Strange Little Birds
by Garbage
  • Record Label: Vagrant
  • Release Date: Jun 10, 2016
User Score
7.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 40 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 50
  3. Negative: 3 out of 50
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  1. CraigM
    Oct 2, 2017
    8
    Shirley & the guys latest is up there with their best. Emotional, layered and full of studio technical wizardry as expected from a band that features Nevermind genius Butch Vig. It may not tread new ground with familiar themes of insecurity and unrequited love, but with anthemic songs like lead single 'Empty' with it's thunderous guitars, and epic rock ballad 'Night Drive Loneliness',Shirley & the guys latest is up there with their best. Emotional, layered and full of studio technical wizardry as expected from a band that features Nevermind genius Butch Vig. It may not tread new ground with familiar themes of insecurity and unrequited love, but with anthemic songs like lead single 'Empty' with it's thunderous guitars, and epic rock ballad 'Night Drive Loneliness', Garbage prove their unique mix of genres and endless creativity that made them back in the 90's, is still very much evident. Shirley Manson's vocal are also particularly seductive and heart-felt.

    Like Not Your Kind of People before it, the production occasionally can get a bit self-indulgent but overall this is another quality album from the alt-rock pioneers. Garbage are not a band these days you'll hear much on the radio or see advertised on TV, but they shouldn't be passed up in favour of rinse and repeat chart rubbish either.    … Expand
  2. Greggs1993
    Aug 19, 2016
    9
    Twenty-two years later and this bunch are still very much distinguishable in a trade tarnished with posers.

    In a day and age when alt-rock's authenticity is doubted, Garbage create no such incertainty by treating us to mordant guitar crunch and instinctive vocals in a repertoire of tunes which will induce a pleasant flashback to 1995 for many fans. Manson's assertive (if not    Twenty-two years later and this bunch are still very much distinguishable in a trade tarnished with posers.

    In a day and age when alt-rock's authenticity is doubted, Garbage create no such incertainty by treating us to mordant guitar crunch and instinctive vocals in a repertoire of tunes which will induce a pleasant flashback to 1995 for many fans.

    Manson's assertive (if not diaristic) lyrics invite the listener to take a nosedive into her sea of insecurity, channeled through innovative noise constructed by the minds who churned out 'Vow' and 'Queer'.

    Supreme songs are 'Empty', 'Blackout' and 'So We Can Stay Alive'.    … Expand
  3. MrSurrealist
    Jun 21, 2016
    10
    WOW! A true return to form for Garbage. This is their strongest and most cohesive effort since "Version 2.0". Every song on this record is a sonic delight and I was blown away by the complex and layered sound landscapes created by the band. Atmospheric, cinematic and brilliant in so many ways. I'm in love with this band all over again.
  4. longjetty7
    Jun 18, 2016
    7
    Oh how I love that Garbage has returned with another album. Strange Little Birds may not reach the heights of their first two albums (I'm not sure if they ever will), but it's still a pretty good album nonetheless. I've always loved the energy and intensity in their music, so it's nice to hear more of the same Garbage we all know and love. What's cool about Strange Little Birds is that itOh how I love that Garbage has returned with another album. Strange Little Birds may not reach the heights of their first two albums (I'm not sure if they ever will), but it's still a pretty good album nonetheless. I've always loved the energy and intensity in their music, so it's nice to hear more of the same Garbage we all know and love. What's cool about Strange Little Birds is that it sort of feels like a new musical direction for them. Many of the songs are darker, more dramatic, and have longer arrangements than the standard 3.5 minute pop song. I'm sure some of that comes from them maturing musically after having been together for over 20 years, so while this definitely isn't my favorite album of theirs, I still feel like they're bringing something new to the table, and that's perfectly fine with me. I think if they cut out some of the more standard, less energetic songs and just went all out with the drama and darkness, it would be a truly amazing album.

    Standout tracks: Blackout, Night Drive Loneliness    … Expand
  5. jrodfilms
    Jun 16, 2016
    7
    pretty good album with a mix of dark and the usual garbage style. the main single empty i would say is one of the weakest tracks on the album. the first song also sounds like a portishead rip off but in a good way.
  6. Subhumanvow
    Jun 13, 2016
    10
    I can't believe they came back from the shadows and siphoned me back into the 90s. Beautifully produced, and absolutely nostalgic to the T. Love this album.
  7. AshMcAuliffe
    Jun 12, 2016
    9
    Finally! A successor to "Version 2.0." Dark, brooding, haunting and yet strangely uplifting in many places. This album is sure to be in the list of best albums for 2016.
  8. arthurvaz
    Jun 10, 2016
    8
    An interesting combination of love songs, yet the old and pure Garbage gloom mixed up with a sexy spice à la Portishead: "Strange Little Birds" sounds like a breathe of fresh air for those who may feel nostalgic about past decades. "Empty", wisely chosen as the lead single of this new album takes us back to the 90s Garbage and they go way further with The Cure inspired "Blackout" andAn interesting combination of love songs, yet the old and pure Garbage gloom mixed up with a sexy spice à la Portishead: "Strange Little Birds" sounds like a breathe of fresh air for those who may feel nostalgic about past decades. "Empty", wisely chosen as the lead single of this new album takes us back to the 90s Garbage and they go way further with The Cure inspired "Blackout" and "Night Drive Loneliness", which sums up how gold this album is.… Expand
  9. ryeguy7879
    Jun 10, 2016
    8
    Fantastic...easily their best in years. It's poignant, detailed, pensive, personal, atmospheric, sonic, and so much more. "So We Can Stay Alive" is one of the best songs they have ever done. Long live Garbage for another 20 years please. Shirley Manson and company are in no way done with us yet!
  10. EMoushen
    Jun 10, 2016
    9
    They did it! Very happy for the band. Great lyrics and sound. My faves are "Teaching little fingers to play', "Night drive loneliness", "Even Though Our Love Is Doomed"
  11. marcmyworks
    Jun 10, 2016
    9
    Amazingly after 21 years in the business Garbage manages to release an album that is fresh and characteristically dark and experimental. Strange Little Birds is their best album since their debut, projecting sorrow and longing yet still remaining fascinating. Download: The whole album!

Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Most Discussed Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 26
  3. Negative: 0 out of 26
  1. Magnet
    Aug 2, 2016
    70
    “Teaching Little Fingers To Play” is a bit hokey and clichéd. But on “If I Lost You,” the vibe connects massively: Serene loops and swift beats recall vintage Portishead, while Manson’s lyrical meditation on insecurity is stark, vulnerable and remarkably honest. [No. 132, p.53]
  2. Record Collector
    Jul 15, 2016
    80
    While this is unlikely to achieve the same status [as their debut], it proves that these veterans are definitely not yet ready for the scrapheap.
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  3. Clash Music
    Jul 5, 2016
    70
    There are a few moments that feel oddly dated or too by-the-numbers, but otherwise, this is an engaging return from the gothic dance-rock four-piece.
    Read full review
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