No Gods No Masters (Garbage album)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
No Gods No Masters
Garbage - No Gods No Masters.png
Studio album by
Garbage
ReleasedJune 11, 2021 (2021-06-11)
Recorded2020–2021
Studio
Length46:07
Label
  • Stunvolume
  • Infectious Music
Producer
Garbage chronology
Strange Little Birds
(2016) 		No Gods No Masters
(2021)
Singles from No Gods No Masters
  1. "The Men Who Rule the World"
    Released: March 30, 2021
  2. "No Gods No Masters"
    Released: April 28, 2021
  3. "Wolves"
    Released: May 19, 2021
  4. "The Creeps"
    Released: June 17, 2021

No Gods No Masters is the seventh studio album by American rock band Garbage. It was released on June 11, 2021, through the band's own label Stunvolume. The album was distributed worldwide by Infectious Music and BMG and preceded by the lead singles "The Men Who Rule the World", "No Gods No Masters" and "Wolves".[1]

"This is our seventh record, the significant numerology of which affected the DNA of its content: the seven virtues, the seven sorrows, and the seven deadly sins," singer Shirley Manson explained, describing No Gods No Masters as "a critique of the rise of capitalist short-sightedness, racism, sexism and misogyny across the world."[2]

Background[]

In 2017, Garbage recorded and released a standalone digital single titled "No Horses", which the band hinted could be the direction their new material would sound.[3] Writing for Garbage's seventh album began in April 2018, following some preliminary work at Butch Vig's home studio, the band set up space in Palm Springs to write demos.[4] The quartet sketched out the skeleton of the album over two weeks, jamming, experimenting and feeling the songs out.[5] Work was paused in the latter half of 2018, as Garbage marked the twentieth anniversary of their second album Version 2.0 (1998) with the two-month 20 Years Paranoid tour, before reconvening in Los Angeles to finish the project.[5]

In mid-2019, Manson had described the material from the album writing sessions as "cinematic".[6] Drummer Butch Vig remarked on musical references to Roxy Music and The Talking Heads, while also noting that the album was quite eclectic, similar to 2001's Beautiful Garbage, in that each song has its own identity.[7] At first Vig thought the album would go in a more orchestral direction, however this changed when the music was developed further to match the intensity of Manson's vocal.[8] "It's certainly a different-sounding record than our last couple [of albums]. It has lots of guitars, lots of melodies and hooks. It's poppier than the last record," explained Manson, "We were very inspired by the weird, subversive pop of Roxy Music—that was kind of our muse. Not that it sounds anything like Roxy Music, but that was definitely something we thought about a lot."[9] Recording work began in earnest from September until March 2020, when COVID-19 restrictions impacted after the final week of recording.[9] Various bass guitar parts were recorded by Eric Avery, Justin Meldal-Johnsen and Daniel Shulman, all of whom had recorded on previous Garbage albums.

Finishing touches were applied via digital collaboration; the album was mixed throughout July 2020.[10] Final delivery of the album took place in September 2020.[11] No Gods No Masters is self-produced by Garbage, in collaboration with their long-time studio engineer and mixer Billy Bush.[12] The album was mastered by Heba Kadry.[13]

Lyrical content[]

Manson had written most of the lyrics for the album by the end of 2019, with a few finishing touches at the end of the sessions in February/March 2020.[7] Manson had interviewed George Clinton for her podcast The Jump, and was inspired by his P-Funk Mothership concept. This inspired her to write a song based on a scifi Noah's Ark, which became "The Men Who Ruled the World".[14] Manson's podcast interview with Liz Phair also inspired a track ("Flipping the Bird"), where she deliberately pitched her vocal low like Phair.[15] Described as the album's "pop song", and referencing the Two Wolves legend, "Wolves" recalls the power of youth and the danger therein.[16] Title track "No Gods No Masters" came from Manson seeing graffiti on heritage buildings in Santiago, Chile, when she visited during civil demonstrations (estallido social).[17] The song reimagines a future society without corporate greed.[18] "The Creeps" was developed from words Manson had written describing when she was dropped as a solo artist by Interscope, not long after the dissolution of Garbage's deal with Geffen, but had tried for 14 years to use elsewhere.[14] Another personal track "Uncomfortably Me", had been aided by overindulging in mezcal cocktails.[15] The album's press release further states that the lyrical context of the record will touch upon the Black Lives Matter and MeToo movements within the album centrepiece track "Waiting for God",[19] while "Godhead" examines the patriarchal structures at place in modern society.[20] "This City Will Kill You" began as Manson's love song to Los Angeles, but developed into something darker, an "elegy to loss and the past", which she believes is the most sophisticated song that she has ever written.[21] Vig felt that Manson's lyrics were reflective of the current political period, describing them as "kind of dark and edgy"[7] and that the lyrics might not have been explicit and direct had they written the songs ten or fifteen years earlier.[8]

Release[]

No Gods No Masters was announced on March 30, 2021, with pre-orders going live at the same time the audio and music video for "The Men Who Rule the World" were released.[1] A second single, the title track, and its music video, were released digitally on April 28.[22] Third single and video "Wolves" was released on May 19.[16] The album was released on CD and both white and neon green vinyl LP pressings, as well as a deluxe edition featuring a bonus disc of the band's standalone singles released between 2013 and 2018.[2] The deluxe edition was also made available digitally. A Record Store Day pink-vinyl pressing (with alternate coverart) will be made available in a limited edition run of 2,700 units.[2]

On June 17, the music video of "The Creeps" premiered on the band's YouTube channel.[23]

No Gods No Masters will be supported in late 2021 with arena concert tours as guests of both Alanis Morissette and Blondie.[12]

Critical reception[]

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic77/100[24]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic4.5/5 stars[25]
Clash8/10[26]
DIY3.5/5 stars[27]
The Independent3/5 stars[28]
Exclaim!4/5[29]
NME4/5 stars[30]
Pitchfork7.3/10[31]
Rolling Stone3.5/5 stars[32]
Slant Magazine3.5/5 stars[33]

The album was generally well received by critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews and ratings from mainstream critics, the album has received a metascore of 77, based on 21 critic reviews.[24]

Wall of Sound scored the album 8/10, revealing: "There will be those that will argue that this is an anti-male record, and that Garbage have gone too woke. But in reality, it's an anti-power record, and that power needs to be held to account."[34] In the review for AllMusic, Neil Z. Yeung called it "a highlight in their discography and one of their best works to date, a potent and outspoken dose of genre-blending artistry that confidently returns Garbage to their position as a band perpetually ahead of the curve."[25] Clash's Chloe Waterhouse claimed that the album "screams quintessential Garbage, maturing into the political elder sister of their 1995 debut", and that it "feels like listening to Garbage again for the very first time, which is a terrifically thrilling prospect."[26]

Reviewing the album for DIY, Ben Tipple described it as "[b]oth rhythmic and chaotic, it mirrors the frenetic turbulence of the times that have inspired it."[27] Comparing the release to Garbage's previous albums, Pitchfork's Alfred Soto declared it "Faster and friskier than expected, No Gods, No Masters is their strongest album since Version 2.0."[31] In Rolling Stone, Kory Grow stated that "for all of the group's abundant signature moves on No Gods No Masters, the record never feels like a nostalgia bid. That's because after 26 years, Garbage know who they are and are comfortable with themselves."[32]

The Independent's Roisin O'Connor assessed the level of creativity displayed on the album; "On No Gods No Masters, Garbage stretch beyond the gilded cage of their Nineties icon status to reach for something new – often, but not always, to effective ends."[28] In the review for American Songwriter, Hal Horowitz was more critical of the record; "The heightened level of fury and overall frustration about the state of society is admirable. Some might say there is not enough of it in today's music. But that needs to be balanced with songs which beckon you back for another listen, an aspect of the confrontational No Gods No Monsters [sic] that too often falls short."[35]

Track listing[]

All tracks are written by Garbage, except where noted.

Standard edition
No.TitleLength
1."The Men Who Rule the World"4:27
2."The Creeps"3:33
3."Uncomfortably Me"3:16
4."Wolves"4:16
5."Waiting for God"4:04
6."Godhead"4:08
7."Anonymous XXX"4:07
8."A Woman Destroyed"5:32
9."Flipping the Bird"3:37
10."No Gods No Masters"4:31
11."This City Will Kill You"4:36
Total length:46:07
Deluxe edition bonus disc
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."No Horses" 5:23
2."Starman"David Bowie4:08
3."Girls Talk" (featuring Brody Dalle) 3:34
4."Because the Night" (featuring Screaming Females)
4:55
5."On Fire" 5:07
6."The Chemicals" (featuring Brian Aubert) 4:20
7."Destroying Angels" (featuring John Doe and Exene Cervenka)
  • Garbage
  • Doe
  • Cervenka
5:01
8."Time Will Destroy Everything" 4:44
Total length:37:12
LP side one
No.TitleLength
1."The Men Who Rule the World"4:27
2."The Creeps"3:33
3."Uncomfortably Me"3:16
4."Wolves"4:16
5."Anonymous XXX"4:07
6."Waiting for God"4:04
Total length:23:43
LP side two
No.TitleLength
1."Godhead"4:08
2."A Woman Destroyed"5:32
3."Flipping the Bird"3:37
4."No Gods No Masters"4:31
5."This City Will Kill You"4:36
Total length:22:24

Charts[]

Chart performance for No Gods No Masters
Chart (2021) Peak
position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[36] 5
Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[37] 13
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[38] 134
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[39] 10
Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[40] 79
French Albums (SNEP)[41] 40
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[42] 6
Irish Albums (OCC)[43] 42
Italian Albums (FIMI)[44] 63
New Zealand Albums (RMNZ)[45] 34
Portuguese Albums (AFP)[46] 48
Scottish Albums (OCC)[47] 2
Spanish Albums (PROMUSICAE)[48] 35
Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[49] 13
UK Albums (OCC)[50] 5
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[51] 2
US Billboard 200[52] 33
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[53] 3
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[54] 3
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[55] 5

Release history[]

Release dates and formats for No Gods No Masters
Region Date Label Distributor Format(s)
Australia and New Zealand June 11, 2021 Stunvolume Liberator Music[5]
Various
United States and United Kingdom June 10, 2021

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Schaffer, Claire (March 30, 2021). "Garbage Announce New Album 'No Gods No Masters'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Turman, Katherine (March 30, 2021). "Garbage Share 'The Men Who Rule The World,' Announce No Gods No Masters Album". Spin. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  3. ^ Wolgamott, L.Kent (July 14, 2017). "Garbage celebrates two decades with tour". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  4. ^ Young, Alex (March 1, 2018). "Garbage plan to release new album in 2019". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b c "GARBAGE Announce New Album 'No Gods No Masters'". Good Call Live. March 31, 2021. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  6. ^ Trendell, Andrew (June 10, 2019). "Garbage's Shirley Manson: "I don't give a fuck about fame, I don't give a fuck about legacy"". NME. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b c Bayer, Johan (2020-11-11). "In Conversation: Butch Vig Discusses His Career From Nirvana to 5 Billion in Diamonds". Flood. Retrieved 2021-04-13.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b Levy, Piet (2021-06-03). "Butch Vig talks Garbage's 'political' new album, 30th anniversary of Nirvana's 'Nevermind,' mentoring Milwaukee musicians". Milwaukee State Journal. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  9. ^ Jump up to: a b Olivier, Bobby (August 11, 2020). "Shirley Manson on the Misery and Magic of Garbage's Genre-Stomping Debut". Spin. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  10. ^ "Garbage Mixing Album, Done with 7 Songs So Far". Hidden Jams. July 25, 2020. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  11. ^ Natress, Katrina (September 26, 2020). "Shirley Manson Confirms That Garbage's Seventh Album Is Done". Spin. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b Trendell, Andrew (March 30, 2021). "Garbage return with 'The Men Who Rule The World' from new album 'No Gods No Masters'". NME. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  13. ^ "Garbage – "No Gods No Masters"". HebaKedry.com. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b Doherty, Niall (May 7, 2021). "Line One: Shirley Manson". The New Cue. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  15. ^ Jump up to: a b Riley, Phoebe (2021-06-01). "My Ten: Garbage's Shirley Manson Thrives on Unapologetic Heroines". New York Times. Retrieved 2021-06-03.
  16. ^ Jump up to: a b Jones, Damian (2021-05-19). "Listen to Garbage's stomping new single 'Wolves'". NME. Retrieved 2021-05-19.
  17. ^ Blistein, John (April 28, 2021). "Garbage Preview New Album With Title Track 'No Gods No Masters'". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  18. ^ Retig, James (April 28, 2021). "Garbage – "No Gods No Masters"". Stereogum. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  19. ^ Brown, Paul 'Browny' (2021-06-07). "Wall Of Sound – Virtual Hangs: Shirley Manson of Garbage". Wall Of Sound. Retrieved 2021-06-07.
  20. ^ "Garbage Unveil New Single & Video 'No Gods No Masters'". BroadwayWorld. April 28, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  21. ^ Adams, Cameron (2021-06-09). "Master of Her Own Destiny". Australian Advertiser.
  22. ^ Blistein, John (April 28, 2021). "Garbage Preview New Album With Title Track 'No Gods No Masters'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  23. ^ Garbage - The Creeps (Official Video), retrieved 2021-06-17
  24. ^ Jump up to: a b "No Gods No Masters by Garbage – Critic Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  25. ^ Jump up to: a b "Garbage: No Gods No Masters". AllMusic. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  26. ^ Jump up to: a b "Garbage – No Gods No Masters". Clash. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  27. ^ Jump up to: a b "Garbage – No Gods No Masters". DIY. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  28. ^ Jump up to: a b "Album reviews: Garbage – No Gods No Masters, and Maroon 5 – Jordi". The Independent. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  29. ^ "Album Review: Garbage – No Gods No Masters". Exclaim!. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  30. ^ "Garbage – 'No Gods No Masters' review: their best in 20 years (but could only be made now)". NME. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  31. ^ Jump up to: a b Soto, Alfred (June 14, 2021). "Garbage: No Gods No Masters Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  32. ^ Jump up to: a b "Garbage: Garbage Show the World Who's Boss on 'No Gods No Masters'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  33. ^ "Review: Garbage's No Gods No Masters Is a Brash Mix of the Personal and Political". Slant Magazine. Retrieved June 12, 2021.
  34. ^ "Garbage – No Gods No Masters (Album Review)". Wall of Sound. 2021-06-08. Retrieved 2021-06-08.
  35. ^ "Review: Shirley Manson Unleashes Pent Up Vitriol On Garbage's First Album In Five Years". American Songwriter. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  36. ^ "Australiancharts.com – Garbage – No Gods No Masters". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  37. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Garbage – No Gods No Masters" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
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  39. ^ "Ultratop.be – Garbage – No Gods No Masters" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  40. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Garbage – No Gods No Masters" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
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  43. ^ "Official Irish Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  44. ^ "Italiancharts.com – Garbage – No Gods No Masters". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  45. ^ "Charts.nz – Garbage – No Gods No Masters". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
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  49. ^ "Swisscharts.com – Garbage – No Gods No Masters". Hung Medien. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
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  51. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  52. ^ "Garbage Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
  53. ^ "Garbage Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
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  55. ^ "Garbage Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
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