New music: Ann Wilson & Tripsitter, Styx, Garbage

A trio of new releases are featured in my column this week, including titles featuring Ann Wilson & Tripsitter, Styx and Garbage.

Artist: Ann Wilson & Tripsitter

Title: Live In Concert (Mercury Studios)

You might like if you enjoy: Ann Wilson, Heart

Tell me more: Heart lead singer Ann Wilson and her four-member band Tripsitter made the most of a performance at Nashville's Brooklyn Bowl in July 2023, performing a winning mix of classic Heart selections as well as material from that year's album Another Door and reworked covers from several Rock and Roll Hall of Fame favorites. The concert was filmed and originally aired on PBS in November 2023, and is now newly available on Blu-ray as well as on digital video. One of rock music's all-time great vocalists, Wilson and company are outstanding across the 90-minute performance. Highlights include the buoyant opener "Crazy On You," the Renaissance-flavored rock ballad "This Is Now," the tender "Miss One & Only" (the latter two songs from Another Door), a fiery take on Led Zeppelin's"Immigrant Song" showcasing Tripsitter and an artful reading of Heart's beloved genre-defying gem "Mistral Wind." Wilson's impressive soprano is also showcased in a powerful version of John Lennon's emotive "Isolation" and the set-ending rock classic "Barracuda."  Information: AnnWilson.com and MercuryStudios.co.

Artist: Styx

Title: Circling From Above (Alpha Dog 2T/UMe)

You might like if you enjoy: Styx, Asia, Queen

Tell me more: Styx is back with the band's 18th studio album, Circling From Above, an ambitious concept album whose 13 tracks look at the human experience as explored through the dissimilar worlds of modern technology and nature. The concept album is an intoxicating listen, with the band's signature sound celebrated via top-tier songs featuring the contributions from all seven members of Styx — founding guitarist-vocalist James "JY" Young, guitarist-vocalist Tommy Shaw, original bassist Chuck Panozzo, drummer Todd Sucherman, keyboardist-vocalist Lawrence Gowan, guitarist-vocalist Will Evankovich and bassist Terry Gowan. Among my favorite tracks on the first half of the disc are the soaring "Build and Destroy" featuring Gowan's tenor lead vocals, the introspective rocker "Michigan" featuring Shaw's urgent vocals and the band's lush harmonies, the prog rock foray "King of Love" and beautiful acoustic-flavored "Forgive." The momentum of the masterwork continues with strong originals including the Celtic-mining "Blue Eyed Raven," music hall delight "She Knows," resplendent "Ease Your Mind" and the mellifluous "The Things That You Said." The album closes with the wonderfully bluesy "We Lost the Wheel Again" and genuinely introspective "Only You Can Decide." According to a media release, "the album was produced by Evankovich, who also helmed the band's previous two albums before becoming an official member in 2022. All 13 songs were penned in various combinations by the band's songwriting triumvirate of Shaw, Evankovich and Gowan." While the album won't be officially available on streaming or digital outlets until July 18, Circling From Above CD and vinyl copies are available for immediate delivery when purchased via StyxWorld.com. Fans can also purchase physical copies of the album on any of the band's "Brotherhood of Rock" tour dates. Information: StyxWorld.com.

Artist: Garbage

Title: Let All That We Imagine Be the Light (BMG)

You might like if you enjoy: The Pretenders, Garbage

Tell me more: Garbage is back with Let All That We Imagine Be The Light, the groundbreaking band's eighth studio album and one of the truly great discs of 2025. The 10-track album produced by the quartet and longtime engineer Billy Bush is filled with originals that are as literate as they are powerful; the songs here crafted with in-the-pocket rhythms, sharp guitar layers, an electronic veneer, nuanced dynamics, soaring choruses and singer Shirley Manson's signature vocals all delivered in the service of strong convictions. Among the terrific cuts on the album is the sumptuous opener "There's No Future in Optimism" with its mix of electronica and rock textures surrounding Manson's enticing vocals, the driving electronic rocker "Get Out My Face AKA Bad Kitty," fiery "Chinese Fire Horse" looking at the bias faced by women as they grow older, the tender "Hold," experimental rocker "Radical" and thought-provoking closer "The Day That I Met God." On Let All That We Imagine Be The Light, Manson, Duke Erikson (guitar, bass, keyboards), Steve Marker (guitar, keyboards) and Butch Vig (drums, percussion) prove they continue to chart the singular course of one of the world's most ambitious and important modern rock bands. Information: garbage.com.

Robert Kinsler

Garbage revisits glorious past; previews future in Las Vegas

Garbage performing in Las Vegas on Oct. 5, 2018.

Garbage, Rituals Of Mine
Where: The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas
When: Friday, October 6, 2018
Next: Garbage will headline at The Marquee Theatre in Tempe, Arizona on Oct. 7. 
Information: Garbage is on tour through Nov. 3, 2018. For all of the band's upcoming tour dates and ticket information, visit Garbage.com



Performing for just under two hours on Friday night, Garbage performed a wide-ranging concert that celebrated the band's 25-year history while previewing a memorable new song that came in the encore.

Singer Shirley Manson and drummer Butch Vig of Garbage.

Garbage began its current tour in late September in connection with the 20th anniversary of band's terrific sophomore album Version 2.0 (originally released in May 1998), which was re-released as a must-own and expanded deluxe edition in June 2018. That album's original track listing and some of the wonderful B-sides and bonus tracks the quartet recorded in the late 1990s (also included on the recent deluxe edition) were presented at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas resort on Friday night, Oct. 5, 2018. 

Shirley Manson caught up in the moment at The
Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Through the fast-moving fog of time it's easy to forget how groundbreaking Garbage was when they emerged with their self-titled debut album in August 1995. In an era personified by American grunge (Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, etc.) and a testosterone-fueled sonic aesthetic of the day, here was a band fronted by Scottish female singer Shirley Manson where the bona fide power of modern rock was artfully fused with electronica and an emphasis on creating masterful songs. In addition to Manson (lead vocals, guitar), top-tier American musicians Duke Erikson (guitar, keyboards), Steve Marker (guitar) and Butch Vig (percussion) have always been fully involved in the creation and production of the troupe's original material. 

Watching Garbage perform in Las Vegas was to be fully reminded how well the outfit's songcraft and talents as musicians have endured. Manson — with eye-catching makeup to match her dramatic attire — was engaged with the audience and relaxed even when their was a technical glitch forcing the band to re-start "Special" early on. "Let's take a moment to recover," Manson mused. "Good evening Las Vegas."

The subsequent 2.0 performance of "Special" was epic and thrilled the crowd, the song's iconic verses and soaring choruses hitting the collective mark. That masterful performance was followed by decidedly dark, post-goth take on the group's theme song for the 1999 James Bond flick "The World Is Not Enough." That alluring track had an almost symphonic feel, with the song growing in power to an impact-filled finale.

There was also a sense of paying tribute to seminal artists who came before Garbage, laying the groundwork for bands willing to make their mark in rock's rich tapestry. Early in the wide, on the band's cool "Wicked Ways" Garbage suddenly segued into Depeche Mode's blues rocker "Personal Jesus." Garbage pulled off a similar feat several times later in the set, finishing off the forceful rocker "13x Forever" with a bit of The Kinks' wistful 1965 hit "Tired of Waiting for You." Garbage ended its regular set with the fiery "You Look So Fine," wrapped up with a reworked slice of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams."

Shirley Manson and Butch Vig of Garbage in the final moments
of the band's memorable set in Las Vegas on Oct. 5, 2018.

"It's not a normal Garbage set," Manson explained before the band's performance of "Hammering In My Head," a song she added was the "only party song we've ever written." She then noted that this night would feature a set of songs "you've never heard."

Guitarist Duke Erikson.

Manson wasn't kidding about this night's foray into distant musical worlds. Among the cuts showcased was the group's absolutely stunning take on the Big Star classic "Thirteen" — the 1972 song chronicling adolescence retained its melancholy-draped moodscape even while reworked with Garbage's signature sound. Another strong cover, The Seeds' 1965 "Can't Seem To Make You Mine," included Manson even pounding out keyboards to fire up the garage rock classic.

For sure, many fans on hand at The Chelsea responded loudest with the performance of the band's best-known material ("Special," "I Think I'm Paranoid," "Push It"), but this writer was most impressed by the eclectic mix of originals and covers, played with a sense of artistry and pure fun.

Garbage delivered a solid three-song encore to cap a great concert, with the simmering rocker "The Trick Is To Keep Breathing," introspective 2017 original "No Horses" and the night-ending electronica-flavored "Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)."

Combine the musical instincts of Warpaint, Eddie Vedder and Björk and you might well come up with Sacramento, California' duo Rituals Of Mine. Performing a 30-minute set of hard-hitting songs whose lyrical tides dealt mostly with relationships, the crowd welcomed and cheered the twosome's high-octane electronica/rock fusion. 

Review and photography by Robert Kinsler

Garbage Setlist at The Chelsea on October 5, 2018

1. Deadwood
2. Temptation Waits
3. Wicked Ways (with Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" snippet)
4. Special
5. The World Is Not Enough
6. 13x Forever (with The Kinks' "Tired of Waiting for You" snippet)
7. Get Busy With the Fizzy
8. Hammering In My Head
9. Medication
10. Thirteen (Big Star cover)
11. Can't Seem To Make You Mine (The Seeds cover)
12. I Think I'm Paranoid
13. Sleep Together
14. Dumb
15. Soldier Through This
16. Lick The Pavement
17. Push It
18. When I Grow Up
19. You Look So Fine (with Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" snippet)
Encore
20. The Trick Is To Keep Breathing
21. No Horses
22. Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)

Garbage set to release 'Strange Little Birds' on June 10

Garbage was terrific when I caught them in concert last October, and I am excited with the news that the band is set to release a new album on June 10, 2016. Here is all the information, as well as the cover artwork for Strange Little Birds.

GARBAGE ANNOUNCE STRANGE LITTLE BIRDS 

 

BAND'S HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED SIXTH STUDIO ALBUM TO BE RELEASED JUNE 10TH ON STUNVOLUME

Garbage (Shirley Manson, Steve Marker, Duke Erikson and Butch Vig) today announced Strange Little Birds, their sixth studio album, which will be released on June 10, 2016 on the band's own label STUNVOLUME. The band recently shared the title via Twitter, and today released the tracklisting and artwork. The album, produced by the band, is the follow up to 2012's heralded Not Your Kind of People.

 

Working initially in Vig's basement and then at Red Razor Sounds in Los Angeles, Garbage drew on a variety of sources, from their recent fan letters back to the albums they loved growing up.  "The guiding principle was keeping it fresh, and relying on instinct both lyrically and musically", said frontwoman Shirley Manson.  Strange Little Birds is "less fussed over" than anything Garbage has ever made. "We fell in love with immediacy," adds Vig.

 

Some will hear echoes of Garbage's 1995 debut album in Strange Little Birds - including Manson herself. "To me, this record, funnily enough, has the most to do with the first record than any of the previous records," she says. "It's getting back to that beginner's headspace." "In part," she says, that's a result of not having anyone to answer to."

 

Garbage will perform at various festivals and headlining shows across Europe this summer. See below for confirmed dates and stay tuned for additional live dates to be announced in the coming weeks.

 

STRANGE LITTLE BIRDS TRACKLISTING 

 

Photo credit: Joseph Cultice

1.     Sometimes

2.     Empty

3.     Blackout

4.     If I Lost You

5.     Night Drive Loneliness

6.     Even Though Our Love Is Doomed

7.     Magnetized

8.     We Never Tell

9.     So We Can Stay Alive

10.  Teaching Little Fingers To Play

11.  Amends  

LIVE DATES

 

May 24 - La Cartonnerie ­- Reims, France

May 26 - Rock im Revier Festival - Dortmund, Germany

May 27 - Women Of The World Festival - Frankfurt, Germany

May 28 - Rockavaria Festival - Munich, Germany

May 30 - The Paradiso - Amsterdam, Holland

May 31 - Den Atelier - Luxembourg, Luxembourg

June 1 - Caribana Festival - Nyon, Switzerland

June 3 - Le Radiant - Lyon, France

June 4 - Montereau Confluence Festival - Montereau, France

June 5 - La Belle Electrique - Grenoble, France

June 7 - Center Urbane Kulture Kino Siska - Ljubljana, Slovenia

June 8 - Fabrique - Milan, Italy

June 10 - Nova Rock Festival - Nickelsdorf, Austria

June 13 - Troxy - London, UK

June 14 - Rock City - Nottingham, UK

August 8 - Lokerse Festival - Lokeren, Belgium

August 10 - A Summer's Tale - Luhmühlen, Germany 

 

ABOUT GARBAGE

Garbage is Shirley Manson, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig. After forming in Madison, WI, Garbage released their self-titled debut album in 1995. The band's unique sound and provocative visual aesthetic, inspired massive worldwide attention and success. Their follow up album, Version 2.0, released in 1998, topped charts all over the world and garnered multiple Grammy Award nominations including Album Of The Year. Garbage went on to release two more albums: 2001's Beautiful Garbage and 2005's Bleed Like Me, the latter of which earned the band its highest chart position with a No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. After a 7-year hiatus, the band released their fifth studio album Not Your Kind of People in 2012 on their independent record label, STUNVOLUME. The album was named one of Rolling Stone magazine's Top 50 Albums of 2012 and was hailed as the "alternative to everything," by Pitchfork. Garbage has sold over 12 million albums worldwide and performed in over thirty-five countries. Last year the band celebrated its 20th anniversary with their SOLD OUT '20 Years Queer' world tour and the release of a special 20th anniversary edition of their debut album, re-mastered and featuring previously unreleased material. 

http://garbage.com

Garbage's 20th Anniversary Edition of debut album is out today

I am super excited to see Garbage at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles next week! And I am also looking forward to getting my hands on the deluxe 20th anniversary edition of the band's debut, available today!

Photo Credit: Joseph Cultice Garbage's 20th Anniversary edition of the band's self-titled debut is available today 20 Years Queer Tour kicks off next week

"Game-changing record" - Rolling Stone   "Their seminal alt-pop record" - SPIN   "Together, Garbage's mission was to upend-or queer, if you will-alternative rock. In 1995 their debut, Garbage, did exactly that, with a tightly orchestrated technicolor riot of electronica, rock, hip-hop, dance, and pop." - Noisey   "It's an important record for many reasons, not the least of which is that it helped bridge the gap between noisy alternative rock and mainstream pop - incorporating everything from burgeoning electronica to buzz-saw guitars and just the slightest whiffs of trip-hoppy industrial music." -Stereogum LOS ANGELES, CA -October 2, 2015 -In celebration of its historical debut, Garbage's special 20th Anniversary Edition of their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album is available in stores and at all digital retailers today. The new version has been re-mastered from the original analog tapes and features all of the remixes and previously unreleased tracks from the lauded album. To purchase the CD package, click HERE. To purchase digital album configurations click HERE.  For a complete list of the available album configurations (digital and physical) see below or click HERE.  Garbage will also be releasing a double vinyl LP available October 30 in Europe. A limited edition triple-vinyl LP with an autographed band photo is only available for pre-order HERE beginning today in time for a December holiday delivery.    To celebrate 20 years as a band, next week Garbage will embark on a special U.S. and European Anniversary Tour. Christened the 20 Years Queer Tour, the band will play their debut album in its entirety for the first time. The trek kicks off on October 6th in San Diego and wrap up in Edinburgh on November 14. A full list of dates can be found below.   Tickets are available for purchase now. Check Garbage.com for additional ticketing information. Torres will support on their U.S. dates and Dutch Uncles will support in Europe. The band is offering VIP experience packages for the U.S. tour through Adventures in Wonderland. Offers include premium seating, sound check access, meet and greets, soundboard viewing, and exclusive merchandise.     Garbage released their genre defying, groundbreaking debut on August 15, 1995 at a time when grunge music dominated the airwaves and mainstream culture. Their distinctive approach to songwriting and production - blending elements of rock, pop and electronic music - captured the attention of critics and fans all over the world. The album spawned multiple hits including: "Vow," "Queer," "Stupid Girl" and "Only Happy When It Rains." It spent more than a year on both the U.S. and U.K. charts, received multi-platinum certifications around the world and was nominated for GRAMMY® Awards including Best New Artist and Best Rock Song ("Stupid Girl"). The album went on to sell over 4 million copies worldwide. The 20th Anniversary Edition of Garbage is available in the following configurations: DIGITAL   -Garbage 20th Anniversary Standard Edition (Remastered) (12 tracks) -Garbage 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Remastered) (original 12 tracks + 9 G-sides) -Garbage 20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition (Remastered) (original 12 tracks + 9 G-sides + 29 Remixes + 12 Alternate Versions):    PHYSICAL   -Garbage 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Remastered) (CD 1: Garbage original 12 tracks / CD2: 9 G-Sides) Garbage's debut album remastered from the original analogue tapes. Includes- "g-sides"compilation.   -Garbage 20th Anniversary Standard Edition (Remastered) (2LP: Garbage original 12 tracks) (To be released ex-North America on October 30th) Double LP of Garbage's debut album remastered from the original analog tapes. Includes download card.   -Garbage 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Remastered) (3LP box set: Garbage original 12 tracks / G-sides / fan zine / autographed photo of band) (To be released ex-North America in December, currently available for pre-order) Garbage's debut album remastered from the original analogue tapes. 180gm Vinyl - Exclusive limited edition fan generated zine. Includes "g-sides"compilation. Includes download card and autographed photo of band.   UNRELEASED TRACKS (on digital super deluxe edition)   "Vow"(Joan of Ark Mix) "Vow"(Stripped Down Mix) "Vow"(Tuesday Night Club Mix) "Fix Me Now"(Alternate Subbass Mix) "Subhuman"(Supersize Mix) "#1 Crush"(Early Demo Mix) "Strokes of Luck"(Early Demo Mix) "My Lovers Box"(Early Demo Mix) "Not My Idea'(Early Demo Mix) "Only Happy When It Rains"(Early Demo Mix) "Supervixen"(Early Demo Mix)   US TOUR October 6, 2015 San Diego, CA Humphrey's Concerts By the Bay October 7, 2015 Oakland, CA Fox Theater October 8, 2015 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre October 10, 2015 Las Vegas, NV Blvd Pool @ Cosmopolitan Hotel October 13, 2015 Houston, TX Bayou Music Center October 14, 2015 Austin, TX Stubb's Waller Creek Amphitheater October 15, 2015 Dallas, TX South Side Ballroom October 17, 2015 Chicago, IL The Riviera Theatre October 18, 2015 Madison, WI Orpheum October 19, 2015 Royal Oak, MI Royal Oak Theater October 21, 2015 Boston, MA Orpheum October 23, 2015 Westbury, NY The Space @ Westbury October 24, 2015 Brooklyn, NY Kings Theater October 26, 2015 Toronto, ON Phoenix Concert Theatre October 28, 2015 Washington, DC 9:30 Club October 29, 2015 Washington, DC 9:30 Club EUROPEAN TOUR October 31, 2015 Cologne, Germany Palladium November 2, 2015 Copenhagen, Denmark Store Vega November 4, 2015 Tillburg, Holland 013 November 5, 2015 Brussels, Belgium Forest National November 7, 2015 Paris, France Zenith November 8, 2015 London, UK Brixton Academy November 9, 2015 London, UK Brixton Academy November 11, 2015 Moscow, Russia Crocus City Hall* November 13, 2015 Manchester, UK Academy November 14, 2015 Edinburgh, UK Usher Hall *Support TBC     ABOUT GARBAGE Garbage is Shirley Manson, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig. After forming in Madison, WI, Garbage released their self-titled debut album in 1995. The band's unique sound and provocative visual aesthetic, inspired massive worldwide attention and success. Their follow up album, Version 2.0, released in 1998, topped charts all over the world and garnered multiple GRAMMY Award®nominations including Album Of The Year. Garbage went on to release two more albums: 2001's Beautiful Garbage and 2005's Bleed Like Me, the latter which earned the band its highest chart position with a No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart. After a 7-year hiatus, the band released their fifth studio album Not Your Kind of Peoplein 2012 on their independent record label, Stun Volume. The album was named one of Rolling Stone magazine's Top 50 Albums of 2012and was hailed as the "alternative to everything,"by Pitchfork. Garbage has sold over 12 million albums worldwide and performed in over thirty-five countries. The band is currently working on their sixth studio album, set for release early next year. http://garbage.com