Let All That We Imagine Be the Light

ガービッジ8枚目のスタジオ・アルバム

LAのRed Razor Sounds、Butch VigのスタジオGrunge Is Dead、そしてShirley Mansonのベッドルームで録音された。バンドと長年エンジニアを務めてきたBilly Bushによってプロデュースされた本作。紛れもなくガービッジの作品といえる、彼らの特徴のすべてがここにある。大きく角張ったギター、性格で推進力のあるビート、映画のようなサウンドスケープがすべてShirley Mansonの表現力豊かな声の下に潜んでいる。
ガービッジはShirley Manson、Duke Erikson、Steve Marker、ドラマーのButch Vigの4人のオリジナル・メンバーで構成されており、1995年の結成以来30年間でアルバムの売上は2,000万枚を超えている。

Following their energized, politically charged seventh set, No Gods No Masters, alternative rock trailblazers Garbage turned in another timely examination of a burning world, Let All That We Imagine Be the Light. Described by the band as an "uplifting" response to the global upheaval at the time of release, the sonics are not quite as chipper and wide-eyed as that might imply. Confident and driven, its a potent rallying cry aimed at fighting the future -- whether that be the chaos around us or the inevitability of time and mortality -- soundtracked by their signature blend of jagged guitar riffs, elastic bass, precision drumming, and electronic-kissed atmospherics that are all held together by Shirley Mansons inimitable vocals. The towering opening track, "Theres No Future in Optimism," is a noisy, thrilling thrust into the albums confrontational landscape, setting the scene for the synth-washed "Hold" and "Have We Met (The Void)," which push the cinematic scope to a throbbing peak, recalling the cyber-sexy sounds of Version 2.0. The deeply personal "Sisyphus" floats atop buzzing synths and trip-hoppy scratches, with Mansons ethereal vocals echoing catalog highlights like "You Look So Fine," while the fever dream of "The Day That I Met God" calls upon faith and hope. Elsewhere, the subdued, midtempo breathers "Radical" and "Love to Give" push love and unity to the fore, just as the menacing, post-punk groover "Get Out My Face AKA Bad Kitty" and the biting "R U Happy Now" crank up the vitriol, taking aim at the patriarchy and the sociopolitical state of the U.S.A. Theres no ambiguity here as Manson sings, "Make no mistake, friends, they hate your women/They rob your children and they love their guns." Despite the focus on things that are beyond our control, there is a glimmer of optimism woven throughout, which reveals itself after repeated listens. "If youre ready for love," invites Manson, then Garbage is prepared to stand with you to face the challenges thrown our way. Let All That We Imagine Be the Light is another fantastic 2020s offering from this masterful quartet, further solidifying their place as alt-rock royalty. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

結成から32年。休止期間も挿みながら、活動が始まると、精力的にリリースを重ねるガービッジの8作目。こんな時代だからこそとポジティヴなメッセージを歌いながら、サウンドはダークウェイヴ～ゴスというところに捻りがある。シャーリー・マンソンの歌声は相変わらずクールだ。"Have We Met(The Void)"はかつてのユーリズミックスを連想させたりも。
bounce (C)山口智男