Vocalist Shirley Manson is as assertive and acerbic as ever, tackling many a feminist issue via the four-minute pop song, and essentially condemning men as drunken, violent louts.

Meanwhile, the ever-inventive programmer/percussionist Butch Vig and Manson's other male bandmates tread musical water behind her, only occasionally displaying the sort of creative flashes that characterized Garbage's best work.

Of course, when those moments come -- as they do on Why do You Love Me, Metal Heart and the disturbing title track -- all is forgiven.

After all, Garbage at least continues to tread its own musical water, sounding at every turn like few other bands on the radio dial.

And as long as Manson is able to effectively croon a pretty ballad like Happy Home or spit out vitriol at the narrow-minded as effectively as she does on Sex is not the Enemy, Garbage will at least avoid becoming disposable.

Track Listing:

1. Bad Boyfriend
2. Run Baby Run
3. Right Between the Eyes
4. Why Do You Love Me
5. Bleed Like Me
6. Metal Heart
7. Sex Is Not the Enemy
8. It's All Over But the Crying
9. Boys Wanna Fight
10. Why Don't You Come Over
11. Happy Home
12. Me [CD-ROM Track]