Few albums have the definitive touch of ending before they ever truly begin. Just when there is the feeling that the album is about to truly take off, it recedes and abruptly ends and leaves the listener wanting more with refusal to accept “no” for an answer. Every song is perfect, if not near perfect, and instantly addictive. To stop the album would be a crime against the music world. Garbage has produced such an album.

The techno and dance beats that once defined the Garbage sound have taken a backseat. Instead, the band focuses on rock with guitars and notable drum beats instead of relying on synthesizers to produce their recognizable sound.

Lead singer and resident redhead Shirley Manson fronts the band with her sultry vocals, which reek of a sophisticated style of being emotionally beaten and bruised. Her pain is heard on “Happy Home,” while her possibly sexually deprived side is eminent on “Sex is Not the Enemy.” “You should see my scars,” Manson whispers on the title track. No need to see them. They are apparent in the music.

Butch Vig keeps the rhythm in check while adding power to songs, yet he doesn’t allow them to slip into past Garbage styles. Dave Grohl adds his touch to the snares on the album opener “Bad Boyfriend” and sets the precedent for what is to follow. Guitarists Steve Marker and Duke Erikson continue to add distortion to every chorus and complement Manson’s vocals with dexterity and prestige.

“Boys Wanna Fight” is the highlight of the album, with Manson cheerfully singing “the boys wanna fight/ but the girls are happy to dance all night,” and the dance sound that Garbage is known for takes the wheel for one track and allows the true fans to revel in the catchy hooks of power-pop stardom.

“Baby, we’re done,” Manson croons on, “It’s All Over but the Crying.” Let’s hope Manson and company are lying.