2001's beautifulgarbage LP met with a decidedly muted response from critics as well as fans of Garbage, and the struggle to nail a stronger follow-up has reportedly seen the band experiencing Metallica-style tantrums, walk-outs and near-splits. All this NME-titillating drama aside, does Bleed Like Me actually hit the spot?

Our initial exposure to this renewed vigour was the slightly uninspiring Why Do You Love Me single, but it's a relief to find that this is actually one of the LP's weakest tracks, and an odd choice for the first single. The splattering rock of opener Bad Boyfriend, featuring Dave Grohl on drums, is a far finer example of the "back to basics" agenda they're going for - strapping on the guitars and cranking up the amps to blow away the cobwebs which have hung dustily about their career of late.

Run Baby Run is another of the highlights lurking within - so reminiscent of New Order's uplifting, bass-driven melodies, that we had to double-check the credits for mentions of Peter Hook and co. There are tender moments to enjoy, too, such as the spacey ballad It's All Over But The Crying and the tightly-controlled, dramatic title track Bleed Like Me.

Let's just hope they make it to album number five without having to borrow Metallica's band therapist...