For many years,
Metallica's 1987 EP
Garage Days Re-Revisited was the most sought-after item in their catalog; it was constantly bootlegged in the '90s, and often supplemented by a host of covers
Metallica had released on singles and compilations throughout the years. By 1998, the band had understandably grown frustrated with this situation and decided to confront the problem head-on by reissuing all these rarities. Savvy businessmen that they are, they also realized they needed to give hardcore fans who already owned all the covers a reason to purchase the new set -- hence, the expansion of the
Garage Days EP to the double-disc blowout
Garage, Inc. The second disc's rarities are balanced by the first disc's new covers, the bulk of which were recorded following the
Reload tour. It shouldn't come as a surprise that these covers recall the blooze 'n' boogie heavy rock of the Loads, but what is a surprise is that
Metallica seems to have found their footing in this style through other people's songs. Whether it's
Bob Seger,
Blue Öyster Cult,
Thin Lizzy,
Nick Cave, or the all-star jam on
Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Tuesday's Gone," the band effortlessly makes the songs seem like their own, through a bizarre mix of respect and ballsy irreverence. Sure, it may not be nearly as raw as early
Metallica, but it is a better listen than either of the Load records. And if raw is what you want, the equally diverse disc two provides all the thrills you could hope for. At one time, it might have seemed a little odd that
Metallica would cover
Budgie,
Diamond Head,
the Misfits, and
Queen, but if
Garage, Inc. proves anything, it's that the group's musical instincts, risks, and sense of humor have made them the greatest metal band of the '80s and '90s. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine