Stimulator is a band that sometimes sounds a lot like Garbage (meaning the band, not trash and/or rubbish). They've also got the same setup where it's a sexy female singer fronting a bunch of dudes playing somewhat industrialized alternative rock. Being a fan of rock bands with female vocalists, I thought they were pretty cool, even if they do borrow a bit to much from the Garbage bin. The first track, "78 Stimulator" is totally Garbage-like with its vocal-synthesized pop-industrial sound, and "Magic" and the cheesy-horned "In My System" are like poppier-Garbage tracks from their more recent records.
The good news is that Stimulator is able to step out of the Garbage mold and dabble with a number of different styles with impressive results. For those looking for something to dance to, "How Far Would You Go?" and the No-Doubt-"Hella-Good"-sounding "Let's Hook Up" are great party starters. However, my favorites are the Nine Inch Nail-like "On Top of the World," and the real standout rocker, "Just Like a Girl," which has a chorus reminiscent of something from A Perfect Circle. They show off their goth chops with the ballads, "New Vampire" and the closing track, "My Beautiful Muse." Sure, most people haven't heard of Stimulator and maybe never will, but for fans of female-fronted modern rockers from Garbage to Evanescence this one is worth a shot.