Absolute Garbage
by Garbage
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. AllMusic
    70
    The only thing lacking after the debut were the pop songs. This was evident with each successive proper album, but this flaw is put into too sharp of a relief on Absolute Garbage.
  2. Blender
    60
    The bonus disc of dance remixes merely piles another layer of fastidiousness atop the already epically fussed-over tracks. [2007 Aug, p.120]
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  3. Pitchfork
    53
    The band's seemingly desperate to reinvigorate their cultural cachet, but Absolute Garbage's latter half emphasizes the depths they've fallen.
  5. Slant Magazine
    80
    'Tell Me Where It Hurts' is an undeniable sign that, despite their extended hiatuses and internal turmoil, Garbage is very much alive with ideas and ambition.
  6. Uncut
    60
    Remarkably extending to 18 tracks, Absolute… traces the discography from the wide-screen Mary Chain of 'Only Happy When It Rains' to the Bond theme 'The World Is Not Enough' and the Spectorish strings of this year’s comeback, 'Tell Me Where it Hurts'--though 2001’s cute 'Androgyny' is an odd omission.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    60
    The chronological running order of Absolute Garbage is also unfortunate as it renders the CD impotent halfway through.
  8. musicOMH.com
    80
    It's a deserved retrospective, and serves a reminder of how, in the mid 1990s, the band had album buyers eating out of the palms of their hands.
  9. The Guardian
    40
    Imagine a grouchy, surly-lipped teenager who becomes someone devilishly, deliciously dramatic. Then age does wither them, and the years don't half bloody condemn them.
  10. Under The Radar
    70
    This set combines the best of the best for a mostly killer no-filler collection [Summer 2007, p. 88]
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  11. PopMatters
    90
    The sequencing is what makes this disc such a divine pleasure: we get to hear a band grow from grinning upstarts to tension-battered road warriors.
  12. Urb
    70
    Far better than the Cranberries in retrospect. [Sep/Oct 2007, p.131]
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  13. Stylus Magazine
    75
    Absolute Garbage makes a fine reminiscence, a gift from a party that was fun for its time but left a nasty hangover.

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Most Shared Album of 2007

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 36
  3. Negative: 3 out of 36
  1. marcmyworks
    Feb 9, 2014
    9
    A great compilation from a great band. Some of the remastering has taken the sparkle from the original tracks but overall this is truly aA great compilation from a great band. Some of the remastering has taken the sparkle from the original tracks but overall this is truly a wonderful album from one of the best bands ever.… Full Review »
  2. ofscar
    Jul 11, 2013
    8
    An interesting and captivating look at Garbage's catalog. I do feel that the tracks were not put in the right order, with the grungey soundsAn interesting and captivating look at Garbage's catalog. I do feel that the tracks were not put in the right order, with the grungey sounds of the first two albums being unfairly spliced with the poppy tracks of Beautiful Garbage in a way that undermined both.… Full Review »
  3. ScarTissue1990
    Mar 11, 2012
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. I loved it, but it pissed me off that they didn't put "Breaking Up the Girl" on it.. But out of it all, It is an amazing compilation of their previous work!… Full Review »
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