Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. 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. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. '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.
  5. Absolute Garbage makes a fine reminiscence, a gift from a party that was fun for its time but left a nasty hangover.
  6. Under The Radar
    70
    This set combines the best of the best for a mostly killer no-filler collection [Summer 2007, p. 88]
  7. Urb
    70
    Far better than the Cranberries in retrospect. [Sep/Oct 2007, p.131]
User Score
8.6

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 36
  2. Negative: 3 out of 36
  1. 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. 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. 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 »