All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

L.A. Weekly

The sound of a band blissfully uncoiling under the sun of self-assurance.

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Billboard

One of the year's best.

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All Music Guide

It's unlikely to storm the charts like their first two records, especially since there aren't standout singles like on the earlier albums, but overall the record works better, perhaps their best album.

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Q Magazine

Sharp, seductive music from a band at their peak. [Oct 2001, p.119]

Entertainment Weekly

If you didn't know better, you'd think you were listening to a compilation, not a band album.

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Mojo

We could probably live without at least one of the three lengthy, slightly prosaic tracks that tail-end proceedings, but stand-outs Cup Of Coffee and Androgyny more than compensate. [Nov 2001, p.116]

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Garbage is savvier than most in cobbling together the sounds of its influences.

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Sonicnet

Garbage have finally discovered a hint of the blood-pumping human heart underneath their icy exterior.

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E! Online

The treasures in this latest pile of Garbage may not be as apparent as they were in the past, but the goodies are still there.

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Blender

The Garbage machine doesn't always function so pristinely. [Oct/Nov 2001, p.105]

HOB.com

With all that studio experience and expertise, Garbage inevitably sounds slicker than a bobsled track. But it can become a little too slick: the flawless sound often only exposes and exacerbates their shortcomings as writers.

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Alternative Press

The abundance of derivative electronic tricks diminishes Beautiful's successful updates of Garbage's sound. [Nov 2001, p.73]

Armchair DJ

It's as if there's an optimal number of musical ideas per song, and the album falls apart when the number spikes too high - or dips too low.

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Dot Music

Gone are the likes of 'Queer' or 'Subhuman', there's no ummph or intelligence. In straining to achieve a smarter, more mature album the band have created the most tawdry epitaph possible.

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New Musical Express

It's good in flashes but frighteningly unstable.

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Spin Cycle

This time around, the Garbage tradition of borrowing from all over the map has produced unfocused and derivative results.

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PopMatters

For the first time in their history, Garbage sounds like they just want to fit in. The problem is that they do.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 26 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jeremy F. gave it an8:
I think this is a fantastic album. The electric outfit suits them well. I think it's my favorite album, but the only problem is that it seems a little phony. This is not the core, gritty Garbage. But I really love it. I love Shut Your Mouth, Cup Of Coffee, Drive You home, Cherry Lips, and Nobody Loves You. I think that if they released a mainly-slow-song record (ie: Cup of Coffee, Can't Cry These Tears Anymore) it would be nearly perfect, since their slower-paced numbers ironically tend to work to better.

Giuseppe M. gave it a10:
Perfectly eclectic sophisticated album.

Austin A gave it an8:
Beautiful indeed.

levvy gave it a5:
An absolute mess. It has its moments (ie Cup of Coffee, Parade, Drive You Home, Like a Rose...) but overall: their worst album to date.

Louis gave it a10:
This ius the best garbage album ever made. It is the whole reason why i got into the band. It is electronica-rock at it's best. This band really knows how to deliver good talented music worth buying no matter what genre they cover!

Randy B gave it a9:
beautifulgarbage is the type of artistic endeavor that succeeds admirably. It sees Garbage completely revel in the pop sound, and because there is meaning behind it, it blows regular pop artists out of the water. Shirley Manson's lyrics become vulnerable and wrenching in some ("Nobody Loves You"; "Cup of Coffee"; Drive You Home") and remain as fierce as they ever were in others ("Shut Your Mouth"; "Silence is Golden") Some might not be able to appreciate it, but beautifulgarbage makes pop listenable. And I'm sorry, but Garbage can never be interchangable, each song on here sounds distinct from the others; I'm not exactly sure how you could confuse "Androgyny" for "Cherry Lips".

if4 pif4 gave it a 10:
love it!

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