Bleed Like Me
by Garbage
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Apr 12, 2005
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 136 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 111 out of 136
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 136
  3. Negative: 11 out of 136

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  1. JonathanH
    Apr 16, 2005
    10
    This is the year of Garbage! This album is exceptional. None of the tracks have anything wrong with them, but major points are 'Bad Boyfriend', 'Run Baby Run', 'Bleed Like Me', 'Happy Home', and 'Why do you love Me'. While it may look as though critics are divided over this album's quality, one must remember that these are only the This is the year of Garbage! This album is exceptional. None of the tracks have anything wrong with them, but major points are 'Bad Boyfriend', 'Run Baby Run', 'Bleed Like Me', 'Happy Home', and 'Why do you love Me'. While it may look as though critics are divided over this album's quality, one must remember that these are only the opinions of 12 people. What ultimately matters is your own opinion, and the simple fact is that people who actually like the band and aren't biased contradictionary morons looking for an excuse to shit on someone- really love 'Bleed Like Me'.… Expand
  2. CarenT
    Apr 17, 2005
    10
    This is a great album! I highly recommend this album (and all their previous albums) to anyone who enjoys good music...unlike some of the critics i've read on here. Garbage is brilliant.
  3. victora
    May 30, 2005
    10
    This albums Rocks!!
  4. JPTee
    Jun 19, 2005
    5
    Just seems so darn tired, really.
  5. EmilyG
    Jul 8, 2005
    10
    The thing I love about every Garbage album is that they are albums - and great ones at that - becuase you can listen to them all the way through and end up never questioning whether one of the songs should have been left out. There were times during beautifulgarbage when I wasn't convinced by a song but Bleed Like Me is certainly a return to the glory of the first 2 albums. I love it!!!!
  6. Poldo
    Apr 12, 2005
    9
    This album signs the return of Garbage in the world of music. I think we've been very lucky to have the opportunity to listen to this record, due to internal scissions of the band and Shirley vocal chords. I do not think the album is excellent, but I do think it's quite a good welcome back lp. Metal Heart rocks, Run Baby Run has its own special rhythm, It's all over but the This album signs the return of Garbage in the world of music. I think we've been very lucky to have the opportunity to listen to this record, due to internal scissions of the band and Shirley vocal chords. I do not think the album is excellent, but I do think it's quite a good welcome back lp. Metal Heart rocks, Run Baby Run has its own special rhythm, It's all over but the crying is the unmissable melanchonic ballad which makes me always cry... This album has the potentiality to climb up the music charts of the whole earth. I cannot believe the reviews up to now didn't catch the substance of this really good cd...… Expand
  7. WS
    Apr 12, 2005
    10
    Version 2.0 remains my favorite, but this album while not spectacular is a good effort, and a good effort from Garbage far exceeds the other crap out there
  8. Colleen
    Apr 13, 2005
    10
    Best comeback album in years...I don't understand the mixed reviews at all.
  9. JoshG
    Apr 13, 2005
    10
    Very good. Goes back to the debut days.
  10. LakeishaJ
    Apr 14, 2005
    10
    This is one of the best albums of the year! I have listened to garbage since their first self titled album, and this is the best one since then. Many people think that they have this trite hard pop sound, but I feel like over the years, Garbage has really defined their own niche. Go Shirley and Butch!!
  11. TimS
    Apr 14, 2005
    9
    To malign the band for sounding like.. the band is ridiculous. The Stones sound like the Stones, U2 like U2, etc. All bands have a basic formula. BLM takes the basic Garbage formula and tries to subtract the rampant samples and glossy production values to create what is, at best, a brilliant rock record. This is the band relying on their abilities to play the guitar, beat the hell out of To malign the band for sounding like.. the band is ridiculous. The Stones sound like the Stones, U2 like U2, etc. All bands have a basic formula. BLM takes the basic Garbage formula and tries to subtract the rampant samples and glossy production values to create what is, at best, a brilliant rock record. This is the band relying on their abilities to play the guitar, beat the hell out of the drums, and sing anthemic rock tunes, without twiddling too many knobs or overanalyzing the tunes. Simple and direct... exactly where the band needed to go.… Expand
  12. Brett
    Apr 15, 2005
    10
    It has the edge of the first album, the brilliance of the second, and the glamour of the third. I think it is the best album I have heard all year; As for the critics, they are clearly missing the message and have no concept of this album's magnitude. Adding to the fact that Garbage is phenomenal in concert, I think this is the best things to happen to music in a while.
  13. BrennaF
    Apr 19, 2005
    9
    I'd take more stock in these critics if they hadn't decided that Mariah Carey's latest slice of melba toast is one-third better than Garbage's heavy box of big beats, giant hooks and day-glo melodies.
  14. GavG
    Apr 21, 2005
    3
    Worst Garbage album. All this obvious faux femmenist nonsense. the album even sounds bad, the video to current single 'why dont you love me' is dire. Manson's voice is poor, too. it might me a cliche to say this, but garbage really have become nothing more than a parody of themselves. I'm totally gutted because this album almost reduces the quality of their back Worst Garbage album. All this obvious faux femmenist nonsense. the album even sounds bad, the video to current single 'why dont you love me' is dire. Manson's voice is poor, too. it might me a cliche to say this, but garbage really have become nothing more than a parody of themselves. I'm totally gutted because this album almost reduces the quality of their back catalogue, which I think is great. It feels like a sell-out, and I suspect it is. It's to keep things ticking over and I'd rather they split up than sink to these depths of the mediocre.… Expand
  15. kennyboy
    Apr 25, 2005
    9
    This is a very good, catchy album. I am getting really tired of the snob appeal from the "critics." As soon as an artist reaches critical mass, they its time to slam 'em....sad, really sad. I say get the album, and enjoy.
  16. NoahE
    May 10, 2005
    5
    Garbage deserve credit for one thing in particular; remaining true to their roots. However, that may also make it the primary weakness of this record as well. Shirley Manson and Co. have always ventured into the metaphoric dirt under their fingernails and incorporating these themes of heartbreak, betrayal and coping into the songwriting, with the meaty hooks. "Bleed Like Me" continues to Garbage deserve credit for one thing in particular; remaining true to their roots. However, that may also make it the primary weakness of this record as well. Shirley Manson and Co. have always ventured into the metaphoric dirt under their fingernails and incorporating these themes of heartbreak, betrayal and coping into the songwriting, with the meaty hooks. "Bleed Like Me" continues to walk upon that familiar territory, though the production is more polished than ever before. However, many of the songs alone, despite some effort, end up sounding cliched or formulaic, adjectives Garbage have never really been equated with. Garbage remain one of the better Alternative artists out there, but this is their weakest of their four releases to date and if they want to maintain that early integrity from here on, perhaps the advice to them would be to not just dig under the fingernails and write of the dirt, but mature on and write of the learning experience from it.… Expand
  17. StephanieM
    May 4, 2005
    9
    I can't stop listening to this album! I am addicted to it. The songs are well worth listening to. When I first listened, it took a couple of times for the music to hook me, and then you find favorites that you didn't think would be in the first place. There is probably only one song I skip..Sex Is Not the Enemy. It sounds dull and boring to me. All of the other songs blow my I can't stop listening to this album! I am addicted to it. The songs are well worth listening to. When I first listened, it took a couple of times for the music to hook me, and then you find favorites that you didn't think would be in the first place. There is probably only one song I skip..Sex Is Not the Enemy. It sounds dull and boring to me. All of the other songs blow my mind. This CD rocks!… Expand
  18. SDS
    May 6, 2005
    10
    Best CD of the year so far. Garbage has returned with a CD that is more true to their live show. Shirley Manson's vocals are in top form - she is "The Queen"!
  19. kateg
    May 9, 2005
    10
    this cd has not left my car stereo since it's release in april...i absolutely adore it.
  20. PhilL
    Jun 14, 2005
    9
    For those who love good hard rock music this is worth getting. Despite the criticisms, it's still one of the best albums to come out this year. In fact, I think it's the best rock album to come out this year. Sure, many compare this album with their first two which isn't as good but nobody can constantly follow-up each album's success Garbage fans will definitely fall For those who love good hard rock music this is worth getting. Despite the criticisms, it's still one of the best albums to come out this year. In fact, I think it's the best rock album to come out this year. Sure, many compare this album with their first two which isn't as good but nobody can constantly follow-up each album's success Garbage fans will definitely fall in love with this the minute they listen to the first 5 tracks which are clearly better songs than their entire last album combined. My recommedation is go buy the CD because they only sold like 400,000 so far and it deserves higher sells than that. If you're not a Garbage fan, it's still worth getting because there hasn't been a good rock album this year with more than 2 good songs in them and this one succeeds over that with 8 ( in my opinion). Overall, it kick's ass, sounds like a mix of their first two albums, somewhat like Everecence, but most importantly, you get your money's worth!… Expand
  21. jimmyjimoneb
    Jun 9, 2005
    8
    I was sooo dissapointed by beautiful garbage... and i'm sooo happy with this return!! very simple yet efficent rock
  22. Fiona
    Aug 28, 2005
    10
    This is the best record of the year hands down. They've evolved so much as a band, first the electro rock of 'Garbage', the techno rock of 'Version 2.0', the pop of 'BeautifulGarbage', and now the guitar rock of 'Bleed Like Me'. Shirley Manson's lyrics have never been political, but 'Metal Heart' and 'Sex is not the This is the best record of the year hands down. They've evolved so much as a band, first the electro rock of 'Garbage', the techno rock of 'Version 2.0', the pop of 'BeautifulGarbage', and now the guitar rock of 'Bleed Like Me'. Shirley Manson's lyrics have never been political, but 'Metal Heart' and 'Sex is not the Enemy' prove she's just as good at channeling frustration as Maynard James Keenan and Chris Cornell, while the rest are easily relatable and impactful. It's amazing that anyone could criticize this album; the music is so hook laden you'd be hard pressed to find one song that doesn't present a hint of the perfect radio single, and Manson's vocals are so well delivered that you believe every word she says. And every word is worth listening to if you take the time to see what they mean.… Expand
  23. [Anonymous]
    Sep 18, 2006
    10
    It's perfect despite the critics. It's like a good wine. Perhaps it's too fine a wine for some people's taste.
  24. JonA
    Nov 2, 2005
    0
    just flat out sucks!!, nothing more needs to be said
  25. Epr
    Apr 11, 2005
    3
    this album is about as bad as the single. at least the last album had a couple of good songs, this one is just plain bad.
  26. SteveR
    Apr 12, 2005
    10
    The album is definetly a comeback for Garbage, and I feel this album will do MUCH better than the previous album BG. Can't wait to see them on tour!
  27. DaveB.
    Apr 12, 2005
    10
    What a great album! All the tracks kick a**! Have been waiting for this album for years and my prayers have been answered. Can't wait to see Shirley and the boys live in T.O.
  28. samg
    Apr 12, 2005
    10
    bleed like me is great! garbage has been gone for a while, but i'm glad they are back, and the album was totally worth the wait.
  29. RandyB
    Apr 12, 2005
    10
    It's fairly early in the year, but this is already one of the best of the year. Amazing, and their best since '98's 'Version 2.0'
  30. JD
    Apr 12, 2005
    4
    Garbage's laziest effort to date. Highly dissapointed in a band that created two of the best albums of the 90s, even garning a Best Album of Year Grammy nomination for "Version 2.0". Surely, this can't be the same band. Even the flop "BeautifulGarbage" was more creative and interesting than this effort.
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Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 18
  3. Negative: 2 out of 18
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Humongous hooks. [15 Apr 2005, p.77]
  2. Rolling Stone
    70
    The first two-thirds of Bleed Like Me is easily the best sustained run of studio Garbage since the opening half of their 1995 debut.
    Read full review
  3. The Guardian
    60
    While Manson's changeling vocals are always worth listening to, Garbage's songs often aren't.
    Read full review
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