I love this CD. It's the best ever. There are angry, happy, sad, and romantic reflective songs. The group is at their best on this CD. I would highly recommend it to anyone. I play it in my car nonstop for months on end. I LOVE it!

Isn't it ironic the band titled their greatest hits collection "Absolute Garbage"? Quite funny because I LOVE this band and this album is far from garbage. Singer Shirley Manson and members have been an influential band since the early '90's, mixing alternative/pop/rock with an electronic sound into perfectly polished hits. Not to mention she is one of the hottest chicks in rock!

Every Garbage album has had it's fair share of great hits, with mediocre ones thrown between, so this collection is a must have for any respectable indie/alternative rock fan who doesn't already own their prior albums. It has most of the bands' best songs, but does leave a few out. It starts out with their first single "Vow" and ends with a previously unreleased track "Tell Me Where It Hurts", then seques right into a dynamic remix of "It's All Over But the Crying".

Absolute Garbage definitely shows how the band has evolved over the years. Drummer/Producer Butch Vig has been a member since the beginning and you can hear the chemistry between him and Shirley Manson in each song. The band is rumored to be working on a new Garbage album and I can't wait. I've always admired everything Shirley Manson has done.

Reviewed by Stephanie Sane

This would be five stars except Androgyny is not included except on the mix CD. Otherwise an excellent addition for anyone wanting to have a chronology of Garbage and an idea of how they have evolved over the years.

I have been a huge Garbage fan since the beginning (and when Shirley was in Angelfish)and have followed their work up to present. Absolute Garbage (not too crazy about the title)tracks the band from their first hit singles (and the best)to the somewhat commercially rocky '00s material. Their timing was dead on in 1995 when their debut hit stores and Shirley and the boys got heavy airplay on radio and MTV. Their music was a strange brew of glossy alt-electro rock often sampling other artists who seemed to be their inspirations. "Stupid Girl" updates The Clash's "Train in Vain" and later on their second record, "Special" relies on Chryssie Hynde. "Vow" is an exquisite stinger as "Only Happy When it Rains" sounds like a sunny pop song except that it's not. "Milk", the last track the debut began a trend with Garbage; each album they have released have always closed with a bittersweet ballad that is usually dark, sexy, and pleading. The best example is "Milk" with it's desperate "I'm waiting for you" hook. Gorgeous, and so different from other music of that time. In Between the debut and Version 2.0, was the Romeo and Juliet Soundtrack which featured Garbage's ode to obsession "#1 Crush". Version 2.0 set well with critics and fans alike and became a year end favorite on many magazine lists. Lead single "Push It" twisted Salt N' Pepa into a multi-layered techno-rock gem. Check for the Beach Boys influence when Shirley purrs "Don't Worry Baby" like it was the 60's all over again. This will come up again on the third record. "I Think I'm Paranoid" ressurects "Bend Me, Shake Me" and makes for another Garbage classic. "When I Grow Up" was a great single and a track from the Big Daddy soundtrack during that time. It was a lighter cut, and made way for Garbage's slightly looser, poppier sound. Of course, there are no words for the awesome ballad that is "You Look so Fine". It contains one of my favorite lines from a song: "You Look so fine, I want to break your heart and give you mine". I mean, what's not to love? "The World is Not Enough" was from the James Bond Soundtrack and wisely included among the best cuts. The third record Beautiful Garbage received mixed reviews, mostly for Garbage's transition into a lighter sound that mixed their signature styles with 60's girl group harmonies. At times the tracks seem a bit forced and not so cohesive. Even still, Beautiful contained some great songs. "Cherry Lips(Go Baby Go)is among them. On a collection like this, it seems to stand out just a bit but really it is the best example of how flexible Garbage's sound can be. It's a track that is hard to categorize or pin down, and maybe that was the point. It's mostly sparkle and pop, but at the same time casts a wicked new wave spell behind Shirley's nearly unrecognizable high and perky voice. Also from that album is "Shut Your Mouth", one of the tracks that sounds more like Garbage's mid-late '90s offerings. A few people complain about the omitted "Androgyny", "Breaking up the Girl", and "Sex is the Not the Enemy". People will always disagree with best of collections. I for one am glad that "Androgyny" was left off. That track has to be the weakest of all and would throw off a nice collection like this. Obviously I am not the only one. As for the others left off, I like them but not the strongest material. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the selection of the singles and wouldn't change a thing. The fourth record, Bleed Like Me, was a bit more on track with critics and the buying public. I was so glad that "Why Do You Love Me" got the airplay it deserved. It's an excellent single about insecurity and empowerment and a nice comeback hit for Garbage. The title track is a good old fashioned blistering Garbage track, although not quite as classic as say, "Queer" or "Stupid Girl". A nice remix of "It's All Over But the Crying", Bleed Like Me's album closing torch song, and the new track "Tell Me Where It Hurts" which sounds like part of the Beautiful Garbage era, is also included. It's a good song but not the strongest of statements on the future of Garbage. All in all, it's nice to have whether you're a fan or a casual listener since most of the good stuff is on here. Most are under the impression Garbage is a singles band and that's not true at all. The debut and Version 2.0 are essential listening and two of the best records of the 1990s. Includes nice booklet with great photos, lyrics to all songs and a nice little history of the band. Buy it now!

I'm 55 y-o, and have been actively listening (for 35 years) to after-1963 rock from Abba to The Who and every letter group in between (and some new alternative stuff). The two Garbage albums that I mentioned above are one of the few super-groups albums I've ever heard, which, by-the-way contain 90% excellent songs each. I myself would give the albums (and their shippers) a SIX-star rating if possible

Garbage is my favorite band. Shirley Manson is the only celebrity I want to meet before I die. I can't express how highly I revere this group.

Absolute Garbage (2007) is a fitting "greatest hits" collection. It does NOT include every single the band ever released, only the most popular ones. And although we can all gripe about its omissions, the fact remains that what we're left with is a fine, comprehensive-enough album that presents an exciting retrospective of Garbage at their rise, peak, and fall (in surprisingly chronological fashion).

The first 5 songs are from their eponymous debut (1995) and of them, "Queer" and "Only Happy When It Rains" are the truly great cuts. "Vow" and "Milk" are good while "Stupid Girl" remains average and the weakest pick from their first CD (although it was a huge hit).

Tracks 7 - 11 hail from Version 2.0 (1998) and I would call all of them terrific, except "When I Grow Up", which is good but not great. "Push It", in particular, is almost the best song Garbage ever produced (my personal favorite would have to be "So Like A Rose" from Beautifulgarbage).

"Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)" and "Shut Your Mouth", both from the third album Beautifulgarbage (2001), are two of the best selections from that release, which was filled with dizzying highs and terrifying lows.

Although "Why Do You Love Me" was the first (and best) single from Bleed Like Me (2005), that album's title track was one of the worst songs Garbage has ever made (though admittedly "Bleed Like Me" is a love it/hate it affair). The remix of "It's All Over But The Crying", a middling ballad that almost became a single, is a little more downbeat and snappier but mostly it's not much of a deviation from the original.

Fortunately there are three other tracks (all of them great) scattered throughout that deserve special attention:

#1 Crush is so brilliantly twisted that you can either issue a restraining order or take it as a darkly comedic retelling of Romeo + Juliet (the soundtrack this came from). Underneath a canopy of pulsating drums, Shirley drones on with creepy pledges like, "I will lie for you/beg and steal for you/I will crawl on hands and knees until you see/you're just like me". "#1 Crush" is the kind of obsessively lovelorn stalker who rummages through your trash and keeps a blow-up doll with the same color hair as yours in their closet.

"When we first got together, we all said that we wanted to make a James Bond Theme, because that's how we come up with our songs." - Garbage, The World Is Not Enough Ultimate Edition DVD

The World Is Not Enough represents Garbage at their swankiest, naturally evolving from the brisk, posh sonance of Version 2.0 to a Bond theme that melds `90s techno fiendishness with `60s orchestral flourish. It's a riveting achievement, showcasing melodramatic radiance ("There's no point in living if you can't feel alive") and insatiable craving ("If we can't have it all then nobody will"). Shirley's expansive delivery is pitch-perfect and she's arguably never sounded stronger. Too bad it was attached to one of the worst Bond movies.

If Tell Me Where It Hurts is Garbage's fond goodbye, then I couldn't think of anything more appropriate. Shirley finally finds the right man ("To hell with everybody else/all I care about is you/and that's the truth/they don't like me yeah I can tell/but you do") and we applaud her wholeheartedly. Steve, Duke and Butch paint the sumptuous music with shades of nostalgia in a sincere salute to their fans. "Tell Me Where It Hurts" catches our gorgeous firecracker reflecting ("I've been loved but I didn't know how to feel it/and I've been adored but I don't know if I ever believed it") and its exquisite lyrics culminate with a grateful payoff that was worth the wait ("I've been loved my whole life but I didn't know how to take it/until you").

This is a magnificent offering that can be enjoyed by hardcore fans and newcomers alike. If you've barely (or never) heard of Garbage or, like me, have bought BOTH versions of Absolute Garbage just to complete your collection, there's no reason not to check out this disc. In a word, it's amazing.

(P.S. Check out my reviews of Garbage's other four albums for a song-by-song dissection.)

I read the previous review of this album. The person liked the album it was to loud for them.I can't believe that "Absolute Garbage" slammed it's recorded loud. What I do remember about rock music is the fact that it's normally played loud. I love this album this the best greatest hits CD released in a while.I think the second disc is a mixed bag a lot good remixes and some bad ones.But the album as a whole is excellent.

Finally this band releases a greatest hits album!!! Like many other bands, most of the CD's put out by Garbage have two, maybe even three good songs, and the rest of the songs are crap! Now that all of Garbage's hits are on a single CD, you don't have to blow all your dough buying all of the CD's just to have all the hits.

All of the bands top songs are on the first half of the CD, and the more obscure songs by the band are on the last half. All I got to say is, gimme about 30 or 40 minutes with Shirley Manson, and she'd be wanting to marry a brother!!! Damn she's fine!

Don't get me wrong: this compilation is a good selection from their music and the remixes second disc is quite interesting.

So where's the problem: I don't like how this CD sounds. The volume level is very high and even if there's no obvious distortion the music doesn't sounds clear.

I'm not a Garbage fanboy but I think I know how their music should sound. I mean I think this edition is bad remastered and it's prioritized the loud and the 'make noise' effect over the detail.

Or maybe I'm wrong and this CD sounds like it should be...

Absolute Garbage is a great and multi-layered greatest hits album from my favorite band, Garbage of course. It contains all their radio hits, remixes, and one new track, Tell Me Where it Hurts, it's a gorgeous and sensual song, I love it! Hopefully the band will record a fifth album one day but for right now, Shirley Manson is working on a solo album so in the meantime, we have Absolute Garbage to swoon about. Mostly I hate remixes but Garbage has the best and most accesible remxies I have ever heard. Standout tracks from the album cuts include: Vow, #1 Crush, I Think I'm Paranoid, It's All over but the Crying, and Cherry Lips. If you are a die-hard fan of Garbage then get this for your collection, I also recommend the dvd version which includes their innovative videos and footage of the band over the past 12 years.

I've been waiting for this greatest hits since tha late nineteens, the selection is great but the second disc, wich i thoug would be great is actually very averge with performances in all the songs, except for the last track wich is by tha way the only one garbage did.

One of the best of best of CD's I have ever bought don't hesastate buy it now

Fantastic collection of all my personal favorites over the Years...I wish they would record more often. The remixes are very cool as well....excellent driving music on a recent long trip. Shirly Manson and the Band are my all time favorite. Milk alone stands as the best song they ever recorded and the vocals are haunting. I fell in love with her after that.
Dave

Well! What a delight to have this great collection of garbage gold! The band has never failed to have its own niche which is very difficult to classify, between rock/pop/alternative....etc.
The one thing for sure is that garbage have stood the test of time. The ability to combine these very dark-at most times-lyrics with such beatifully layered and rich melodies is hard to come by!

Shirley Manson is a cut above the rest and I don't know if we can compare her to anybody else. Such a deep voice that is very cold that it penetrates your bones but at the same time as warm as one can immagine, the kind of warmth that makes you feel,....Oh, I'm not the only one that feels this way and thinks this way, ....she does too!

This album spans most of their albums with emphasis on ones over others but I think that collectively it is a true representation of Garbage's rich harvest.

I won't go over every song on the album but I can say that I listen to the whole album and probably skip one or two tracks at most and that's not because they're not good tracks but because I have O.D'd on them previously.
I disagree with some of the reviews that say that the album loses weight in the middle and actually my favourite part of the album is the second part where more melodic meets gothic shirley takes place.

Some stand out tracks:
"tell me where it hurts" their new single, what a beautiful piece of work complete with strings and grand arrangements and tender lyrics, one of my favourites.

"It's all over but the crying", how true! anyone who has not said this sentence to themselves at least once in a lifetime is kidding themselves. Beautiful music and rich arrangements, still brings tears to my eyes, especially at the end with ther confronting phrase: "baby, we're done"

"the world is not enough" probably one of the best 007 anthems, you can see why garbage were chosen for this song, especially Shirley Manson's captivating voice and what a grand statement "THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH, BUT IT IS SUCH A PERFECT PLACE TO START!" Such a regal piece of art! One of my all time favourites.

"You look so fine" probably the softest song they have done, once again, beautiful arrangemnets and shirley does it again.

"Special" one of my favourites,...do you have an opinion, a mind of your own, I thought you were special, I thought you should know!

"Queer" the essence of garbage who never take themselves seriously but are serious deep down inside about the staements they make!

"Cherry lips" what a querky piece of music and yes..."Go baby Go Go, we're right behind you, Go baby Go Go!!" how more uplifting can you get!

All the other songs are very well produced but I won't review all of them. A last remark about the album is that the production is slik and clean. I think the best thing to do to get the most joy out of this album and truely appreciate Shirley Manson's voice is to turn the lights right dowm and pump the volume up and close your eyes and let the music and Shirley's voice take on a beautiful magical juorney.......Such a perfect place to start! To Shirley and Garbage: Love and respect xx

Whenever an artist brings out a retrospective, longtime fans are destined to make complaints. But it needs casual fans in mind and the general consensus and the public's familiarity is mostly in the group's first two records. I don't disagree that the later work was great, but as far as the music that's inside here it's definitely five-star material.

For die hards, "#1 Crush" and "The World Is Not Enough," some excellent singles, are available on a Garbage album for the first time. Also, there's a completely new track on here called "Tell Me Where It Hurts" which is excellent, recommended to fans of the new-wave-y tracks.

The production here updates things from the cassette-quality production of the shoegaze-style debut album. There's 18 tracks and none of 'em are bad ones, not even just "merely good" ones. It's in chronologic order which is a plus for me. Most of the U.S. singles are included here, except the Beautiful Garbage ones. I too would have liked "Androgyny" and it seemed like on a local radio station that "Breaking Up the Girl" was a pretty well sized hit, but I guess with Shirley's dis-approval of the latter track and to include things on just one disc they decided to put in favor the bouncy "Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)" and the mostly spoken techno rock standard "Shut Your Mouth."

The remix disc is a nice bonus and does not make a much higher price than the single disc version. Some of it is not interesting and I'm generally not a big remix fan but it can be an entertaining listen and is a nice bonus to the collection. About my only complaint is a re-recorded "It's All Over But the Crying," which was fine enough as it was seems like they just put louder percussion to make it more streamlined or something.

If you're new to Garbage, this is a perfect start. And going from there, there's only four albums so it's not like you're putting much of a budget to throw on these CD's.

OK folks...settle down...this is a compilation and yes some great songs were left off, but if you have all of their other CD's (my favorite is Beautiful Garbage) then you have nothing to bitch about! Considering that some videos were previously available only on a out-of-print VHS, this is a Godsend for Garbage fans. Quit quibbling, unite, and crank up "Special"!

While the band is still on hiatus, a greatest hits compilation had it coming. A band that went from nothing to something with a huge hit on "Garbage" and later on with "Version 2.0" prove that a good band sticks for long.

It is certain that with a title like "Absolute Garbage" expectations are high, but this greatest hits falls short. Giving us seventeen out of the twenty-three commercially released singles I would not say this "Garbage" show its essence. Missing four excellent singles (Androgyny, Breaking Up the Girl, Sex Is Not The Enemy), no fan will get the best out of this collection.

The collection lacks the most experimental "Garbage" albums yet - "beautifulgarbage" and "Bleed Like Me" - but on the good side it brings the two Non-LP singles back to life "#1 Crush" and "The World is not Enough".

The Remix Disc works depending on what you looking for. This won't be your typical Remix CD where the singles would work for a dance club instead I believe the remixes lack the power to make the singles better.

This "Garbage" will go for a long way, but if there's something more your looking for I would suggest get each CD, since they really show what Garbage ultimately is.

Garbage's star shone brightly in 1995 with their self-titled debut placing hits like Stupid Girl, Only Happy When It Rains and Milk on the charts. Stupid Girl, with its electro guitar strums, was especially refreshing after a wave of college rock and alternative music. Of course, lead singer Shirley Manson's foxy style adds to the glam rock equation.

Their height came with their stellar follow-up aptly titled Version 2.0. The album fully mixed electronic with rock music and produced crowd favorites like Special, When I Grow Up and Push It, each also fueled by stunning videos. However, due to limited CD space, excellent non-singles like The Trick is to Keep Breathing and Sleep Together are omitted. The album garnered them a string of Grammy nominations including the coveted Album of the Year.

BeautifulGarbage saw a change in direction which left fans miffed. The band toyed with beats and move towards a slightly urban sound with the excellent Androgyny which is unceremoniously left off this compilation and its DVD companion. Similarly, the Phil-Spectoresque Can't Cry Anymore is also not found here along with Breaking Up The Girl.

By the time the band reached their fourth album Bleed Like Me in 2005, the band was almost forgotten though the album did bring back some of Garbage's trademark electronic rock sound found on their earlier albums. Still, great tracks like Why Do You Love Me (classic Garbage), Run Baby Run and Right Between the Eyes (of which the latter two is absent here) prevail.

New track Tell Me Where It Hurts sounds like a cast-off from their previous albums, but it's better than none. Two other superior tracks, the B-side Betcha and the iTunes bonus track All The Good In This Life deserve a place on this compilation too.

For the casual fan, Absolute Garbage serves as a good, albeit late introduction to the fantastic band. For fans, it would just be something to add to their collection though it's severely lacking since the tracklisting is somewhat incomplete.

Long live, Garbage.

Garbage's star shone brightly in 1995 with their self-titled debut placing hits like Stupid Girl, Only Happy When It Rains and Milk on the charts. Stupid Girl, with its electro guitar strums, was especially refreshing after a wave of college rock and alternative music. Of course, lead singer Shirley Manson's foxy style adds to the glam rock equation.

Their height came with their stellar follow-up aptly titled Version 2.0. The album fully mixed electronic with rock music and produced crowd favorites like Special, When I Grow Up and Push It, each also fueled by stunning videos. However, due to limited CD space, excellent non-singles like The Trick is to Keep Breathing and Sleep Together are omitted. The album garnered them a string of Grammy nominations including the coveted Album of the Year.

BeautifulGarbage saw a change in direction which left fans miffed. The band toyed with beats and move towards a slightly urban sound with the excellent Androgyny which is unceremoniously left off this compilation and its DVD companion. Similarly, the Phil-Spectoresque Can't Cry Anymore is also not found here along with Breaking Up The Girl.

By the time the band reached their fourth album Bleed Like Me in 2005, the band was almost forgotten though the album did bring back some of Garbage's trademark electronic rock sound found on their earlier albums. Still, great tracks like Why Do You Love Me (classic Garbage), Run Baby Run and Right Between the Eyes (of which the latter two is absent here) prevail.

New track Tell Me Where It Hurts sounds like a cast-off from their previous albums, but it's better than none. Two other superior tracks, the B-side Betcha and the iTunes bonus track All The Good In This Life deserve a place on this compilation too.

For the casual fan, Absolute Garbage serves as a good, albeit late introduction to the fantastic band. For fans, it would just be something to add to their collection though it's severely lacking since the tracklisting is somewhat incomplete. The 2-CD Special Edition is slightly more collectible as it pulls the different club remixes of their songs together on one collection for the first time though all of which were available somewhere before.

Long live, Garbage.

Alternative rock band Garbage may not have created the techno/rock sound but they certainly have made it commercially appealing to the masses. After twelve years as band, Shirley, Butch, Duke, and Steve have reached a point of giving the public a greatest hits collection aptly titled ABSOLUTE GARBAGE. Is it garbage so to speak? Absolutely no. The single disc collection runs almost 80 minutes long. The cd contains the band's biggest hits as well as one new song ("Tell Me Where It Hurts") and their contributions to a James Bond film ("The World is Not Enough") and the modern version of ROMEO AND JULIET ("#1 Crush"). Most of the songs are from the band's first two albums Garbage and Version 2.0. There are at least two tracks from Beautifulgarbage and Bleed Like Me. Maybe because they didn't spawn any major hits like their first two albums. Personally the band should have turned this greatest hits collection into a two disc set and included more songs from those albums.

I am glad the band gave their songs a remastering treatment especially the songs from their self-titled album which frankly sounded dreck production-wise. I am also glad they inlcuded "The World is Not Enough" and "#1 Crush". Of all the James Bond songs from the past few years, Garbage's theme song is my personal favorite. Their new song "Tell Me Where It Hurts" is great. I can't help but think how much the song sounds like the theme song to that cheesetastic show THE LOVE BOAT. Despite missing a couple of songs from the band's last two albums, ABSOLUTE GARBAGE is a great compilation of the band's music.

If you are new to this exceptional band, this is not a bad place to start. Shirley Manson's vocals are outstanding! This is well worth the 5 star rating I am giving it. Get yourself some garbage... you will not be disappointed.

I usta have version 2.0 and was thinking of buying older Garbage CDs ,but this is better and all my favorates are on the 2 disc set, Grab this CD, cause it may be the last Garbage CD for a while , The band is on a long hiatus , check Google to find the latest news .

In the post grunge era of the late 90's right before the explosion of pop and mainstreem hip-hop there was one band that didn't want to let go of the glory days of the first half of the decade. That band was Garbage. Garbage combined haunting Annie Lennox like vocals from the stunning Shirley Manson hard tuned down guitar rifts and just a pinch of slight new wave and created one easily recognizible sound for the time. I was eagerly awaiting this grestest hits and the best part is this special edition with a whole addition cd of remixes. The best part about the remix cd is that its not all the same songs as on the first disc. So pretty much all of the songs of Garbage that I loved are all here so I got my moneys worth entirely. If you are a fan of this band it is a worthy addition to your collection if you are looking for something different or trying to get into the band more its a great starter.

This album encapsules 12 years of the band, and they are not done yet according to recent interviews with Butch and Shirley. The best part about this album is that it is remastered, so listen carefully and you will discover sounds you never heard before. This collection is essential for any garbage fan, especially the remix CD which puts a good spin on the originals. This greatest hits collection is a good start for anyone who likes the band, but Garbage is best known for their albums as a whole, so while this takes you down memory lane, make sure to buy their albums if you haven't already for the real journey.

Absolute Garbage is a wonderful addition to the collection for the hard-core Garbage fan. With one new track (Tell Me Where It Hurts) and a remix (It's All Over But The Crying) this is a must have. And to top it all off a second disc of club style DJ remixes and one Garbage remix the Absolute Garbage 2 disc set is Absolutely a must have. For the new Garbage fan this is a grate way to start your collection or to add a new CD to your set with smoe of their best songs on one disc you can't go wrong.

Absolute Garbage compiles 18 totally unforgettable tracks together in one nifty pacakage + 13 super remixes. Garbage can't produce a bad song, so I really have no complaints about the track sequence. There've been 'best of' cds with less tracks than this, so, at this price, I say pick one up with they're hot. Too bad there's no CD/DVD combo thingy, cos I haven't seen one video of them yet. Was looking for the Absolute Garbage DVD as an individual item to buy at the same time, but none of the local music stores carry it (yet). Perhaps there's one song that could've been added (Sex is not the Enemy). Don't know why wasn't added. It really gets me moving, especially when I'm on the bike.

The liner notes are well-written and thank you, for the lyrics to the songs! Very good move, guys. Disc one is red and the the remix CD is black. Artwork is kept simple yet catchy. I haven't seen most of these photos, yet I don't spend much time on the net looking for photos of Garbage anyway. Shirley & the Boys never cease to amaze me, whether it's their 'in your face' posing & expressions, or their funky shades. I've had the opportunity to see Garbage in Montreal, April 24th, 2005. What an experience!

Sound quality is excellent and the songs I believe have been remastered. Housed in a double jewelcase with matte paper outer slipcase, everything is summed together rather well. 13 years of super-great hits spanning the band's career will keep your speakers pumping out continuous ear candy like none other. Go Baby Go!!! The liner notes booklet features 24 pages including front & back covers. All photos are in black & white or greyscale. The "Parental Advisory" sticker on the slipcase is not a sticker at all, but actually printed on as part of the artwork. This CD is a must for any garbage fan, and should be on your Ipod. Support Garbage by purchasing this item. You won't regret it.

"Absolute Garbage" is Garbage's greatest hits disc. This special edition adds a CD of remixes.

The first disc is a spectacular, single-disc summary of this extraordinary band. Nobody sounds like Garbage. You know a Garbage song the instant you hear it.

First, there's the amazing Miss Manson. She joins a very small club of female rock singers that rise effortlessly above their peers...we're talking Chrissie Hynde...and then that's pretty much it. She's that good.

The rest of the band are no less tremendous. MAN can they make a lot of glorious noise! So many of these songs have irresistible hooks, earth-shaking sonics, walls of guitars and synths...drums that come from, oh, I dunno, magma? They come from nowhere...from somewhere below...and then explode with a fierce inevitability. Check out the fireworks on "Rains" or "Push It" or even "When I Grow Up."

Layer on that these anthemic choruses and terrific melodies, and you have some of the best rock music of the last decade.

The disc does a good job summarizing their four albums, and as any true fan, I have my quibbles over song selection. But they are just that: quibbles. Of a fan. Of a particularly fussy fan.

The remixes are superfluous. Worse that that, they're just bad. Now don't get me wrong: I love remixes. They can make a good song more interesting, longer for added enjoyment, or they can present an overly familiar song in a fresh manner so you can like it all over again.

Yeah, well, none of that sort of stuff happens here.

For me, the second disc could have been a live disc, or more songs, like "Supervixen" or "Androgyny". Or the DVD of the videos. Which I also bought.

But as it stands, that one disc is pretty darn awesome. You cannot lose with songs like "Only Happy When It Rains" (how wonderful would it have been to have, say, the Hynde/Manson duet version from VH1 here?), "Stupid Girl", "Special", "Cherry Lips", "Bleed Like Me"...

I really hope they're not broken up for good. In this era of disposable pop, there simply isn't enough of this good stuff to go around.

the remastered sound and collection of essential songs from the first 2 garbage albums alone make this worthwhile. however, it is skimpy on 'beautifulgarbage' material ("androgyny" anyone?), and drops at least one if not 2 worthy inclusions from 'bleed like me.' the version of "#1 crush" is from 'romeo + juliet,' which is the nellee hooper remix. the original (from 'subhuman ["vow"]') is still a stray b-side. apart from the aforementioned omissions, this is the most up to date mastering of the songs that are included. great mix for those that are unfamiliar with the band, and almost "absolute" for those that aren't.

the remastered sound and collection of essential songs from the first 2 garbage albums alone make this worthwhile. however, it is skimpy on 'beautifulgarbage' material ("androgyny" anyone?), and drops at least one if not 2 worthy inclusions from 'bleed like me.' the garbage mixes disc would be killer had they not edited almost every mix from its original length. the version of "#1 crush" on disc 1 is from 'romeo + juliet,' which is the nellee hooper remix. the original (from 'subhuman ["vow"]') is still a stray b-side. one day there will almost inevitably be remastered versions of the garbage albums, hopefully with a pertinent bonus disc with the full versions of the remixes from each album as well as matching b-sides, if not a garbage b-side collection unto itself. until then, this is the most up to date mastering of the songs included, shame the songs on disc 2 are edited, it could have been "absolute."

Open the book and you will discover the wonders of Garbage; and then so ends the chapter when Garbage puts away their tools for electronica sounds and beats, and puts up the best they had since the beginning of 1995. We were blessed 11 years ago with sounds of sarcasm mixed in a bowl of angst and the voice topped the cake with melachonic soundscapes. You start off with the very first single off of their self-titled debut - "Vow", and end with the latest tear-jerker with a twist "It's All Over But The Crying". Not to mention the newest edition to Garbage's tracklist - the Chrissie Hynde inspired "Tell Me Where It Hurts". The songs sound remastered - Shirley's voice is clear as a whistle and the music sounds sharper than ever. Not to mention you also get the remix's most people haven't heard of.

All in all - if you are looking for the best of the best from Garbage, this CD is for you. It will make you reminisce the golden times when you were an angsty teen looking for a band or song that you related to. You can remember those times when you felt alone and the only thing you felt and heard at the time was the golden sound of Shirley crooning to you - as the boys (Butch Vig, Duke Erikson, Steve Marker) play the super-sonic sounds to mesh the vocals together.

For the everyday Garbage collecter: This album is for you. For the people who haven't heard of them: This is also the CD for you. Even to those who liked a few songs, this is also the CD to add to your collection. The money spent on this as well as the single and DVD is WELL worth the money. You will not regret the purchase. Garbage may have closed the chapter with this album - but do come back for Chapter 2 when Garbage comes back in 2008; it is ALWAYS worth the wait. As the book closes it's chapter, a new page emerges, and we will be blessed with more music from a band who paved the way for so many. A band who took their time making music for US. For the people who really needed that extra push - Garbage has helped the Alternative movement become glamorous, and we thank them each day for giving us the music that we so desperately love.

Just had to knock a few nanopoints off for not including other singles and hit tracks such as Androgyny, Run Baby Run, Sex Is Not The Enemy, and ESPECIALLY Breaking Up The Girl. But just a few nanopoints. Fact is, this is one of those "Not A Bad Track On It" CDs, and the quality of the tracks, the fine packaging and great liner notes, and the brilliant "Garbage Mixes" bonus disc are what makes this CD worth OWNING, rather than borrowing, ripping or stealing. Thanks, Garbage! I'll miss you, and hold out hope that we see you again for "Still More Garbage"! EDIT: I've been listening to the Mix CD all day today.... FANTASTIC!! Don't be cheap, drop the extra $2 for this "Special Edition" version, you will not regret it. More than worth it JUST for "Milk" remixed by Massive Attack. So hot.

I was really looking forward to this CD. I loved the first two Garbage CDs, but wasn't so keen on the last two so I was excited about hearing the mixes on this CD especially because the mixes were of some of my favorite songs. Unfortunately, I have heard better Garbage mixes elsewhere. As much as I hate to say it, this CD is a bit of a let down.

...or Shirley Manson rules, and we missed it. When "Garbage" first debuted in 1995, this crew of rock pros fronted by the fiery Manson hit like a ton of bricks. Melding the snarl of The Pretenders with icy new wave, "Vow" laid it all on the table. "I can't use what I can't abuse," Shirley sang over chunky guitars and industrial beats. Superproducer Bruce Vig and the other two members has spent enough time in the alt-rock backstreets that they new how to make that sound mean something. With the outsider anthem "Queer" and sneering put-down "Stupid Girl," Garbage had the ingredients all in place.

The following "Version 2.0" was almost as good. But the fact that Garbage was so blatant about their homage sometimes dulled the coolness of songs like "Push It" (swiped directly from Salt'n'Pepa) and "Special," which has Manson singing the hook from "Brass In Pocket" over the fade. The singles were great, but the seams were showing.

Perhaps it was that sameness that inspired the band to stretch out on "Beautiful Garbage's" moody and atmospheric material. "Androgyny" (not included here) flirted with R'n'B, but "Cherry Lips/Go Baby Go" was exactly the kind of amalgam of styles that made the best Garbage great. On the other hand, the lack of immediacy made it a commercial drop-off from the first two albums. The band went on hiatus.

When 2005 rolled around, "Bleed Like Me" sounded like a return to form, even if that sound was no longer all too relevant. Still, the slamming "Why Do You Love Me" found Manson deliciously waffling back and forth between anger at the cheating boyfriend and the angst of the chorus "Why don't you love me? It's making me crazy!" Putting a pretty pout to the title track, Shirley Manson taunts us with "you should see my scars." Indeed, we get a band that sounded both battle weary and resilient.

This best of caps with a new song, "Tell Me Where it Hurts," which sounds hot. There is also a remix of "Bleed Like Me's" "It's All Over But The Crying," plus the soundtrack singles "#1 Crush" (Romeo & Juliet) and the James Bond "The World Is Not Enough." The disc does flesh out its running time, so I really can't gripe about songs I'd rather hear. But I will: "Bad Boyfriend" "Androgyny" and "Silence Is Golden." Other side, if you never picked up any Garbage albums, "Absolute Garbage" will fill in the hits for you.

Encompassing elements of electronica and hard-rock over dance-beats, with lush melodies and killer hooks, Garbage has proved to be one of the best bands to come down the pike in the last ten years. Garbage's new compilation "Absolute Garbage" (2007) includes some of the bands best work, along with a terrific new song "Tell Me Where it Hurts."

Nearly eighty minutes (the length allowed for a CD) "Absolute Garbage" is very generous, offering some of the band's best work. But even with eighteen tracks, this best-of misses the mark a bit.

The track list is fairly predictable. As the band's first two albums far out-sold the next two, this compilation is skewed in the direction of "Garbage" (1995) and "Version 2.0" (1998) and a little skimpy on selections from the underrated and appreciated "beautifulgarbage" (2001) and "Bleed Like Me" (2005). Therefore, some of the band's later-day singles like "Breaking up the Girl," "Androgyny" and "Sex is not the Enemy" are left by the way-side.

If you are a casual Garbage fan, this compilation is ideal, as it includes all the well-known hits from the band's commercial peak, so as a "greatest hits" the CD works. However, in terms of covering the band's entire career, this compilation leaves a little something to be desired. While "beautifulgarbage" and "Bleed Like Me" didn't have the sales of the first two, they were easily as good, and more of their singles should have been included here. Perhaps a two-CD anthology, with all the hits as well as essential album cuts would have been preferable.

Still, if you aren't really a Garbage fanatic and just want the hits, this CD should be what you're looking for. That said; if you like what you hear and have the money, all four Garbage albums are definitely worth owning. While Garbage might be a `singles band," each of their four studio albums stands-up on its own right, each with its own flavor, and the non-singles on those albums are excellent.

The new song, the melancholy "Tell Me Where it Hurts" sounds "grand," and wouldn't have sounded at all out of place on the Phil Specter-esque, "beautifulgarbage." It's disappointing, however, that the other new Garbage song "Betcha" is not included on this CD and you have to buy the "Tell Me Where it Hurts" single to get it. Hopefully someday Garbage will release a compilation album of all their b-sides and it will be available there.

Two other hits, "#1 Crush" from the "Romeo and Juliet" soundtrack (1996) and "The World is not enough" from the James Bond film of the same name (1999) are thrown in for good measure.

The bonus CD of dance remixes is cool if you are into that sort of thing, and for just a few dollars more than the non-special edition; this double CD is a good value.

Encompassing elements of electronica and hard-rock over dance-beats, with lush melodies and killer hooks, Garbage has proved to be one of the best bands to come down the pike in the last ten years. Garbage's new compilation "Absolute Garbage" (2007) includes some of the bands best work, along with a terrific new song "Tell Me Where it Hurts."

Nearly eighty minutes (the length allowed for a CD) "Absolute Garbage" is very generous, offering some of the band's best work. But even with eighteen tracks, this best-of misses the mark a bit.

The track list is fairly predictable. As the band's first two albums far out-sold the next two, this compilation is skewed in the direction of "Garbage" (1995) and "Version 2.0" (1998) and a little skimpy on selections from the underrated and appreciated "beautifulgarbage" (2001) and "Bleed Like Me" (2005). Therefore, some of the band's later-day singles like "Breaking up the Girl," "Androgyny" and "Sex is not the Enemy" are left by the way-side.

If you are a casual Garbage fan, this compilation is ideal, as it includes all the well-known hits from the band's commercial peak, so as a "greatest hits" the CD works. However, in terms of covering the band's entire career, this compilation leaves a little something to be desired. While "beautifulgarbage" and "Bleed Like Me" didn't have the sales of the first two, they were easily as good, and more of their singles should have been included here. Perhaps a two-CD anthology, with all the hits as well as essential album cuts would have been preferable.

Still, if you aren't really a Garbage fanatic and just want the hits, this CD should be what you're looking for. That said; if you like what you hear and have the money, all four Garbage albums are definitely worth owning. While Garbage might be a `singles band," each of their four studio albums stands-up on its own right, each with its own flavor, and the non-singles on those albums are excellent.

The new song, the melancholy "Tell Me Where it Hurts" sounds "grand," and wouldn't have sounded at all out of place on the Phil Specter-esque, "beautifulgarbage." It's disappointing, however, that the other new Garbage song "Betcha" is not included on this CD and you have to buy the "Tell Me Where it Hurts" single to get it. Hopefully someday Garbage will release a compilation album of all their b-sides and it will be available there.

Two other hits, "#1 Crush" from the "Romeo and Juliet" soundtrack (1996) and "The World is not enough" from the James Bond film of the same name (1999) are thrown in for good measure.