Customer Reviews

Version 2.0

5 star:		(447)
4 star:		(65)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I may not be as passionate about this group as I once was but they're still, and always will be, one of my all-time favorite rock bands. I've seen them in concert twice now and they're just as good, if not better, live, and I absolutely love listening to Shirley Manson breathlessly speak to the hyped up crowd with her heavy English accent after jumping around the stage while singing a familiar tune.

The self-titled debut album by Garbage was my first actual record (the "Queer" video beckoned me to follow) and I've been hooked ever since. Despite the less-than-cheery lyrics, their music helped me through some tough times in my life and kept me sane as my parents moved me from place to place in my early teens. I'm older now and can easily account for the fact that my tastes have broadened over the years (I've got a huge CD collection to prove it) but I always return to 'Version 2.0' when everything else becomes yesterday's news, so to speak. Their sophomore release passed the tragic curse so many groups befall after a successful beginning (or so I should think with all these 5 star reviews), and while their journey forward looks humble indeed, I'm certainly not the only one to think that they deserved the Grammy over Sheryl Crow for best Rock album a few years back. I'm still bitter over that undeserved loss but I'm grateful they were at least nominated for the prestigious award. I do not wish to dwell on the past though. I'm just so impressed with this record and believe it to be their best work to date. Not only did they dodge the possibility of failure their second time around but they also shut the bashful critics up for a while who claimed that Butch Vig was the real genius keeping Garbage together and that Shirley was holding the group back from their true abilities, which is ridiculous because Garbage wouldn't be the same without her special touch. Growth in all corners is evident on 'Version 2.0' and the songs are more refined here. Their hypnotic blend of rock and electronica - not to mention Manson's punk-like attitude - quickly sucks the listener in and keeps them coming back for more. When I first saw them perform live, I couldn't help but notice what an eclectic array of people they draw in, and that's likely the reason for their international fame because so many individuals can identify with their preferred style.

I've been putting off writing a review on this for quite some time now because I've always found it difficult to put words together to give this album justice but 'Version 2.0' should be in everyone's collection.

This will be with me forever. I even had to replace it once because I wore it out from excessive playing.

Version 2.0 is easily one of the best albums of the past decade. The electronic rhythms blend seamlessly with Shirley Manson's voice. Possessing one of the sexiest voices in music today, Manson is a calculating seductress. In fact, Manson's vocals are the only thing that remains consistent from the band's self-titled debut. The sonic assault of the rest of Garbage is noticeably shiny and polished. This doesn't mean that they've lost their edge though. The songs on Version 2.0 are better than those of the debut, whereas the debut's seemed incomplete and inrealized, Verison 2.0's are complete and competent.

The album's best tracks happen to be the slower songs. "The Trick is to Keep Breathing" and "You Look So Fine" showcase Manson's voice at its most wistful, and quietly sexy. Somehow though, the listener gets the impression that she's hiding her freaky side on "You Look So Fine." For Garbage, the arrangement on "Medication" is relatively sparse, giving it a barren, desolate feel that suits Garbage well. Manson accents "Medication" with gut-wrenching vocals.

The faster numbers are absolute stunners. "Sleep Together" resonates with an intoxicating mix of electronic bleeps and guitars, but it still can't compete with the album's opener, "Temptation Waits," which starts with a wintery aura, and features a blisteringly cold chorus. One of the album's surprise highlights is "Hammering in My Head," with its whirlwind of sonic flourishes and breakneck pace, it also has an unrelenting and memorable guitar riff.

It goes without saying that the four singles from this album combine Garbage's rock-meets-electronic formula with fantastic results. All of their songs combine aggression, sleek sexiness, and sonic polish. Their intricate soundscapes are magnificently assembled collages of sound. Not many bands can pull off such a stunning album in their careers, but Garbage already have a perfect 2.0 record.

I've had this cd for 2 years and I've never grown tired of it. Here's a short synopsis of each song:

Temptation Waits - Didn't think I was going to like the song the first time I heard the beginning. Boy was I wrong! It picks up when the bass comes in! There are a lot of great vibrating sounds and riffs in the background.

I Think I'm Paranoid - Sounds really nice and poppy until those killer Garbage guitars come in. I especially like the scratch part after the second time the chorus is sung. Great song!

When I Grow Up - An okay song. Pretty catchy and upbeat. It's a little too poppy for me, though.

Medication - The music of this song fits the context perfectly. I can just imagine an insane asylum (or hospital) whenever that chorus plays. Great song!

Special - Upbeat, catchy, a lot like When I Grow Up but better! There are some really cool vocal stacking effects in this song.

Hammering in my Head - A cool fast-paced sex rant with strange lyrics. I really like the part in the middle where it slows down and sounds like a 30's night club song. Filled with random riffs and loops!

Push It - A very complex and catchy song. Second best track on the CD.

The Trick is to Keep Breathing - BEST TRACK! I love this song! It's absolutely perfect! The soothing lyrics and the mellow strings combine to make the most relaxing and beautiful song EVER! This is my favorite song of all time!

Dumb - A great song with angry lyrics and heavy guitar riffs.

Sleep Together - I really don't like the lyrics in this song. Too X-rated. But I like the techno-like feel to the song.

Wicked Ways - Love this song! Great heavy metal like chorus and end-of-the-world lyrics! I just don't like the shuffle/swing beginning to the song.

You Look So Fine - Kinda like The Trick is To Keep Breathing, but less soothing. This one's more haunting and eery. My favorite part is at the very end with the piano and drums come back in after that string break.

You must listen to this album over and over to gain a full appreciation for it. There are so many expertly placed samples and sound combinations. Layers and layers of genius topped off with some spicy vocal performances.

Garbage's self-titled debut was a critically hailed triumph. It was a combination of sleek neo-feminism, gothic undertones, and alt-pop rhythms. Vocalist Shirley Manson could do it all -- she was Debbie Harry of Blondie, Dolores O'Riordan of the Cranberries, she was Chrissy Hynde of the Pretenders -- but she was still a leather-clad skanking flirt with a mean growl and a playful attitude. Her familiar yet simultaneously unique personality helped usher in the new era of alt-rock that dominated the late 90s. Despite Manson's in-your-face affectations, their first effort, while remarkable and refreshing, wasn't altogether groundbreaking. After nearly 3 years of intense recording and polishing, Garbage returned with a newer, glossier, and more catty version of their former selves.

Sidelining -- although not totally adbandoning -- their grittier roots was a shrewd choice in the 90s, when a long attention span was hard to find. Garbage is still in all of their glory here -- the insane guitar riffs and acidic lyrics are intact. Here, it's just done better. They take the guitar riffs and skewer them until they're nearly indistinguishable, they take Manson's growl and strecth it out to elastic proportions. Such intense experimentation is usually suicidal -- here, it's more like a steroid shot to an ailing genre. Perhaps the most effective revelation on 2.0 was the full-on implementation of technopop. It's everywhere here -- in between the beats of the punk chorus in "I Think I'm Paranoid," backing the ingeniously distorted guitars of "Push It." Garbage didn't only write the book on crossover alternative pop/rock, they have it memorized and, for all intents and purposes, copywritten.

Garbage is sugared up on romps like "When I Grow Up" and the double-entendre laden "Hammering In My Head" -- they're echoic and icily profound on "The Trick Is To Keep Breathing" and "You Look So Fine" -- they even manage to combine caustic wit and catty come-on with "Sleep Together." Manson and Co. know no limitations when it comes to musical stylings, and this sort of unpredictability is what rock was meant to sound like.

To think that, at first, I didn't particularly care for this one...but one day, the brilliance struck me, and this has become one of my favourite albums ever. I can always find solace in its statements, its insecurities, and its loves.

Each song is done in a sort of techno-centered spirit, but is filled with a strong sense of passion...often vitriolic but always gripping.

Some people think they were influenced by the equally amazing band Curve, but Garbage has always made music distinctly in their own spirit.

Songs like "Temptation Waits", "Wicked Ways", "Hammering In My Head", and "When I Grow Up" are only the tip of the ice berg for this spectacular feat.

If you don't have this, I feel sorry for you...

But remember...you can always change that ;)

I'd love to write a critical review of this CD, but sadly I've never heard this version. I've been trying unsuccessfully for more than a year to order it, and each time I've received the wrong CD: specifically, the Japanese import with extra track "Push It-- Boom Boom Satellites Remix" instead of extra tracks "Lick The Pavement" and "Thirteen." Apparently, there's a universal ISBN snafu surrounding these two imports.

I thought ordering from one of Amazon Marketplace's vendors would be a better way to go, but I've just received another wrong CD from one of them and I'm so frustrated I could spit kittens.

I'm sure the extra tracks are as good as the rest of the album we all got to hear in the States, so I gave the import 5 stars. But if you order it, be prepared for a long wait and a big hassle returning the incorrect CDs you receive. Good luck!

Ok very cliche title for my review..but it seriously can not be said enough. I bought their 3rd album first "beautifulgarbage" and feel instantly in love with it. Then I heard this one was even better so of course I went out and bought it. And yes it is BETTER! This album is probably one of my favorites of my very large collection. So to say it is one of my favorites is an excellent compliment. Anyways this album has a very danceable electric feel yet they manage to blend in the perfect lyrics to all the songs. Superb really the whole thing. I like every song on here and that usually doesn't happen.

Here is what I think of the tracks:
*1. Temptation Waits: This is one of my favorites. Very cool lyrics, and an awesome beat. Not only is it about temptation as the title says, But Shirley lets us know a little about who she is through the lyrics. good stuff.
*2. I think I'm Paraniod: This is a good one. "Bend me, Break me, Anyway you need me." The music almost speaks out "I'm paranoid"
*3. When I Grow Up: Yes we all know this song from Big Daddy. But it is more than just a catchy chorus. I love the begininng of this song.
*4. Medication: Another one of my favorites. This song is slow and sad. The lyrics speak loudly as I'm sure many people can idenify with them in some sort. Shirley opens up her range a little more in this song as well. Thumbs Up!
*5. Special: The first I ever heard Garbage amazingly. I fell in love with this song, the beats, the message, everything. While everyone else was getting drunk on Britney, I played this one over and over. Now that I have listend to the rest of the album, there are alot more songs that are better!
*6. Hammering In my Head: This song is so weird. It is very fast-paced with a book load of lyrics. There really isn't a chorus and it sounds like 3 songs in one. She goes from "Like an animal you're moving over me" to "You should be sleeping alone, tell me what you're dreaming of" to "Sweat it all out Sweat it all out". I like this song all the same even if it is a little on the crazy side.
*7. Push It: Awesome, Awesome, Awesome! The beat and the music in this song is really pumping. Soemtimes out of the blue I can hear Shirley say in my head "Push it you can do it". Motivational in an odd little way.
*8. The Trick is to Keep Breathing: Sort of like a fast paced ballad with depressing lyrics. Sad song but the fast pace of it keeps things up. Very Good.
*9. Dumb: AHH! I love this song. the lyrics are so awesome. This should be peoples anthem. In a way I know it will speak to everyone. Very weird music to, like all this buzzing. Cool stuff!
*10. Sleep Together: I'm sure some of you people are going to get your panties twisted over the blunt sexual message. But looking past the lyrics, The beat is awesome and Shirley sounds great. So Get over it. I personally do not care.
*11. Wicked Ways: My favorite song. It has a sort of rock vibe. And yes the lyrics as always with Garbage totally kick butt. I love how Shirley just sings out I tried and I tried over and over. She definitely tried alright. It sort of pokes fun at religion to, which is pretty awesome how Garbage are always going to say what comes to their minds.
*12. You Look So Fine: Yes, another one of my favorites! This is sort of like a slow love song. I just love how the verse and chorus flow right into each other. It sort of has a melancholy feel. The only compliant is it drags out a little to long at the end. But that is what stop buttons are for.

There you have it folks. A totally mind blowing album from Garbage. Its really ashame this didn't win any grammies. This one is much better the beautifulgarbage. But b.g. is stillw orth checking out, Just like this album. If you don't check this one out, you are really going to regret it. Avoid the mainstream cuz off of it are some awesome hidden things!. Go get this album..I command you..haha. Seriously.

Shirley Manson is a fabulous singer, as she made clear in her first album, but then she went and topped herself with this masterpiece. While her first one was more slow and depressing, this CD has many more fast beats and clever lyrics. Also not as poetic, but great for dancing to.

00001> Temptation Waits - this song seems a little corny at first, but once you get into it, its hard to stop.

00002> I Think I'm Paranoid - my personal favorite. When you first hear it it might seem bubble-gummy and bouncy, but when the guitars kick, in its pure genius. Perfect for dancing.

00003> When I Grow Up - has imaginative lyrics and fantastic guitar melodies, with good sound from the lead lady herself.

00004> Medication - one of the slower songs, but very powerful. Shirley sings low and sweet, and almost makes you want to help her.

00005> Special - My second favorite, a song about revenge and true feelings. A very good song to scream at your ex. Not that I would know.

00006> Hammering in my Head - Fast beat, rubber-band vibration, makes you hyper and want to freak-dance.

00007> Push It - hard to explain, its a song that's both fast and slow at the same time. Exceptional vocals.

00008> The Trick is to Keep Breathing - Another slow song, not quite measuring up to the others, but still pretty good.

00009> Dumb - Angry-girl song that boils your blood.

00010> Sleep Together - Slow, vibrating rhythm that resounds in your head.

00011> Wicked Ways - the reason that I gave this album only 4 stars-I absolutely hate the beginning, the biker-chick beat. As the song continues, however, it's really not that bad.

00012> You Look So Fine - Slowest song on the CD, and one of my favorites. Shirley Manson purrs sexy lyrics, making it an awsome addition to this record.

Definetly my favorite CD, even though she's gotten a little bouncy-beat on me.

I stayed away from this album for a while, just because everyone seemed to be talking about it and you could not avoid seeing a video or hearing a song from it for a while there. I forgot about it, and then one day my brother asked me to order it for him through good ol' amazon, so I did. It showed up, I popped it in out of curousity, and refused his attempts to pay me for it - it's mine now.

How excellent is this damn CD?

If the samples sound even a little good to you, get it. It really is great, and it is rare that you can let a CD play beginning to end without the urge just once to skip some "lesser" track. A really nicely done disc.