I would give 5 stars, just for Shirley Manson's vocals and unique style. But some of the lyrics have caused me to lower the rating (for personal reason, of course).

Ho Ho. there are some really 'witty' comments from 1 star givers stating what an apt name 'Garbage' is. Yes, you people are truly hilarious. Split my sides I did! Anyway, while Beautiful Garbage was a bit of a mistake the other 3 albums are all pretty good even if they do owe more than a nod to  90's Brit techno-Goths Curve. Considering the utter sh*te that's been coming out of the US rock scene since 1980, they're still one of the more identifiable and inventive bands.

I haven't heard much of Garbage other than their bigger hits (e.g. "Queer" and "Only Happy When It Rains") and their excellent James Bond theme "The World Is Not Enough", but from my limited exposure I'd have to say that this band is rather strong. Notwithstanding some of the prior reviewer's claims of fabrication, their (primarily singer Shirley Manson's) attitude and mood sounds genuine to me, and the group's groove was fresh back in the day of then tiring grunge. Nevertheless, after ten years and four albums, I'd say it's time for a compilation summing up their best material on one disc.

Why aren't these guys played more on the radio or the video channels ? Because they don't have enough "hit material" ? Because they don't have enough songs like Stupid Girl?Because they're no longer "interesting" enough for MTV? I know, that's the way radio and the music business now operates , and , it's a damn shame . They're a great band , and Shirley , the girl of my (Wet) dreams , deserves to be a bigger ,and better known female singer ,than all the Britney/christina/ashanti/beyonce/ashley clones combined.

I absolutely adore this band - strong, catchy lyrics, thumping tunes and great to mosh to. The new single 'Why Do You Love Me' sounds very promising as well.

The first album was great in parts but had a couple of fillers. The second had loads of forgettable tracks and a couple of great ones. The third was an improvement on the second but lacking killer tunes like 'Happy when it rains'.

The first two albums were really great. But after that they just lost the touch.

they were crap in 1994 and they are crap now. it says it all in the name. the chick in the band can be cute sometimes....in the right light.

Garbage totally Rocks !!! shirley is awesome , all of u that say that they make honor to their name are just stupid-poppy-we-love-britney-kind of ppl .

Really should be 4/5, but hopefully this will counter-act all of the tragic 1-star ratings. 1. Shirley Manson is an interesting, skilled vocalist with an interesting turn of lyrical phase. I love her 'tough/crazy/sexy' persona. 2. The music, while not technically that impressive, is very well done. The production values are bar none some of the best around, and the sonics are so densely layered that it's amazing. I can still pop in 1998's 'Version 2.0' album and not get bored listening to it. There's just that much going on, sonically, in the songs. Other bands would do well to take a lesson - this is slick music with immediate appeal, but also with substance and skill behind it to make sure that appeal will go a long way.

fitting name for this band

Couldn't have picked a more fitting name.

EXACTLY THTS WHAT THEY ARE "GARBAGE"

Most aptly named band in music. Everything about this band is slickly and cynically manufactured. Shirley Manson can sing, but it's laughable the way she postures and pouts since she has very little charisma for a diva. And the rest of the band are like in their forties - not that I'm ageist it's just that most bands don't start in their forties, they survive into their forties. The only reason they continued to have songs on the radio and on movie soundtracks is because they have really good friends in the media, while MUCH more deserving bands never get noticed. And the music industry wants us to feel sorry for it because some people are downloading music rather than paying for it? The record industry are the reason that most music sucks nowadays, and it's because they force tripe like Garbage down our unwitting throats.

The name of the band says it all.

Exactly... garbage.

Butch Vig - one of the best producers in alternative rock music; great drummer Shirley Manson - great voice; great lyrics; Great look Steve & Duke - great quitarists ----- GREAT BAND!!!!!

grat great great combination... electronica/rock/pop/alternative the best you can get... + the sexiest woman as a vocalist...

Garbage is an awesome band with a wide variety of music, they also have the best bunch of people, including Butch Vig, who did awesome work with Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins to name a few. Shirley Manson, the front-woman, is an ALL inspiring singer, great voice and a great personality. The people who commented saying 'there name says it all', there wrong, either there jealous that there band *coughnodoubtcough* didnt do well, or just have no taste.

Garbage is an amazing band, I think anyone who really doesn't like them just doesn't know what they are talking about. They are diverse and unique, and they make amazing music

it's sad that so many people are prejiduce and judge so quickly by saying that Garbage is garbage just by looking at their name and not their music. But Shirley is a goddess and the band has great talent.

Since their debut album, Garbage has been an innovating band. They pave their own way and follow nobody’s footsteps by their own. Their first, self-titled album was amazing, dark and completely original with such hit track as Only Happy When it Rains, Queer and Vow. Their second album Version 2.0 made all other bands fade in comparison with such songs as Push It, I Think I’m Paranoid and Special. Their latest album BeautifulGarbage was THE MOST critically acclaimed album yet, but due to poor advertising was the least successful album of their career. However, the album did have great tracks such as Shut Your Mouth and Cherry Lips. Garbage has always been known for their unique sound. Every song is always layered and thanks to Butch Vig (producer and drummer), every song always has deep impact. But I believe it is Shirley’s seductive, husky and powerful voice that compliments the music best. She knows how to heighten every track using her voice to capture the listener’s attention. She knows how to manipulate her voice into seductive whispers, husky raps, powerful ballads and flirty singing. What is more appealing about this SEX SYMBOL however, is most likely her Scottish accent, milky skin, red hair and her viciousness, brawn and intelligence. In conclusion, Garbage has AMAZING music and an intelligent vocalist.

I completely loved them until their latest album. I think Shirley is very sexy. She has a haunting voice, and she's not gorgeous in the conventional way, but she definitely has something going for her. I loved the first two albums. And they would have probably gotten an even higher rating from me if my expectations of them had not taken a total nosedive with the newest one. I'm sorry...the new album sucked....It made me want my $15 dollars back.

Exellent New Wave band.

Garbage forever! Version 2.0 is the best album ever made?

Shirley Manson, what can I say, she's not glamourous looking but her voice makes her intriguingly sexy. The music is really good but hey, if you have Butch Vig in your band, you can't go wrong.

i'm only happy when it rains and special are my personal garbage faves, i love the one she did for romeo&juliet, too. she's a crazy crazy lady that shirley manson and i dig garbage.

Their name says it all.

Garbage is my favourite band for many reasons. Their songs are actually about things. The lyrics mean something and make you think about the world. The music is totally original and fits awesomely with the lyrics. Shirley Manson is a great singer and really makes the lyrics come alive. Mucho love to Garbage!

Is it a possibility that their name is also an adjective that can be used to describe their music?

Wow -- "Version 2.0" is probably my favoite album of all time, and "Special" is one of my favorite singles. One thing I really like about Garbage is their amazingly deep and creative lyrics. There's no "Baby, you drive me crazy" or "Your love was sent from above" here. It's meaningful stuff about love, pain, and mental illness presented in a very unique and interesting way. The driving rhythms in the background are juxtaposed with Shirley's smooth, seductive vocals. It's an amazing and hypnotic sound. Version 2.0 is one of only two CDs that I can listen to straight through without becoming bored or annoyed. I strongly recommend it to anyone who is tired of the trivial nature of today's mainstream pop.

Their name says it all....GARBAGE!

Gee..let's change our name to Shirley to promate a er, then prance around onstage like loose . Sure they had their flash in the pan but where are they now? So do you think they would have been popular at all if it weren't for they way Shirley acted and her lyrical content? Not too much critical thinking needs to be done here to determine they weren't as great as what they first appeared to be.

Garbage is right. This band truly sucks.

they're cute

Great look, great lyrics and WICKED SOUND!!!!

The name of the group pretty much says it all....

i like her voice and i really started respecting her when she bashed jennifer lopez!

I'm not the biggest fan of their music but that Manson chick has such great style....four stars for being a diva and a so-so for musical talent.

they live up to their name!

They live up to their name.

Garbage is garbage. If you haven't heard them, you don't want to.

Shirley is my IDOL. Gotta love the clothes, the hair, the attitude...and the music just reeks cockiness. Doesn't get much better than that!

A refreshing lot in a field of clones. The jury is still out though. I mean, they've only released two major albums.

Anybody could have written these lyrics. This group is complete garbage.

The name says it all.

I think the name may sum it up. One last thing though- that girl scares me. :-0

An often overlooked, VERY talented band.. Shirley is a goddess..

Garbage & James Bond fit perfect together! :o)

They are.