Version 2.0

Those of you who found yourselves mysteriously drawn to the dark sexuality of Garbage's debut might not get what you expect from their follow-up--at least at first. But a closer listen reveals that VERSION 2.0 is actually much closer to the true Garbage sound. The reason: Where GARBAGE was already more or less completed when Shirley Manson signed up, 2.0 allows her much more freedom to control the group's sound. The distorted guitar hooks, loops and industrialised production that defined Garbage's sound on their debut are still present, but tempered by Ms. Manson's strong pop sensibilities. If you listen closely, you can even catch hints of Blondie and the Pretenders. (They quote the Pretenders "The Talk Of The Town" in "Special".) And while it isn't exactly the Spice Girls or Hanson, 2.0 is a much more upbeat, happy-sounding album. Instead of appealing to the brooding, listen-alone-in-your-room-with-the-lights-out crowd, 2.0 is aimed straight at the dance floor.

Spin (1/99, p.91)
- Ranked #9 on Spin's list of "Top 20 Albums of '98."

Spin (6/98, pp.130-132)
- 8 (out of 10)
- "...By crafting more fully realized tunes, penning lyrics with a specificity that's at once personal and universal, and pumping up the BPMs with an enthusiasm you can feel, these unlikely stars...have created a nonstop singles aggregration that's going to make the crap glutting Modern Rock radio suck even worse..."

Entertainment Weekly (5/15/98, pp.97-98)
- "...[Garbage] shows growth by offering even finer pop tunes and making cheeky new references to music history....With her breathy tone and huffy delivery, [Manson is] Nancy Sinatra walking all over you, or Chrissie Hynde demanding that you stop all your sobbing..." - Rating: B+