The Classic Albums Retrospect (Part Two)

Garbage - Version 2.0, 1998


My second favorite album of all time is the second album from Scottish/American group Garbage.

Garbage formed in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1994. The band consists of Scottish vocalist Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig, and has counted worldwide album sales of over 14 million units. Their debut album, Garbage, was an unexpected smash, selling over 4 million copies and certified double platinum in the UK.

Version 2.0, the bands second album, was released in 1998 and I was eager and excited to get my hands on it. It didn't disappoint. It seemed to fuse together grunge rock and dance and was, at the time, ground breaking in it's production.

In May 1998, Version 2.0 debuted at #1 in the UK and at #13 in the Billboard 200. Garbage began touring Version 2.0 on May 15, a tour which lasted until the end of 1999 and one that I was able to go and see, one of my first concerts and I loved it. 

"I Think I'm Paranoid" was released worldwide in July, while the music video for "Push It" received eight nominations at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards. By October 12, "Special" was released and Garbage was nominated for three MTV Europe Music Awards: "Best Group," "Best Rock Act" and "Best Video" for "Push It". In early 1999, Version 2.0 received two Grammy Award nominations for Album of the Year and Best Rock Album. Version 2.0 was awarded the European Platinum Award by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry for 1 million sales across Europe and U.S.

To this day this is an album that I can listen to from beginning to end and it's managed to stand the test of time as a brilliant album.

Special, When I Grow Up and the haunting You Look So Fine are all album highlights and as a group they are sadly missed. Manson's angry but beautiful voice and Butch's modern production made these a true and brilliant group.

Track Listing;

1. "Temptation Waits" – 4:36
2. "I Think I'm Paranoid" – 3:38
3. "When I Grow Up" – 3:23
4. "Medication" – 4:06
5. "Special" – 3:43
6. "Hammering in My Head" – 4:52
7. "Push It" – 4:02
8. "The Trick Is to Keep Breathing" – 4:11
9. "Dumb" – 3:50
10. "Sleep Together" – 4:03
11. "Wicked Ways" – 3:43
12. "You Look So Fine" – 5:23