The Essential is a compilation album by American alternative rock band Concrete Blonde, released in 2005.

Loftus noted the omission of tracks from the band's 1993 album Mexican Moon and also the lack of any unreleased material.

He concluded it was "a pretty satisfactory overview of Concrete Blonde's IRS output" and "probably OK for the casual fan".

[1] PopMatters described The Essential as "very good, if flawed overview of these cult darlings".

They also noted the lack of any songs from Mexican Moon and also questioned whether the inclusion of "Little Wing" and "Roses Grow" can be considered essential.