Search - Placebo :: Battle for the Sun (Limited Edition) (Incl. Bonus DVD)

The ever changing Placebo

Elizabeth M. Vine | Oz | 06/18/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have been a fan of Placebo since 2003 when I went into a record store and on a whim bought Sleeping with Ghosts. I have never looked back. Sleeping with Ghosts is a truly genius album, and to this day 6 years later, one of my favourites. In 2006, Placebo released Meds. It was a decent album, with some great highlights (Space Money in particular) and now in 2009, here is Battle for the Sun. I will admit that at first i was bias, because this is the first time in 10 years an album has been done without ex-drummer Steve Hewitt. This suddenly turned to excitement when i first heard the title track 'Battle for the Sun'. It was the perfect song, a truly well rounded Placebo sounding effort that had me anticipating the new album.

When the special edition arrived on my doorstep (in two beautiful colour books no less) and I listened to it the first time one thought came to mind: this doesn't sound like Placebo. Where's the mega ballad? Where's the alternative and grunge type sounds? Then you have to remember that they've grown up. How many times can Brian write songs about androgony and drugs? You have to remember he's 36 and has a young son now. Things have changed and I think that's why Placebo have lasted as long as they have. Every album is different. Without You I'm Nothing (their second effort) was very slow and soft, Black Market Music (their third album) was very electronic and Sleeping with Ghosts was...perfect.

After a few more listens, some songs started to stand out, Ashtray Heart, Bright Lights and Breathe Underwater, just to name a few. Still, Battle for the Sun would have to be my favourite song on the album because it is the only song that sounds truly like a Placebo song. The band's sixth effort shows no signs of a band past their prime, or a band that has lost the plot. This album reeks of a band who are changing with the times, who are developing, who are experimenting and who are progressing. This album is a fantastic effort from Brian and co. and will live next to Sleeping with Ghosts in my cd player for a long time to come."

Meds and then some...

Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 07/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I loved Placebo's 2006 release "Meds" and was looking forward to this. For those who liked that album, this is more of the same but with horns featured subtly.



The lyrics might be repetitive in places, but they fit in with the feel of the song. Title track "Battle of the sun" is a perfect example, a slow burning rocker progressing to a grand crescendo with Brian Molko's strangled vocals absolutely soaring towards the end.



"Ashtray heart" is a sunny sing-along, while "For what it's worth" with its choppy riff wouldn't be out of place on an REM album (especially "Monster") and features a nice horn section. Taking down the tempo somewhat is "Devil in the details" with a blistering riff in the chorus. "Bright lights' is a pulsing number with chiming guitars, Molko singing in lower register, and affecting lyrics; "A heart that hurts, is a heart that works". True! Nice and sunny is "The never-ending why".



"Julien" features a low droning bassline and hushed vocals set to a stomping almost Disco beat, leading to a rocking orchestral second half. Definitely one of the finer moments of this disc.



Other standouts include the bouncy "Breathe underwater" and the trio of ballads "Happy you're gone" (with an almost lullaby-like first verse and bittersweet lyrics - "See me in the eyes of another's child/turn away when you see me walking by"), "Come undone", and the "Kings of medicine" (with a nice plucked guitar intro, gentle claps, and triumphant sounding horns at the end).



Every bit as good as "Meds""

Placebo Stays True To Itself.

Elena Kravchenko | 09/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Placebo's last album, Battle For The Sun, surprisingly, has been under a lot of criticism. It is true, that in their last album, the band has stepped outside the "Placebo box" and allowed their creative efforts to manifest themselves in an album that is not a typical Placebo production; however, the fact that the new album is different doesn't diminish the quality of the album: it is different, nevertheless great! In one of the interviews on the Placebo website, Brian Molko, has mentioned that Placebo tried to make the new album more "positive" and "universal" as opposed to their last album Meds that was very "dark" and saturated with personal pain; pain that was explored, poked at and examined, as if "under the microscope." Meds is my favorite album, and many would agree, that the "dark place" that Brian mentions, which inspired Meds, is the place where Placebo is at their best; there, in the "dark," Placebo is in their element, and has no equals. The band's ability to expose the darkest and most agonizing nuances of their personal experiences makes those who listen to their music appreciative of band's openness and makes it easier to connect to the emotions that infuse Placebo's music, because there is no questioning that those emotions are displayed in their most real form, no matter how horrific, embarrassing or painful.

However, one can also appreciate Placebo's attempt to shift their music into a more positive direction. Not every single experience in our life is a negative one, and it is interesting to see Placebo attempt to communicate those positive experiences through their music. Even though in the Battle For The Sun, Placebo has dropped their typical electronic sound, got rid of all the slow ballads, incorporated more positive and hopeful lyrics and infused every single song with an extreme level of energy, the band still managed to maintain the unique style which sets them apart from the rest of the rock bands. Brian's unique voice is as intoxicating as ever; it adds emotional and painful undertone to every song. Brian's high-pitch voice plays a role of a shadow against which the happier tonality of the album becomes not only more distinct, but also more dear. The lyrics of the songs are still engaging, they do not tell the story, but rather describe experiences and communicate emotional reactions associated with those experiences.

Even though the album is solid throughout, there are some extreme highlights: Kings Of Medicine, Breathe Under Water, Happy You Are Gone, Devil In The Details. Those songs not only possess the intensity so typical to Placebo, but also are so full of energy, borderline addictive energy, that after the last note is played one wants to replay the song over again. I think that with this album Placebo has proven that change is not a bad thing; it would have been much worse if the band ignored the fact that they are changing, as people and as a band, and tried to pretend to be who they no longer are. Staying true to themselves, is what allowed this band to be so successful, and to keep such a broad range of followers, since the beginning of their extensive career.

"