Review: Placebo – Battle for the Sun
Sergio reviews the brand new Placebo.
Artist Name: Placebo
Album Name: Battle for the Sun
Year: 2009
Genre: Alternative Rock
I’ve been waiting to get my grubby little paws on Placebo’s new album and finally, I have it!
Guys and girls, let me start off by saying that I’ve struggled immensely to find superlatives to describe Battle for the Sun – it’s one of those albums that you need to hear at least once in your life in order to understand.
The eclectic sound often induces a paradox of emotions – you don’t know whether you want to laugh or cry at the grandiosity of songs, such as ‘Battle for the Sun’ and ‘Kings of Medicine’. The addition of strings and horns to certain sections has also created a new dynamic in Placebo’s sound which masterfully enhances the melancholic tracks. In the final piece of this musical puzzle, Brian Molko’s trademark nasally voice completes the masterpiece with his eccentric lyrics and vocal hooks. It all comes together just flawlessly.
Even if you don’t buy this album, please do yourself a favour and listen to it just once. BFTS is like a psychedelic drug, which will call for you time and time again. The vividness and genius of the album grows with every single listen and permanently indents itself in your memory – Friday night, I couldn’t sleep at all with the haunting presence of ‘Battle for the Sun’ residing in my head!
Plain and simple, Placebo wrote the David Bowie inspired album that Marilyn Manson wishes he had written. One of the best releases of 2009.
Best Tracks: ‘Kitty Litter’, ‘Speak In Tongues’, ‘Battle for the Sun’ and ‘Kings of Medicine’
95/100
- Sergio Pereira
sergio@musicreview.co.za
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(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)
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The only thing i have to disagree about this review is that listening to it once, you hear a radically different placebo thats catchy and refreshing, but on the second listen, you fall in love with the sound.
I own every placebo album, and let me tell you i think that this is one of the best.
now i’m no longer a confused angst-filled teen, i wanted something more mature and comfortable, a hopeful positive Placebo. They have given me exactly what i wanted, and i couldn’t be happier with the album.
If people are having difficulty with handling the new placebo and are in favor of the old, watch the DVD that comes with the special edition of the album.
Brian said he wanted to show the hope of a fresh new beginning and i think he did that while still being placebo!
Awesome stuff Alix. Glad you love the album too!
This album is the missing link I yearned for.
I did not realise that I needed this, until listening to the first couple of tracks.
Experiencing the new Placebo is tremendously joyfull.
Foot-tapping, head-banging and reflection, all this in the first half of the album.
Brian still has a fair amount of personal issues to deal with
and thanks to this, we get the treat of excellent lyrics.
This, topped with a bit of daring exploration, electronically and stylistically, they ended up with a well rounded album that are going to make you press play and repeat again and again.
I was not very optimistic about Battle for the sun, but listening to the progress of Placebo is a Godsend.
With this album, Brian & co will not only surprise you, but will leave you craving the placebo.
Well done guys.
I was looking for a new group to download when I came across your blog. When I listened to these guys, I absolutely fell in love! Thanks for the post, now I’m off to get the rest of their albums!
Glad you enjoyed it, Indiana
[...] have battled for the sun, experienced nancy boys and seen us at the bitter end, yet they’ve never toured South Africa. [...]
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