Placebo – Battle For the Sun

Releasedate: 08-06-2009; Label: PIAS
By: Nina Mende

Placebo is an alternative rock band formed in London in 1994, currently consisting of Brian Molko, Stefan Olsdal and Steve Forrest. To date, they have released six studio albums, six EPs and twenty-seven singles. The band has gained a considerable amount of international recognition. They have sold over one million albums in the UK and over ten million worldwide. Thus far, Placebo are best known for hit songs such as “Nancy Boy”, “Pure Morning”, “You Don’t Care About Us”, “Every You Every Me”, “The Bitter End”, “Twenty Years”, “Black-Eyed”, “Because I Want You”, “Infra-Red”, “Meds” and a cover of the Kate Bush song “Running Up That Hill”. Placebo’s style has varied greatly. Their first album featured a raw sound and a fairly minimalistic instrumental lineup, but proceeding albums have had a slower, more melancholy, tone and they started experimenting with synthesisers and other, less traditional, modes of sound production (particularly after Black Market Music).

Finally a new album, but no really new sound. This album has the typical Placebo sound which is of course great but somehow I had expected something different. Some songs, like for example “Battle For The Sun” or “For What It’s Worth”, is very inspired by some other songs and therefore sound quite familiar. The booklet, cover and back are perfectly fitting to the music and the title. On the cover you can see a solar eclipse. In the booklet you find very dark pictures of each band member as well as the lyrics. Sometimes while listening to this album you get the impression of it being a complete story, maybe it really is. “For What It’s Worth” is a very rocking song on this album, maybe even the fastest, whereas “Bright Lights” is a very emotional song. “Speak In Tongues” is a very interesting song as from what I’ve heard Brian Molko’s favorite of the album. I myself haven’t found my favorite yet, I am still pending. All lyrics are very interesting to listen to, some are deeper than others, but all tell a story that probably many of us can relate to. “Kings Of Medicine” is not only closing the album but its sound is also a little outstanding. Although it is the last song on the album it’s not really finishing it. After this song you still sit there inwardly aroused by the album. An “open ending” so to speak. “Battle For The Sun” is a very interesting and good album, indeed, yet still a lot like the previous albums.

Tracklist: 1. “Kitty Litter” 2. “Ashtray Heart” 3. “Battle for the Sun” 4. “For What It’s Worth” 5. “Devil in the Details” 6. “Bright Lights” 7. “Speak in Tongues” 8. “The Never-Ending Why” 9. “Julien” 10. “Happy You’re Gone” 11. “Breathe Underwater” 12. “Come Undone” 13. “Kings of Medicine”

Links:
Placebo MySpace
Placebo Official