- Artists:
- Placebo »
- Label:
- EMI Records »
They are undoubtedly one of British rock’s international success stories but Placebo seem to almost slip under the “Cool Radar” every single time they release a record. The London trio have achieved a notable and prolonged career by maintaining their ability to progress just enough from the last album, be it in style or quality, to keep their existing fanbase happy while still providing something a bit different.
Meds’s pseudo-goth indie-pop treads a familiar path, its reasonably standard mixture of radio-friendly songs ranging from the fast-stomping keyboard-led numbers to the heartstring-tugging, slow almost-ballads. There is the odd track, such as ‘Space Monkey’, that shows a bit of experimentation and this is no accident. Interestingly sampling their own back catalogue (‘Leni’), this electronically-styled song is reminiscent of Bauhaus, and while it shows no shift in focus, their willingness to test new waters is reassuring in this world of bland assembly-line music.
Placebo’s work has definitely progressed solidly over the past decade gaining intricacy and improving the level of songwriting immeasurably from the days of the simple classic ‘Nancy Boy’. Sadly Brian Molko’s lyrics have not matched the same level of advancement, and so we still have to bear witness to his implementation of some ridiculous rhyming strategies in his songwriting. The entirety of the ambling ‘Follow The Cops Back Home’ results in the goth dwarf ending each line of every verse in something that fits in with the Jimmy Choo / Shampoo / You / Through / etc style. It starts to grate after a while.
Luckily, there are also tracks like _‘Infra-Red’ _and _‘Post Blue’ _in attendance. They are the kind of tracks that really remind you of what classic Placebo is all about: a stomping rhythm section features throughout while Molko’s laconic, disinterested vocal style only really comes alive during the invigorating chorus. When you consider the quality of the duets as well – *VV *from the Kills and *Michael Stipe *– it shows the esteem that their peers hold them in. Indeed, Stipe’s gentle appearance on _‘Broken Promise’ _is both eerie and calming at once, his warm voice complementing Molko’s nasal whine perfectly as the song repeatedly erupts into an explosive chorus.
While there is nothing even marginally groundbreaking here, *Placebo *have still returned with another steady record in Meds. Building on their past fortunes without too much expectation or discomfort, this is a band who know their weaknesses, but ultimately this is a band that knows their own strengths, however limited they may be, and they display them with an adequate execution.
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i agree on your remarks re Infra-Red. Excellent song.
good review
but Placebo are just getting worse with every album...
I don't expect anything from the new one.
good review thrice!
i am enjoying this album didnt expect too much different from it but the collaborations are excellent.
Good Review, again
Not sure about Stipe's contribution being that flattering, but you've picked out the highlights really well
I don't agree
Placebo used to be amazing. I don't agree that they've progressed constantly, I think they found a comfy little radio-friendly niche and stayed there. There's no punk spirit anymore. Placebo used to rule, now they just narrate.
Still, at least it's better than Sleeping With Ghosts.
I miss
... their old aesthetic so much. now it all seems like cliches and going through the motions. i'm yet to buy this, but i will as i'm a completist and they used to be my fave band many moons ago... when nancy boy was MY song...
Me too, I don't agree
I will still buy it because of the sheer uniqueness of Brian's vocals and his guitars, which I really like. But no, this is not good enough in no way - is this a matter of talent or attitude? - I'm not sure to be honest, but surely I want them to do a lot better.
I think its Great!
Give it a couple of listens, it will work its magic!
is this album
as expensive in the UK as it is in France ( 20% more than usual albums ) ?
I feel deceived,
I bought the album as I liked the single, but the tracks on it sound like re-writing of thier old singles with fancy production - and these pretty much sound the same. I think it's half-hearted. It will still sell though - consumers rejoice! (and the recorod company)
Sorry but
I think the production - or the material - is pretty poor. Sounds like an expensive demo.
i am seeing
if this works
cheers raz
it worked, and everything.
any plans to put the link to this board back in the main list? i know this has been asked before.
there are plans
apparently
OMFG HATRED!
Wow. I know it's inevitable that people will be adamant about their music tastes but I mean... wow. Is it really necessary to rail against a band this much? Placebo are often accused of being overly whiney, but Radiohead, to my knowledge are not, even though blow me if Thom Yorke doesn't have the moaniest singing style ever...it's their gimmick, they stick to it and it works for them. They're pretty good at it, and Meds is a great summary of this IMHO. Meds itself is a great tune (especially live when the buzzing guitar sounds really crazed), while the rest of the album is packed with a varied selection of style. Follow the Cops Back Home is wonderfully soulful, and if you don't like the rhyme scheme then frankly you're focussing in a weird place. Broken Promise and One of a Kind are pretty freaky, kind of Pure Morning with serious attitude and better lyrics, and In The Cold Light Of Morning is Centrefolds sped up and pissed off. All in all I love the album, although at times Pierrot The Clown sounds a little pathetic.
If you don't like Placebo, or don't like where they've gone over the years, then fine. But I can't say that I've ever heard anyone that does anything remotely like them, and in these days of millions of Libertines and Arctic Monkeys, that seems to me to be a definite positive. And Frankly Molko's voice is brilliant, albeit perverted and weird.
Miss the old Placebo...
Some songs are catchy, I could grow to like them. Others are either dull or just ridiculous. Killer tunes and guitars in certain songs though, and Brian's vocals caught me by pleasant surprise a few times. Unfortunately, this is the first Placebo album I just can't bring myself to buy. :(
OMFG HATRED!
I don't have a problem with them being "different" as long as it's a *good* different.
It isn't hatred, I still respect and love Placebo for what they did in their previous albums. Maybe they just need... a bit of a break. :/
Yeah...
They really do need a break, but I just hope you don't mean a permanent break :S
Same here
I wasn't going to post any comments about Meds because I bought it pretty late, but you encouraged me to do so.
I bought this album quite excited after listening to "Meds(kind of what I like in music)" and "Space Monkey(industrial, not bad)", and at first listen I was like "OK, it's not really bad", thinking that it would probably grow on me. But then, I decided to analize the lyrics, and I realized that Brian has never been a lyrical genious; but then again, people give so much credit to artists that write equally crappy lyrics. The problem is that Placebo, or should I say, Brian, claims to have matured and that's why they killed Nancy Boy(like I really gave a damn peanut about their sexuality or if they ever dressed in drag). Well then: Brian, babe, you should show that you've matured in your lyrics as well.
People don't really pay attention to lyrics, but I thought it would be good to point that out.
That being said, I really shouldn't care about Brian's songwriting and just concentrate in enjoying the tunes. So I did, but they didn't really transmit anything to me. I didn't "feel" the music, but I take it as something personal, since not everybody reacts the same way to music.
The only songs that I do enjoy are, as I said, "Meds" and "Space Monkey", along with "Follow The Cops Back Home(because, somehow, it reminds me of WYIN era)" and "Song To Say Goodbye", with a lot of drama and tragedy.
The other thing: Brian Brian Brian, cute "little mermaid", what the hell's going on with your singing style?
I don't know, maybe it's just me, but doesn't anybody feel that Brian's voice has changed, and not in a good way? I mean, many think that Sleeping With Ghosts was shit, but I personally prefer Brian's voice on that album than here. Actually, I prefer SWG to this. He, um, kind of annoys me on this new album. Is he trying to sound more like a guy, or is his voice changing? I strongly hope that it's because of the first reason.
Well, then I can say that this is the first Placebo album that disappoints me. So I hope that next time they work a little harder... if there is a next time...
And Brian, hun, I don't want to be rude or anything(because I love you) but, stop being such a prick(didn't sound like I love you, but I do). I mean, it's not my problem but, thanks to your attitude, the whole band has to pay the "broken dishes", if you know what I mean. And well, I believe in negative energies and all that shit, and since this isn't exactly your best album(in my opinion), why not try to keep your enemies(the press) closer by being friendly rather than annoying the crap out of them... and some fans too(like moi). And remember, you're not a genious, only a musician and lead singer like many in this world, but you're still my little diva princess ;) Just my thoughts...
Did I say too much? I don't think so. Only what I perceive... Although I'm probably going to get killed by a Placebo fan, but the annoying kind of fan...
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