Placebo - Battle For The Sun [Album]

**jack s** · 04:38 PM

There is a place set in everyone's heart for Placebo even if it's just Brian Molko's patent nasal vocal chords that are instantly recognisable or the unique grungy electronic atmosphere they create in their music. What ever it may be, Placebo are a great band. Back in the days of "Pure Morning" being played on MTV2 every five minutes and heartbeat driven "Running Up That Hill" featuring on The OC, this just showed both the talent that they have and the magnitude of their music.

'Battle For The Sun' has a new energy about it. It's a new Placebo at play here, but it's not all good kids. Their sound has improved on this fifth studio album, something that just seemed to be lacking from their previous material is present here. Maybe it's their new drummer or new producer having their creative influence on the three piece that has helped them further hone their sound and in turn create a great sounding record. This is thirteen years of writing music, playing gigs and wearing man liner for Molko. Eventually all of that is going to ware the creativity down a little.

Musically the album couldn't be any better, but lyrically there is a lot to be spoken for. It seems Placebo have been a little lazy when it comes to 'Battle For The Sun'. There is A LOT of repetition in the vocals throughout each track. This works at times, others it does just seem lazy and kind of annoying. The idea of repetition in vocals makes the listener more aware of the lyrics in a shorter time, thus getting stuck in your head. This is shown on self titled track 'Battle For The Sun' with Molko repeating "I, I, I,", "say, say, say", "you, you, you" etc. Uncomfortable as it is to listen to, Placebo then cream all over the place with a harmony filled chorus to bring you back in.

There are some potential rock dance floor fillers on 'Battle For The Sun', bringing a more up beat tempo to Placebo's musical Library. Tracks like 'For What It's Worth', 'The Never-Ending Why' and 'Breathe Underwater'. At times the backing vocals bring a new element of creativity to the record that work really well.

Placebo have a "sound" they can never steer away from, 'Battle For The Sun' showcases them in a new light but nothing completely new, just a refinement of their existing forumla.

Listen To: Kitty Litter, The Never-Ending Why, Breathe Underwater, Come Undone

Tracks:

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

Check them out: www.placeboworld.co.uk

Leave a Comment | Kudos

altsounds · Comment Posted on: July 15, 2009, 10:32 PM

I had a quick listen to this before I sent it. Liked what I heard and which I had a copy

jack s · Comment Posted on: July 16, 2009, 12:38 PM

Yeh its worth a listen. Do you still have spotify? There are a few tracks off the album on there.

altsounds · Comment Posted on: July 16, 2009, 01:49 PM

I do still have it yeah and I use it occassionaly. Not so much of a fan any more though due to the comments on the contra ad thing I have been following up. I suggested they start using our reviews so that they could have more reviews of up and coming material, he responded saying that they are not doing contra anymore and we would need to pay. PAY!?! to help them better their site? No thanks matey

Heron · Comment Posted on: July 16, 2009, 09:15 PM

Spotify are stuggling for cash because everyone decided to download the free version, rather than pay for the one with no ads (did they really not see that coming?).

Now they are going to scrap the pay version and sell tracks for download (basically rivalling itunes AND Myspace at the same time).

altsounds · Comment Posted on: July 16, 2009, 10:14 PM

That will never work, no one wants something that already exists what they had there was quite special and they should just maximize on their audio ads. If radio can do it why can't they?

Heron · Comment Posted on: July 16, 2009, 10:34 PM

It's audio ads that are on the free service, which is still going.

altsounds · Comment Posted on: July 16, 2009, 11:27 PM

Yeah I know, they should just work with that, come up with other cool ways to make money trying to be another music sale site won't work for them.

jack s · Comment Posted on: July 17, 2009, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by altsounds

I do still have it yeah and I use it occassionaly. Not so much of a fan any more though due to the comments on the contra ad thing I have been following up. I suggested they start using our reviews so that they could have more reviews of up and coming material, he responded saying that they are not doing contra anymore and we would need to pay. PAY!?! to help them better their site? No thanks matey

Yeh same i only happened to remember about it the other day. I remember the fella being really keen at first for contra then did exactly what you said. I'm sure that the guy suggested it before me, cause i had no idea what it was.

Originally Posted by Heron

Spotify are stuggling for cash because everyone decided to download the free version, rather than pay for the one with no ads (did they really not see that coming?).

Now they are going to scrap the pay version and sell tracks for download (basically rivalling itunes AND Myspace at the same time).

Originally Posted by altsounds

That will never work, no one wants something that already exists what they had there was quite special and they should just maximize on their audio ads. If radio can do it why can't they?

Originally Posted by Heron

It's audio ads that are on the free service, which is still going.

Originally Posted by altsounds

Yeah I know, they should just work with that, come up with other cool ways to make money trying to be another music sale site won't work for them.

That sound like such a bad marketing plan, there is no way they can rival Itunes .

Heron · Comment Posted on: July 17, 2009, 05:06 PM

I could........if I wanted to.

Review Tools	Search this Review
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Review: Advanced Search
Rate This Item
Rate This Item:


MUSIC & MORE: Music Artists Full Album Streams Radio Stations Charts Artist / Listener Blogs Games Arcade Browse Press Users Browse Listeners	PROFILE SIGNUP: Reader Artist Listener PROFILE LOGIN: Reader Artist Listener	PRESS: News Reviews Features Gear Altsounds TV Giveaways Community The Staffroom Site Editors	BLAND INFO: Help / FAQ About Us The Team Contact Us Promote Us Advertise Here Legal Stuff

> Home > Reviews | Placebo - Battle For The Sun [Album]

Placebo - Battle For The Sun [Album]

Pias

July 15, 2009, 02:14 PM

Leave a Comment | Kudos

66%

66%

"Check out the new look site and the studio arm of Altsounds.com!"

Re: Placebo - Battle For The Sun [Album]

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#2 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

"www.myspace.com/enyoswar"

Re: Placebo - Battle For The Sun [Album]

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#3 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

"Check out the new look site and the studio arm of Altsounds.com!"

Re: Placebo - Battle For The Sun [Album]

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#4 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

Re: Placebo - Battle For The Sun [Album]

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#5 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

"Check out the new look site and the studio arm of Altsounds.com!"

Re: Placebo - Battle For The Sun [Album]

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#6 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

Re: Placebo - Battle For The Sun [Album]

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#7 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

"Check out the new look site and the studio arm of Altsounds.com!"

Re: Placebo - Battle For The Sun [Album]

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#8 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

"www.myspace.com/enyoswar"

Re: Placebo - Battle For The Sun [Album]

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#9 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

Re: Placebo - Battle For The Sun [Album]

Leave a Comment | Kudos

#10 | Subscribe | Send to Friend | Print | Discipline | Report

Users Viewing This Review: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)