A very good album (Battle For The Sun - Placebo)

Member Name: liamb71

Product:	Battle For The Sun - Placebo
Date:	16/08/09 (6 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 'For what it's Worth'

Disadvantages: 'Kings of Medicine'

I have been an avid Placebo fan ever since I heard 'Nancy Boy' back at the very start of their career, but I like to to think that I am still not so blinkered about them that I lap up and love everything that they release without so much as a second thought. I feel that they have produced a number of very good albums, without ever quite eliminating the 'filler' tracks which, let's face it, are in evidence on moreorless any album that you ever buy. From my point of view, 'Battle for the Sun', their sixth album (not including the greatest hits compliation), follows the pattern - when it is good, it is very very good, but it does at times lapse into mediocrity.

The album starts strongly with 'Kitty Litter', with the distinctive heavily influenced guitar sound and lead singer Brian Molko's impassioned vocals making for an excellent opening track. 'Ashtray Heart' is much more radio friendly, in fact I am surprised that it has not been selected as the second single, and was an instant hit down the front when I went to see them live a few months ago before the album had been released.

The title track is next, and it could have been really good, but for me is spoilt by the repetition of the last part of every line, which gets really aggravating after a bit and adds nothing to the song. Fortunately it is followed by a slice of genius in the form of 'For what it's Worth', a great choice as a first release from the album, and an example of Placebo at their very best.

Next we have a slower track, 'Devil in the Details', but almost as good as what immediately precedes it. 'Bright Lights' is, in my opinion, the first example of 'filler' on the album, mediocre in the extreme. 'Speak in Tongues' is just ok, but 'The Never Ending Why' is a distinct improvement, with the guitars back in full force in a rousing chorus. 'Julien' is also excellent, starting with a very unfamiliar sound for Placebo devotees, and the presence of violins in the chorus is certainly also a new departure for the band, but it works.

In 'Happy you're Gone' the band initially slow things down again in a pleasant enough but not particularly memorable way before Molko's strong vocals again dominate. 'Breathe Underwater' and 'Come Undone' are solid album tracks, better than filler but not destined for greatness. I cannot remember any Placebo album ending on a high, and unfortunately 'Kings of Medicine' follows this trend, for me it is comfortably the worst track on the album.

Overall this is a genuine attempt by the band to offer something new, with different sounds, arrangements etc., and on a number of occasions it works very well. However the fact remains that Molko has a very distinctive voice, and if you do not like it, you are probably not likely to enjoy this album any more than the five which preceded it. I do, and feel that this is as good as anything they have released, whilst still lacking just enough to make it not quite worthy of all five starts.

Summary: Put your prejudices to one side and give it a try!