Black Market Music - Placebo

Stomping back into the music arena with full force, Placebo brush the tired Indie drones of melancholic boys away with a flick of a skinny wrist and present this, their Black Market Music, the band’s third album, that all in all establishes their unique sounds as their own and reveals an even stranger insight into their complicated world. There’s no time for this album to grow on you because it grabs you immediately, shakes you viciously then leaves you fearful and wanting more of the same: a twisted mix of lust and hate, ego and self-loathing that’s ever-present in Placebo’s work. Opening with the pulsating, electronic Block Rockin’ ...  Read the complete review

Released in 2000, Black Market Music is Placebo's third LP and is a considerably darker listen than their second album. The title of the album hints at what is on offer here - seedy tales, backstreet deals, broken hearts and of course Brian Molko's song writing forte, drug abuse. The problems with Black Market Music are immediately noticeable. No amount of studio trickery can do away with the simple fact that if your song writing isn't up to scratch, people are going to notice. The songs on BMM aren't bad by any means, but Molko has certainly hit a wall in terms of both developing his song writing and pushing Placebo out of their comfort zone. On their ...  Read the complete review

Placebo are (at the time of this album's release), Brian Molko - lead vocals, guitar, keyboards Stefan Odsal - bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals Steve Hewitt - drums Further information on them can be found at http://www.placeboworld.co.uk/ "Black Market Music" is Placebo's third album. It marked a change to a harder edgier sound than the previous collections, "Without You I am Nothing" and their self-titled debut album. Whilst this album often hits the mark it is let down in places by some weak tracks. This album has some outstanding tracks on it. I would say ...  Read the complete review

Confusion was always going to be the key to the band Placebo's success. With their lead singer in the earlier days seemingly loving the idea of throwing on a frock and too much make up to irritate some of the less open minded people on the planet, such as Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst (bearing in mind the front man in question was indeed a bloke) by the groups third album, it would seem as if a change was needed. Musically, the first two albums were quite different; the self titled debut was punky, angry and slightly arrogant with a good dose of vulnerability to even it all out. Yet, the follow up of 'Without You I'm Nothing' took the last trait to the extremes; ...  Read the complete review

“I was never faithful / And I was never one to trust.” Well I’m glad that’s cleared up then. Truthfully if you take Mr Molko’s lyrics as autobiographical then you do come to the conclusion he may not be the nicest man in the world. But then again if you want ‘nice and safe’ pop stars you end up with the likes of Steps, a world full of Steps clones: what a hideous thought (actually wait hasn’t that already happened?). Still whatever else you think of Placebo, the tag Steps clone is unlikely ever to be applied, although the thought of H in a dress, eyeliner and nail varnish amuses. Led by self confessed ...  Read the complete review