The British band Placebo have gotten more ink for the sexuality of its members than its music, which, to judge by their sixth studio album "Battle of the Sun" is completely understandable. This is formulaic rock at its worst, pumped out by dull, uninspired alt-rockers who should have retired the title long ago. It is not that Placebo is offensive; it is that Placebo fails to make any impression at all, aside from leaving a slightly metallic tang in one's mouth.
Take, for example, the title track. As he explains, he has "nothing left to say...say...say" hoping that the use of repetition will either make a hilariously ironic point, or simply drive everyone on the listening end to wonder why they bothered to buy this album. The last thing needed in this transitory media age is a band with nothing to say: we have plenty of unfocused noise as it is.
On the positive side, "Bright Lights" offers the listener a comforting blend of late 80's/early 90's Echo and the Bunnymen frenetic guitar wash blended with punkish, upbeat backing vocals that remind one of what Billy Corgan would have sounded like if he had been well-adjusted. Which is and is not a good thing for the listener.
In this case, "Bright Lights" is anthemic without being particularly meaningful; it allows the listener a temporary harmonic reprieve from the rest of the album, which sinks into dirge-like bass and unimaginative lyrics. Placebo's problem is that they seemingly began listening to music in 1995, and then switched off all auditory input in 1996.
Music doesn't have to be upbeat to be good, but it should never be boring. Placebo does not win the battle.
Take, for example, the title track. As he explains, he has "nothing left to say...say...say" hoping that the use of repetition will either make a hilariously ironic point, or simply drive everyone on the listening end to wonder why they bothered to buy this album. The last thing needed in this transitory media age is a band with nothing to say: we have plenty of unfocused noise as it is.
On the positive side, "Bright Lights" offers the listener a comforting blend of late 80's/early 90's Echo and the Bunnymen frenetic guitar wash blended with punkish, upbeat backing vocals that remind one of what Billy Corgan would have sounded like if he had been well-adjusted. Which is and is not a good thing for the listener.
In this case, "Bright Lights" is anthemic without being particularly meaningful; it allows the listener a temporary harmonic reprieve from the rest of the album, which sinks into dirge-like bass and unimaginative lyrics. Placebo's problem is that they seemingly began listening to music in 1995, and then switched off all auditory input in 1996.
Music doesn't have to be upbeat to be good, but it should never be boring. Placebo does not win the battle.
About the Author:
New Placebo CD "Battle for the Sun" is, at its title promises, an abstract and somewhat mixed collection of songs, sung with the disaffected nasal whine so common in so-called alt 'indie' guitar groups that it should be referred to by number, as in, disaffected nasal whine #1.
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