Customer Reviews

Battle for the Sun

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have been a fan of Placebo since 2003 when I went into a record store and on a whim bought Sleeping with Ghosts. I have never looked back. Sleeping with Ghosts is a truly genius album, and to this day 6 years later, one of my favourites. In 2006, Placebo released Meds. It was a decent album, with some great highlights (Space Money in particular) and now in 2009, here is Battle for the Sun. I will admit that at first i was bias, because this is the first time in 10 years an album has been done without ex-drummer Steve Hewitt. This suddenly turned to excitement when i first heard the title track 'Battle for the Sun'. It was the perfect song, a truly well rounded Placebo sounding effort that had me anticipating the new album.
When the special edition arrived on my doorstep (in two beautiful colour books no less) and I listened to it the first time one thought came to mind: this doesn't sound like Placebo. Where's the mega ballad? Where's the alternative and grunge type sounds? Then you have to remember that they've grown up. How many times can Brian write songs about androgony and drugs? You have to remember he's 36 and has a young son now. Things have changed and I think that's why Placebo have lasted as long as they have. Every album is different. Without You I'm Nothing (their second effort) was very slow and soft, Black Market Music (their third album) was very electronic and Sleeping with Ghosts was...perfect.
After a few more listens, some songs started to stand out, Ashtray Heart, Bright Lights and Breathe Underwater, just to name a few. Still, Battle for the Sun would have to be my favourite song on the album because it is the only song that sounds truly like a Placebo song. The band's sixth effort shows no signs of a band past their prime, or a band that has lost the plot. This album reeks of a band who are changing with the times, who are developing, who are experimenting and who are progressing. This album is a fantastic effort from Brian and co. and will live next to Sleeping with Ghosts in my cd player for a long time to come.

I loved Placebo's 2006 release "Meds" and was looking forward to this. For those who liked that album, this is more of the same but with horns featured subtly.

The lyrics might be repetitive in places, but they fit in with the feel of the song. Title track "Battle of the sun" is a perfect example, a slow burning rocker progressing to a grand crescendo with Brian Molko's strangled vocals absolutely soaring towards the end.

"Ashtray heart" is a sunny sing-along, while "For what it's worth" with its choppy riff wouldn't be out of place on an REM album (especially "Monster") and features a nice horn section. Taking down the tempo somewhat is "Devil in the details" with a blistering riff in the chorus. "Bright lights' is a pulsing number with chiming guitars, Molko singing in lower register, and affecting lyrics; "A heart that hurts, is a heart that works". True! Nice and sunny is "The never-ending why".

"Julien" features a low droning bassline and hushed vocals set to a stomping almost Disco beat, leading to a rocking orchestral second half. Definitely one of the finer moments of this disc.

Other standouts include the bouncy "Breathe underwater" and the trio of ballads "Happy you're gone" (with an almost lullaby-like first verse and bittersweet lyrics - "See me in the eyes of another's child/turn away when you see me walking by"), "Come undone", and the "Kings of medicine" (with a nice plucked guitar intro, gentle claps, and triumphant sounding horns at the end).

Every bit as good as "Meds"

Placebo's last album, Battle For The Sun, surprisingly, has been under a lot of criticism. It is true, that in their last album, the band has stepped outside the "Placebo box" and allowed their creative efforts to manifest themselves in an album that is not a typical Placebo production; however, the fact that the new album is different doesn't diminish the quality of the album: it is different, nevertheless great! In one of the interviews on the Placebo website, Brian Molko, has mentioned that Placebo tried to make the new album more "positive" and "universal" as opposed to their last album Meds that was very "dark" and saturated with personal pain; pain that was explored, poked at and examined, as if "under the microscope." Meds is my favorite album, and many would agree, that the "dark place" that Brian mentions, which inspired Meds, is the place where Placebo is at their best; there, in the "dark," Placebo is in their element, and has no equals. The band's ability to expose the darkest and most agonizing nuances of their personal experiences makes those who listen to their music appreciative of band's openness and makes it easier to connect to the emotions that infuse Placebo's music, because there is no questioning that those emotions are displayed in their most real form, no matter how horrific, embarrassing or painful.
However, one can also appreciate Placebo's attempt to shift their music into a more positive direction. Not every single experience in our life is a negative one, and it is interesting to see Placebo attempt to communicate those positive experiences through their music. Even though in the Battle For The Sun, Placebo has dropped their typical electronic sound, got rid of all the slow ballads, incorporated more positive and hopeful lyrics and infused every single song with an extreme level of energy, the band still managed to maintain the unique style which sets them apart from the rest of the rock bands. Brian's unique voice is as intoxicating as ever; it adds emotional and painful undertone to every song. Brian's high-pitch voice plays a role of a shadow against which the happier tonality of the album becomes not only more distinct, but also more dear. The lyrics of the songs are still engaging, they do not tell the story, but rather describe experiences and communicate emotional reactions associated with those experiences.
Even though the album is solid throughout, there are some extreme highlights: Kings Of Medicine, Breathe Under Water, Happy You Are Gone, Devil In The Details. Those songs not only possess the intensity so typical to Placebo, but also are so full of energy, borderline addictive energy, that after the last note is played one wants to replay the song over again. I think that with this album Placebo has proven that change is not a bad thing; it would have been much worse if the band ignored the fact that they are changing, as people and as a band, and tried to pretend to be who they no longer are. Staying true to themselves, is what allowed this band to be so successful, and to keep such a broad range of followers, since the beginning of their extensive career.

First off, I really liked the direction Placebo went with their last album "Meds", where the band incorporated more electronic influences into their music, as opposed to their usual live sounding style. Well, with the addition of a new, young and energetic drummer, Placebo has gone back to their more live rock sound as heard on previous three albums before Meds. With "Battle for the Sun" Placebo keeps their old sound, but at the same time spices things up by this time adding orchestral elements (i.e. violins and trumpets) to their music here and there to create a moodier atmosphere. Also, on BFTS the general sound of the music and lyrics have a more uplifting feel to them, with redemption being the major theme of this album. To be honest, I was hoping the band would continue in the direction Meds was going... but then again they did add the song "Bright Lights", which is a great Meds sounding song.

Overall, BFTS is a good album that on its own terms does not disappoint, and it is safe to say it is definitely on par with the rest of the bands consistently strong discography. My current favorite song on the record is "Speak in Tongues" uuuhhhh.... so good!

Since its release, this has been my favorite album by Placebo, which is one of my favorite bands. Discovering that Brian Molko actually broke up with his partner before creating Battle for the Sun makes it even more real and better, in my opinion. If you try playing the album in reverse order, it almost seems to make more sense and convey emotions and events in the order they were experienced. The way the songs are actually ordered on the album seems (at least to me) to say this is how I feel and where I am now and this is why and what happened. Battle for the Sun feels like Brian Molko is taking me through the emotional journey of dealing with, getting through, and getting over and past the difficult break up he experienced. Battle for the Sun is one of the deepest, most real albums I've ever heard. Those who, like myself, have been through similar experiences can identify and connect with the songs and emotional states expressed in Battle for the Sun, but even if you have not, its an audio and emotional masterpiece and the two elements combine to make the perfect vessel for an journey of feeling and music that everyone should experience.

Anyone that does not rate this album with 5 stars needs to have their ears checked. The album is AWESOME! Placebo is awesome! They won the MTV best "Alternative Band" award this year and it is about time they are recognized for thier incredible talent. AWESOME! A MUST buy - MUST have album.... 5 Stars - more if they would let me.

Battle for the Sun being Placebo's 6th studio album and 2009 release is a mix of alternative rock and Post-punk revival. The album was met with mix reviews by the critics. Rolling Stone gave it 2.5/5 and Allmusic 3/5. All the lyrics are included in the booklet along with photographs of the band. The album peaked the charts in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Four singles have been released so far from the album, i.e., "For What It's Worth", "The Never-Ending Why", "Ashtray Heart" and "Bright Lights". To me too many songs sound alike and that is not a good thing since to be frank this release is not all that interesting. Sill good enough to get 3/5. 3/5.

I'm a new fan of placebo, I just heard "for what its worth", bought the album (with the DVD), and became a die hard fan.
This album is rock music at its best. Sometimes you buy a record and only 2-3 songs are really good, well its absolutely not the case here. every song is amazing, and the complete album as a whole is brilliant (though not so sure about the order of the songs, but still).
you can also sense their pride and sureness about the album, which after hearing it, you'll know why.

Placebo has always been one of those bands that looks interesting in the way they like to make music or the way they come up with their lyrics. On "Battle for the sun" it caught my attention the fact that Brian Molko seems to be angry at something or someone or just desperate to say something to someone else and the way he reflected that in these songs is quite awesome. The songs have tons of attitude and the structure of them is well done. Also, it's obvious how the band decided to turn up the volume on the amplifiers to let the guitars do the work again! (a fact that had been put aside in a way on their last two albums: "Sleeping with ghosts (2003) and "Meds" (2006). Songs like "Ashtray heart" and "The never ending why" have the porpuse to rock out loud and the greatest thing is that they reach that goal with honors. "Battle for the sun" on the other hand is a progressive tune that it starts pretty lame but then, the band just explodes! Also, there are other tunes that are just meant to be liked a la "Placebo" way: "Bright lights" (an 80's touch on this one because of the tunes with the keyboards) and "Happy you're gone" (a ballad that we all expect from Placebo... not better than the awesome "Follow the cops back home"/Meds-2006). "Jullien" is the only track here that reminds us to what they had done on their last albums with electronic touches that just last for some minutes before they build up the song into something noisy with guitars again. "King of medicine" is just a great tune as well. An awesome intention from the band to sound bigger and greater than anything we could imagine. Strings, trumphets and some keyboards are the special guests on this song.

It's so good to know that I was wrong when I listened to the single "For what it's worth" (the weakest song on the record by far... but not a bad one though) and thought that maybe Placebo would come up with just another decent record. This might be one of the best albums of 2009 and I even dare to say that this one beats U2's "No line on the horizon".

I've doubted and criticized Placebo's output before, but their newest album is really impressive. 15 years into their career and they've somehow sidestepped becoming a caricature. It has to do with 2 things: the production/mix of this album is flawless, and Placebo now have a new drummer after ousting the one they had for the last 10 years. It was obviously time, because they've not sounded this inspired and rejuvenated in well, about 10 years.

There's hardly a ballad on the album with songs like Kitty Litter, Ashtray Heart and Breathe Underwater pummeling the listener with a dose of hard edged pop. The album's title track and longest song is quite a progressive journey though it's easy to hear motifs of older Placebo songs in it. Of course the album's weakest song For What It's Worth is also the first single, so try not to judge based on that tune alone. Bright Lights (an uplifting pop number) and Speak In Tongues are anthemic in nature, but are also more poignant due to Brian Molko's contemplative lyrics.

There's even a couple things I've never heard them attempt, such as Brian's voice cracking slightly in the chorus of Happy You're Gone. And whereas every previous album closed with a signature ballad, this album ends with the triumphant pop fanfare of Kings Of Medicine.

Granted, Placebo have traded most of their gritty angst for a mainstream sound. And Molko's voice is a bit cloying at times, with his somewhat limited range. Their first few albums had a raw post-pop-punk aesthetic. Then the "middle period" albums started bringing in darker electronic elements, a successful move that ultimately grew a little stale. Now the band, bruised but sounding muscular and alive, is back with a new vibrant energy, making technicolor rock for all to enjoy.