Without You I'm Nothing

Placebo

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 3, 1998)
• Original Release Date: November 3, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B00000DG17
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (121 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #10,810 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #55 in	Music > Pop > Britpop
  #77 in	Music > Alternative Rock > Hardcore & Punk > Punk Revival
  #90 in	Music > Alternative Rock > British Alternative

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This U.K. three-piece's self-titled debut often got compared to Smashing Pumpkins and Rush--Smashing Pumpkins for its unashamed mid-'70s prog-rock allusions and Rush because of singer Brian Molko's unusually high-pitched, almost androgynous voice. In reality, Placebo were far more salacious, downright dirty, and culturally confusing than either. (The band is a mix of American, Swedish, and English, with some Lebanese and Luxembourgian thrown in.) For their second album, Placebo have looked to the late '70s for inspiration, to the sound of early New Order and the Banshees--with a dash of the '90s thrown in: "Brick Shithouse," for example, starts like the most balls-out Prodigy song. If their debut was the sound of a no-holds-barred sexual drug frenzy lasting way into the next day, then Without You I'm Nothing is the resultant rumpled, libidinous comedown. As such, it's much classier, cerebral and great to listen to when hung-over. "I'm unclean / A libertine / And every time you vent your spleen / I seem to lose my power of speech," Molko breathes on the awesomely overcharged title track. In a year when Marilyn Manson and Bauhaus continue to revitalize the goth movement across America, Placebo's moment may well have arrived. --Everett True

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartbreaking, and absolutely wonderful, October 28, 2001

By	alexliamw (London United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

'A friend in need's a friend indeed, a friend with weed is better', declared Brian Molko at the opening of Pure Morning, the first track on their 2nd album Without You I'm Nothing. Here we go, you think, this shall be an album of irrevent lyrics and punky 'choons', ala the groups 1st album, Placebo. How wrong you'd be.

In fact, despite the suggestion of the opening track, the album is a lot more deep. Musically, you have big shiny anthems ('Pure Morning', 'Every You Every Me'), grungy punky noise-blasts ('Brick Shithouse', 'Scared of Girls), punky anthemic sing-a-longs ('You Don't Care About Us').

However where the album really shines is on its heartbroken love songs, which, both musically and lyrically, are amazing, chilling and emotional. 'Ask For Answers', 'My Sweet Prince', 'Summer's Gone' and 'Burger Queen' all do this well, but it is done most effectively on the wonderful yet incredibly sad title track. It is the sound of Brian Molko's desperation and hurt from rejection. 'Without You, I'm Nothing' he finally croons repeatedly, after a slow build-up of guitars to the third minute or so. It affects you incredibly. This alone merits buying the album, and there is plenty more to enjoy. Enjoy.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best albums EVER!!!, July 3, 2005

By	Matthew Lee "Scumdog" (San Diego, CA, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Take some Smiths, some Joy Division, a little Depeche Mode, and a hint of Nirvana, with a singer who can be compared to Getty Lee. Then make it all much darker, deeper and sad! You'd have Placebo. I have listened to this CD more than any other album ever. It is simply brilliant! It is their best work and if I could only take one CD to a desert Island this would probably be it. (Although I'd probably commit suicide after about a year) Mind you it is not for everybody. You must like deep, depressing, androgenous music. Placebo is an awesome 3 piece band! They play catchy uptempo songs as well as slow ballad type songs and even get a little heavy at times. Brian Molko's vocals and lyrics are one of a kind. If you like alternative music with an 80's type feel or any of the bands I mentioned above, you must check out Placebo and definitely this album.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Without this Album, You're Nothing, May 5, 2006

By	Jacob Cowell "Christian Comic Stereophonic Fan" (Waterloo, IA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I should have written this a long time ago. I saw Placebo in London in 2001 and was immediately hooked. They were so much different than the American bands that I was listening to at the time (Tool, Rage, etc.). The band produced seering pop rock that just flowed through the throng of sweaty people at the show. So after that, I went out and bought the album. Pure Morning may be one of the catchiest songs ever written. Once you hear it, it sticks in your brain for days and is nearly impossible to dislodge. Not to be overshadowed are great tracks like Every Me, Every You and You Don't Care about us. These songs crackle with electricity and are great to listen to anytime, but for me, especially when driving. But the highlight to the album has got to be the title track. Very emotional and strong. I recomend this album to anyone who's gotten stuck in a rut with today's mainstream music.