Placebo - Battle for the Sun
Words by Sophie Eggleton
After what has seemed liked a painstaking break for their loyal fan-base, the band have released the first single (via free download on their official website) off the album of the same name ‘Battle for the Sun’, after it debuted on Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio 1 show on March 17. After a tumultuous last few years, with 2007 seeing the departure of their drummer of over 10 years Steve Hewitt and the expiration of their deal with Virgin, the veteran rockers are back and excited for the next stage of their already illustrious and lengthy career.
This is the first recording featuring new 22 year old drummer Steve Forrest, formerly of punk band Evaline. He had become acquainted with Placebo when his band opened for them in 2007 and happily filled the vacancy left after after musical and personal differences within the band. As with any band line-up changes, there were anxieties. How would the new addition affect the much loved Placebo sound?
As a fan since their debut self titled album, I am happy to report that from hearing ‘Battle for the Sun’ we needn’t worry. The technical and varied drumming, and added youth, may in fact signal an exciting new phase for the band. The song’s opening is bleak yet forceful with a trudging guitar, reminiscent of QOTSA, which is then accompanied by Forrest running rim shots and bell hits progressing to an angry, heavy hitting bridge. Although it doesn’t reach the poppy levels of ‘Every you, Every me’ (which featured in teen classic ‘Cruel Intentions’ and increased their profile amongst the chart followers), or feature the classic singalong Nancy Boy lyrical flow, it does features telling, poignant lyrics. There are lines which are sure to stir Placebo fans to chant at the top of the voices, and punch the air at gigs. The standout phrase, which perhaps explains most about the songs story, ‘dream brother, my killer, my lover’, is accompanied by a dreamy piano uplift. It’s not dissimilar to Sigur Ros and adds beautiful light to a relatively intense track.
Lyrically Molko knows when a song calls for complicated content and when a few choice, direct lines will hold more power. “You are a cheap and nasty fake’ followed by ‘I am the bones you couldn’t break ,’ tells us all we need to know about the mood of the narrative, whilst making it a song we can all relate our own stories to. Also, a technique used before in songs such as ‘Allergic’ is used with aplomb. Continuous repetition of words and phrases reveals the extent of Molko’s frustration, anger and resolve, his volume spanning from whispers to force and only working to emphasise this.
The song concludes beautifully. Featuring Molko’s deliberately tiring voice alone, reciting the song title, engaging us like a cinematic moment where the hero heartbreakingly reaches his demise, finding enough gusto in his last breath to triumph and state his mighty cause to the end.....
Molko has spoken of the self-funded release as ‘a record about choosing life’, and ‘about stepping out of the darkness and into the light.’ Famed for their ability to produce songs with unyielding melancholy ‘Battle for the Sun’ is inevitably tinged with sadness, but the overriding emotions seem to be a bitterness and resentment, used to deliver a tirade of fighting talk to the opposing person. I say person, it is probably someone that was/or is important to the frontman. Molko’s impressive back catalogue of lyrics often draw on personal relationship experiences, or tap into the human condition; subjects which never fail to appeal to music fans.
I am yet to find a disappointed Placebo fan. Molko’s revealing lyrics are there, as is his distinctive Anglo-American twang. There is also the expected emotion and relationship angst. More excitingly though, there seem to be some changes. Whether it’s due to the phase in their life/career, the influence of the youthful ‘optimism’ of Forrest, or the mixes created by Dave Bottrill (Tool) and Alan Moulder (My Bloody Valentine /NIN ), or a combination of many factors, I am pretty sure ‘Battle For The Sun’ will become another classic track.
The bands sixth album “Battle For The Sun”,is due to be released June 8, 2009.
Posted Fri, March 20, 2009
Comments on Placebo - Battle for the Sun
Guys, u`re great! I`m your fan best ever before ^^
Posted by: piXel | 17/06/2009 at 12:55