Placebo fans, it’s about that time again. Placebo will be releasing their long-awaited album “Battle for the Sun” on 8 June 2009 and the band has already released their first single, “Battle for the Sun.” But this time, there is a huge difference; this album is under a new label, a new producer (David Bottrill), and a new drummer. They were signed with EMI and its branches from 1995 to 2007, which makes it about a twelve year history, and have now signed onto PIAS as of last year.
The current drummer, Steve Forrest, was added a few months ago after Steve Hewitt left due to personal and musical differences. There have already been comments towards the fact that Steve Forrest is American and that his musical style may clash with the European indie rock band, but what many do not know is that Brian’s father is an American and both Molko and Olsdal went to school together in an American international school (American International School of Luxembourg). The new album has generated very high expectations from Placebo fans not just because of Hewitt’s departure, but also the change in record labels. “Battle for the Sun” is likely going to receive both positive and negative comments due to so many changes; it may impossible to stop many people from emitting biased opinions.
The single “Battle for the Sun” was released on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show on Tuesday 17th March. Placebo has come a long way from “Nancy Boy” to “Pure Morning” to “Meds” to “Battle for the Sun,” and the difference is significant due to many factors; the band is growing up and with that their views have evolved. The lyrics are still existing on two opposing levels: the straightforward and the metaphoric. With this approach, the band continues to embrace life for its negatives and positives, hence the title “Battle for the Sun.” Lines like “I will brush off all the dirt … I will pretend it didn't hurt” straightforwardly states these thoughts, but “Dream brother, my killer, my lover” leaves a listener wondering possibly for days trying to figure out what the band means. While many may say the repetitions of certain words are “odd,” there is a reason for those repetitions: emphasis, as the subject shifts from one topic to another.
Placebo has an effect on all fans: they create infectious songs that only become more addictive with time. It is difficult to find any track that does not deliver and with their “Battle for the Sun” album coming out in a few months, this leaves fans dying of anxiety, so keep a look out for their release in June and a Limited DVD box set can be preordered, possibly hiding a golden laminated ticket which holds a VIP dinner with the band, a live performance, and two nights accommodation in a city in your country.
Track Listing
1. Kitty Litter
2. Ashtray Heart
3. Battle For The Sun
4. For What It’s Worth
5. Devil In The Details
6. Bright Lights
7. Speak In Tongues
8. The Never-Ending Why
9. Julien
10. Happy You're Gone
11. Breathe Underwater
12. Come Undone
13. Kings Of Medicine