placebo: a first album
this piece of work has 'we're trying to offend you, show you our deep side, and make you accept us, all at the same time,' written all over it. the boys here are just starting out, and despite the quality of most of their songs, it shows. they are trying to find their niche in the music industry, walking the thin line between pop/rock (see: 'bruise pristine,' 'swallow') and angsty-teen music (see: the rest of the album, really). where will they end up? only the next album will tell. . .
without you im nothing: a triumph!
if one were to write the story of placebos releases, w.y.i.n.'s chapter would be called 'in which fluffytop and friends put out an album with no mediocre songs.' though not every track is a masterpiece, placebo has found a genre that suits them to a t; the boys have finally decided that they want to be goth/pop. subsequently, they write such fine tunes as 'my sweet prince' and 'scared of girls,' whilst keeping their pop sensibilities and releasing 'pure morning' and 'every you every me.' these singles are well crafted, complete with catchy tunes and easy-to-remember choruses. cheers, brian. . .
black market music: ?
and theyve gone and muddled their genres again. now the boys have gone and put out pop/goth tunes, with lyrics on social and politial issues (subjects which are generally best suited for punk music). perhaps youve heard it and thought to yourself, 'something's not right here, why doesnt the album work?' because the music is introverted and songs like 'blue american,' haemoglobin,' and 'spite and malice' (especially like 'spite and malice!') have extroverted lyrics. it's mismatched. even the better tracks on the record are more explanatory about the narrators feelings. what ever happened to leaving something to the imagination, eh boys?
so, what's placebo all about, then?
placebo is like a teenager, one who, after trying on a few different personalities, thinks he's all grown up and ready to face the world as an adult, when he is still just a young man. the fact of the matter is that 'all grown up and ready to face the world' is just another persona that he's trying out, though he doesnt know it yet. im sure placebo's best work is still down the road; the potential is there, and a few more years of exploration is all its going to take. what form it will be in, i couldnt tell you for sure, but i'd bet it will be far more like w.y.i.n. than their latest endeavour.
take me back to
the beginning!!
