I am aware, im writing this 2 years after the album came out- i write these mainly because i want to write articles as a career, and for fun.I'd appreciate constructive criticism, if you could . thanks.
Three years after the release of iffy 'Sleeping With Ghosts', Placebo returned with 'Meds' forgetting once and for all the androgyny and mystery that had surrounded them a few years before. While the 2003 release saw the band edging away from that, 'Meds' confirmed what every fan knew would eventually happen- Molko and co. would grow up.
Meds is a celebration of all their past music, all rolled into a more rock-orientated sound which was paraded on their self-titled debut album. Molko's sighing wail however still sounds as fresh as ever, his guitars playing an even bigger part in the sound of the album. Hewitt's drumming is less funky and more plain, which although adds a sense of conformity to the album, also simply ties in with how it should sound.
Opener 'Meds' starts with simple chords, but from the first few seconds, it is clear this is nothing like the fans have previously heard from placebo. VV from the kills makes a pleasant contribution to the song, as it comes to its noisy, claustrophobic climax, repeating the words "Sex, Drugs & Complications." From the start, we know the album is a reflection on not only the lives of the members but a reflection of the band's past.
'Infra Red' is a breath of fresh air, however. Simple and poppy, it is very catchy and you'll find yourself singing along quite quickly. Molko's voice has never sounded so good- whether it's through perfecting his voice or very good editing.
'Drag' jumps straight on after, but it's title is misleading. This is not another 'Nancy Boy', but a pop song about admiring someone. Although it seems to be about a lover or partner, it can be about anybody- friend, sister, fans? "I've just gotta get it off my chest/i think youre divine' sighs Molko, in the final verse. an uplifting, beautiful pop-rock song.
'Space Monkey' returns to the sleaze side of the band, with its slow, lazy beats, and Kills-esque guitar and singing. The chorus is belted out by molko, under an array of beautiful noise, but the best part is the ending, the song finished by the words "like you let me down before". This is definitely the best song of the album.
After four jumpy, pop anthems, Placebo chill out with Follow The Cops Back Home. Both the guitar and drums sort of echo, in a simplistic way, harmonising not only with each other, but with Molko's singing. This is a lot quieter than previous songs, but it does not feel out of place- in fact, there is no other place for it, really.
Post Blue, however, feels most out of place after the previous song, but does its job in bringing us back to the sound portrayed in the first four songs. Olsdal's bass works again with the drums to make the guitar sound even better, showing how brilliantly made this album is.
The first single from the album is Because I Want You . another song of reflection, everything works perfectly together to make this another high point in the album. After Post Blue, this is a summery breath of fresh air, with the simple piano in parts working beautifully with the lyrics.
The next track, Blind concentrates mostly on Molko's singing, and the lyrics are lovely. "Find a brand new way of seeing/your eyes forever glued to mine - it may seem slightly cheesy, but for placebo, these lyrics are quite romantic.
Pierrot The Clown however, is another slow, simple song. It's lyrics are much like Molkos cry- bruising, but brilliant.
Another collaboration comes with next song Broken Promise - this time in the form of REM's Michael Stipe. his and Molko's voice work perfectly together to make this song the angry belter it should be. Full of emotion, the explosive choruses are a contrast to the piano-ed verses.
One Of A Kind is extremely similar to Infra Red, but the repetition is needed after having two quite emotional songs in a row. It is another song to smile to, and a perfect song to listen to in the spring or summer.
Another weak point, however, is penultimate track In The Cold Light Of Morning . Returning to previous styles of writing- "A loser/a sinner/a cock in a dildo's disguise" , for example, but it simply feels like filler, before the brilliant final track, Song To Say Goodbye .
Again, sounding similar to previous songs, it still manages to end the album on a high- an emotion-filled beautiful song to prove that Placebo can still give brilliant music, even if it means leaving unsatisfied fans behind.
Three years after the release of iffy 'Sleeping With Ghosts', Placebo returned with 'Meds' forgetting once and for all the androgyny and mystery that had surrounded them a few years before. While the 2003 release saw the band edging away from that, 'Meds' confirmed what every fan knew would eventually happen- Molko and co. would grow up.
Meds is a celebration of all their past music, all rolled into a more rock-orientated sound which was paraded on their self-titled debut album. Molko's sighing wail however still sounds as fresh as ever, his guitars playing an even bigger part in the sound of the album. Hewitt's drumming is less funky and more plain, which although adds a sense of conformity to the album, also simply ties in with how it should sound.
Opener 'Meds' starts with simple chords, but from the first few seconds, it is clear this is nothing like the fans have previously heard from placebo. VV from the kills makes a pleasant contribution to the song, as it comes to its noisy, claustrophobic climax, repeating the words "Sex, Drugs & Complications." From the start, we know the album is a reflection on not only the lives of the members but a reflection of the band's past.
'Infra Red' is a breath of fresh air, however. Simple and poppy, it is very catchy and you'll find yourself singing along quite quickly. Molko's voice has never sounded so good- whether it's through perfecting his voice or very good editing.
'Drag' jumps straight on after, but it's title is misleading. This is not another 'Nancy Boy', but a pop song about admiring someone. Although it seems to be about a lover or partner, it can be about anybody- friend, sister, fans? "I've just gotta get it off my chest/i think youre divine' sighs Molko, in the final verse. an uplifting, beautiful pop-rock song.
'Space Monkey' returns to the sleaze side of the band, with its slow, lazy beats, and Kills-esque guitar and singing. The chorus is belted out by molko, under an array of beautiful noise, but the best part is the ending, the song finished by the words "like you let me down before". This is definitely the best song of the album.
After four jumpy, pop anthems, Placebo chill out with Follow The Cops Back Home. Both the guitar and drums sort of echo, in a simplistic way, harmonising not only with each other, but with Molko's singing. This is a lot quieter than previous songs, but it does not feel out of place- in fact, there is no other place for it, really.
Post Blue, however, feels most out of place after the previous song, but does its job in bringing us back to the sound portrayed in the first four songs. Olsdal's bass works again with the drums to make the guitar sound even better, showing how brilliantly made this album is.
The first single from the album is Because I Want You . another song of reflection, everything works perfectly together to make this another high point in the album. After Post Blue, this is a summery breath of fresh air, with the simple piano in parts working beautifully with the lyrics.
The next track, Blind concentrates mostly on Molko's singing, and the lyrics are lovely. "Find a brand new way of seeing/your eyes forever glued to mine - it may seem slightly cheesy, but for placebo, these lyrics are quite romantic.
Pierrot The Clown however, is another slow, simple song. It's lyrics are much like Molkos cry- bruising, but brilliant.
Another collaboration comes with next song Broken Promise - this time in the form of REM's Michael Stipe. his and Molko's voice work perfectly together to make this song the angry belter it should be. Full of emotion, the explosive choruses are a contrast to the piano-ed verses.
One Of A Kind is extremely similar to Infra Red, but the repetition is needed after having two quite emotional songs in a row. It is another song to smile to, and a perfect song to listen to in the spring or summer.
Another weak point, however, is penultimate track In The Cold Light Of Morning . Returning to previous styles of writing- "A loser/a sinner/a cock in a dildo's disguise" , for example, but it simply feels like filler, before the brilliant final track, Song To Say Goodbye .
Again, sounding similar to previous songs, it still manages to end the album on a high- an emotion-filled beautiful song to prove that Placebo can still give brilliant music, even if it means leaving unsatisfied fans behind.
