Meds [PA] - Placebo > Reviews > Is it a song to say goodbye?

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Almost everything !
Disadvantages:	It has to end !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Placebo's sixth studio album was released in March of 2006, Meds, is the latest offering from the three piece London based band (who just recently became a two - piece after the sad departure of drummer Steve Hewitt.) the original line-up for this album has been the fool proof three of Brian Molko, Stefan Olsdal and Steve Hewitt, together since ex drummer Robert Schultzberg left the band in 1996. After a time wondering if they would ever make it the band made it into the mainstream with 1997's Nancy boy, which led them to their popularity today…!

Meds' highest chart position in the UK, was number 7, which is brilliant for an obscure band, contending with the endless stream of R'n'B, urban and dance acts dominating our charts!

~~ Meds ~~
Featuring Alison "VV" Mosshart from the kills, it was the last single to be released from this album on October 9th 2006, reaching number 35 in the UK singles charts. With the impressive vocal talents of Alison Mosshart, and the ever piercing voice of Brian Molko, the strong lyrics of self and the lives we lead are the prominent feature of this song. However the strong guitar work from that of both Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal are impressive..!

~~ Infra Red~~
The third single released from Meds, on the 19th June 2006 reached 42 in the UK singles charts. The accompanying video features the band and a political broadcast going wrong controlled by ants…! This track is one of the best live tracks from this album, in a huge arena it gets the whole crowd singing. The chorus make you want to listen to it so loudly you could burst your ear drums. I am still not bored with it, nearly two years down the line!

~~ Drag ~~
A highly catchy track of this highly catchy album, this song, has some of the most thought provoking lyrics, that make you think exactly how you think of yourself and how others think of you. The riffs are piercing as usual and fit the loud aggressive chorus' that placebo seem to be trademarked for!

~~ Space Monkey ~~
Three minutes and fifty-one seconds of the strangest placebo track I think I have ever heard, the lyrics certainly make you wonder..! Although if you know placebo then they certainly come as no surprise. Molko's voice is as strong and sharp as ever and certainly makes me want to sing along. This track is spectacular live, the voice changer Brian uses, is something you would expect his 2 year old son to own!

~~ Follow the Cops Back Home ~~
This track was only released in the united states and basically follows the lyrical concept of rebellion against society, although this may be me reading to far into lyrics! At a show this song is the song to get your lighters out to and sing along to. Steve's drumming is more prominent in this track than any other in the album, but it displays his talent perfectly. On a sombre day this song is perfect to listen to and mull over you problems!

~~ Post Blue ~~
I simply do adore this song, it is such a feel - good track perhaps not the best lyrically but it does make u laugh and smile in the right places. The numerous drug references gives a hint to Molko's past and hopefully his future and his relationships. Never the less this song makes a big impact on the album and again is a great live track.

~~Because I Want You~~
The first track released from Meds on the 6th march 2006, the video for this song was filmed at KoKo in London, with hundreds of placebo bands getting a sneak peak of the new tracks before the albums initial release date. This song is highly repetitive but listening to it now still gives me goose bumps especially from the live performance and the pure ferocity of the track…!

~~ Blind ~~
The start of the song is quite quiet but soon bursts into trademark placebo riffs and the stunning heart wrenching lyrics of loss and loneliness straight from Molko's heart as have been for the 12 years they have been producing music give or take a few members.

~~ Pierrot the Clown ~~
This song is incredibly sombre and could almost be described as depressing. Yet it harbours an important message, it seems to be showing the character as down. The back track sounds like a lullaby and is ironic considering many children are scared of clowns.. Anyway that's not my point, this song is the slowest of the album and breaks down the quick pace of the rest of the album. It is defiantly thought provoking but does not leave any room to show off musical talents. Which it does not need to do the mood of the song does that from them…!

~~ Broken Promise~~
Featuring the one and only R.E.M singer, Michael Stipe, broken promise has a melodic piano tune, which bursts into heavy guitars and drumming, with Molko's lyrics being the response to Stipe's low and melodic lyrics. Although this does swap during the song. It might catch you off guard if you have it on too loud, expecting a slow and quite song it does proceed to get quite angry!

~~ One of a Kind ~~
Live this song has to be one of the best tracks ever, Molko is such a showman! The accompanying music reminds me so much of rain into a metal can! It is the catchy song of the album and can provide so many alternative lyrics in the live context, which always leave you singing them after the gig! This song does show and more experimental and developed sound to the ever changing three - piece.

~~ In the Cold Light of Morning ~~
Here we see the album beginning to wind down and have a slower pace, but never the less the track is another thought provoking one, that gave me a break from thinking about my problems and thinking that there are more trivial actions I could take. The music is similar to that of centrefolds from 'Sleeping with Ghosts,' with little showing off of musical talents just a deep involvement with the lyrics and there is a few sexual meanings in here, just to remind you of Molko's sexually charged teenage years..!

~~ Song to Say Goodbye ~~
Is officially the first single released from meds although it was never released in the United Kingdom, the single version is more upbeat but the song never the less is brilliant and is representative of how the year ended for the band not only the album. with the departure of Steve Hewitt.

At first I bought my copy of this from play.com and as a big Placebo fan I was incredibly surprised when it arrived 3 days before the release date!! Being hopefully one of the first people in the country to hear the album! Nowadays the album sells for about £5 in most music stores, but even at that price it is a bargain for an amazing album with catchy tunes and some of the most well thought out lyrics in the charts at the moment, if only everyone else shared my opinion and saw the greatness of this band! Although I know it wouldn't do for us all the to be same, but if you like bands like H.I.M and My Chemical Romance, defiantly give them a try!

Also posted on Dooyoo