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Rating: What to say about this album that has yet to be released (coming out on March 13), but which has already been easily available online for about three weeks? Placebo, as we know, are a certainty. They have never disappointed expectations, and even with this new work, it's a spot-on purchase.
Known for their albums being different from one another, without ever being repetitive, the trio offers with "Meds" a sound that perfectly intertwines a decidedly rock sound (the rhythmic part is very good) with their latest trend towards electronic music, strongly felt in "Sleeping With Ghosts" and also in the new tracks from "Once More With Feeling". The album can be interpreted as a true medicine, comparing the various songs to pills to be taken.
If at first listen both "Because I Want You" (first single released only for the UK) and "Song To Say Goodbye" (first single released for the rest of the world), most fans might be horrified, it must be clarified immediately that they are songs that, if listened to individually, may disappoint. To appreciate them, you need to listen to the entire album, as the whole album, if one can say, is structured in a very precise manner.
Already from the first song "Meds" (duet with VV from The Kills) you can feel that the musical style has slightly changed, introducing, not only in this song but also in many others on the CD, distorted electronic sounds that seem almost irritating and somewhat random. The first song is one of the "energetic" songs included. Immediately after "Meds", it continues with "Infra-Red" and "Drag" (deliberately ambiguous title? Who knows...) decidedly catchy songs that engage you, and, as far as I'm concerned, have caught my attention, paying a lot of attention to listening. After "Space Monkey" (one of the weirdest yet decidedly decent songs that let itself be listened to), it moves to a touching song like "Follow The Cops Back Home", which demonstrates all of Placebo’s skill and mastery in knowing how to move (as with previous songs like "Special Needs"): truly moving... but then begins "Post Blue", decidedly captivating with its beginning (it almost seems like a danceable song). And here comes "Because I Want You" and everything makes sense. And without a doubt, it manages to capture the listener's attention... indeed, it almost seems to charge you a lot (something that didn't happen to me when I first listened to it on the radio online). Very beautiful. Placebo Style (it reminds one of a "Bitter End" less aggressive but with a thread of hidden melancholy in the notes). Following "Blind" beautiful and simple (not at all melancholic), but it manages to convey a feeling of serenity (even if the song cites "Please don't drive me blind"). And then the most beautiful song (in my opinion) of the CD and of Placebo ever written: "Pierrot The Clown". Saying it touches even those with a heart of stone, bringing a tear to even those who have no eyes to cry is an understatement. The atmosphere and the sensations it manages to instill and transmit are so many that it would take so many words, and still, it wouldn’t come close to what you experience listening to it. A song to listen to with your eyes closed, almost like a prayer (okay, now I'm exaggerating...). Not a prayer, but a song that will surely become historic. Then "Broken Promise", a duet with Michael Stipe from R.E.M. Truly stunning. If "Space Monkey" has a sick sound, here are two even sicker ones: "One Of A Kind" and "In The Cold Light Of The Morning" (do not listen to this last one in the car at night: it causes drowsiness with its rhythm and Brian's voice). To close, "Song To Say Goodbye." A real cherry on the Meds cake. One of those songs that makes you say "BUT NOOOO IT'S THE LAST ONE! NOOOO IT'S IMPOSSIBLE! THE CD IS ALREADY OVER! I WANT MORE!!!" But the title says it all. A song to say "Goodbye." So cheer up.
This is Meds, the latest effort from Placebo, now I'll wait for March 13 to be able to buy the CD. Brian, Steve, and Stefan are like wine. They get better with time. Brian's voice is in perfect training, and it's clear that he is definitely in a merciful state (as he had already delighted us with "Twenty Years"), and also Steve and Stefan with drums and bass have really done an excellent job. Congratulations.
If you are lovers of Placebo (because you either love or hate Placebo, there is no middle ground: scientifically-humanly tested on the skin), you already know where to spend your money. And I didn't randomly give 5 stars. Well maybe I've exaggerated... but for me, it’s a well-deserved five.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 Infra-Red (03:17)
One last thing before I shuffle off the planet
I will be the one to make you crawl
So I came down to wish you an unhappy birthday
Someone call the ambulance
There's gonna be an accident
I'm coming up on infra-red
There is no running that can hide you
'Cause I can see in the dark
I'm coming up on infra-red
Forget your running, I will find you
One more thing before we start the final face off
I will be the one to watch you fall
So I came down to crash and burn your beggar's banquet
Someone call the ambulance
There's gonna be an accident
I'm coming up on infra-red
There is no running that can hide you
'Cause I can see in the dark
I'm coming up on infra-red
Forget your running, I will find you
(I'll find you)
[Distorted singing]
Someone call the ambulance
There's gonna be an accident
I'm coming up on infra-red
There is no running that can hide you
'Cause I can see in the dark
I'm coming up on infra-red
Forget your running, I will find you
'Cause I can see in the dark
I'm coming up on infra-red
There is no running that can hide you
'Cause I can see in the dark
I'm coming up on infra-red
Forget your running, I will find you
I'll find you
I'll find you
03 Drag (03:23)
You're always ahead of the game
I drag behind
You never get caught in the rain
When I'm drenched to the bone every time
You're the first one to swim across the Seine
I lag behind
You're always ahead of the game
While I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
You're always ahead of the pack
I drag behind
You posses every trait that I lack
By coincidence or by design
You're the monkey I've got on my back
That tells me to shine
You're always ahead of the pack
While I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
You're always ahead of the rest
When I'm always on time
You got As on your algebra tests
I failed and they kept me behind
I just gotta get off my chest
That I think you're divine
You're always ahead of the rest
While I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
I drag behind
04 Space Monkey (03:53)
A Space Monkey in the place to be
Riding in a rocket to a planet of sound
She and the unplanned Dominos in drag
Increasing population of 100%
Space monkey in the place to be
With a chemical appeal
And a picture of me
Arm around in the carnival of me
Raising the temperature 100 degrees
We're sewn together
She's born to last my
Side of stronger
I die inside her
A Space Monkey in the place to be
A mass of contradictions in golden frame
Raising the roof in a calamity way
Completely meretricious as a poke in the eye
Space monkey in the place to be
Talk of the town with a Colombian rock
Out on a limb in the carnival of me
Raising the temperature one hundred degrees
We're sown together
She's born to mesmer
Beside astride her
I die inside her
It's far too sacred
Don't ever fake it
And don't, and don't, and don't let me down
Like you let me down before
Like you let me down before
Space monkey in the place to be
With some free-association and a hole in her head
Out on a limb in the carnival of me
Raising the temperature one hundred degrees
We're sown together
She's born to mesmer
Beside astride her
I die inside her
It's far too sacred
Don't ever fake it
And don't, and don't, and don't let me down
Like you let me down before
Like you let me down before
Like you let me down before
Like you let me down before
08 Blind (04:03)
If I could tear you from the ceiling
And guarantee a source divine
Rid you of possessions fleeting
Remain your funny valentine
Don't go and leave me
And please don't drive me blind
Don't go and leave me
And please don't drive me blind
If I could tear you from the ceiling
I know best have tried
I'd fill your every breath with meaning
And find a place we both could hide
Don't go and leave me
And please don't drive me blind
Don't go and leave me
And please don't drive me blind
You don't believe me
But you do this every time
Please don't drive me blind
Please don't drive me blind
I know you're broken
I know you're broken
I know you're broken
If I could tear you from the ceiling
I'd freeze us both in time
And find a brand new way of seeing
Your eyes forever glued to mine
Don't go and leave me
And please don't drive me blind
Don't go and leave me
And please don't drive me blind
Please don't drive me blind
Please don't drive me blind
Please don't drive me blind
Please don't drive me blind
09 Pierrot the Clown (04:24)
Leave me dreaming on the bed
See you right back here tomorrow for the next round
Keep this scene inside your head
As the bruises turn to yellow
The swelling goes down
And if you're ever around
In the city or the suburbs of this town
Be sure to come around
I'll be wallowing in sorrow
Wearing a frown
Like Pierrot the Clown
Saw you crashing round the bay
Never seen you act so shallow
Or look so brown
Remember all the things you'd say
How your promises rang hollow
As you threw me to the ground
And if you're ever around
In the backstreets or the alleys of this town
Be sure to come around
I'll be wallowing in pity
And wearing a frown
Like Pierrot the Clown
When I dream I dream of your lips
When I dream I dream of your kiss
When I dream I dream of your fists
Your fists... Your fists
Leave me bleeding on the bed
See you right back here tomorrow for the next round
Keep this scene inside your head
As the bruises turn to yellow
The swelling goes down
And if you're ever around
In the city or the suburbs of this town
Be sure to come around
I'll be wallowing in sorrow
And wearing a frown
Like Pierrot the Clown
Like Pierrot the Clown
Like Pierrot the Clown
Like Pierrot the Clown
Like Pierrot the Clown
11 One of a Kind (03:22)
On top of the world you get nothing done
Talk is cold and burns like the sun
Can't you see these skies are breaking
Cause the top of the word is where I'm from
The back of the class is where I was
Keeping quiet playing dumb
Can't you see these skies are breaking
Cause the back of the class is where I'm from
And I am one
I am
I am one
I am, I am, I am, I am, I am
I'm on a race and it's killing time
I don't need yours I'll keep it with mine
Can't you see these skies are breaking
Cause I'm on a race and I'm doing fine, thank you
Two of a kind no one home
I'm in a crowd and I'm still alone
Can't you see the skies are breaking
Cause one of a kind is all I own
I am one
I am
I am one
I am, I am, I am, I am, I am
Out of the womb and into the void
I wanna try but I get annoyed
Can't you see these skies are breaking
Cause I'm out of the womb and into the void
I am one
I am
I am one
I am, I am, I am, I am, I am
I am, I am, I am, I am, I am
On top of the world you get nothing done
13 Song to Say Goodbye (03:35)
You are one of God's mistakes
You crying, tragic waste of skin
I'm well aware of how it aches
And you still won't let me in
Now I'm breaking down your door
To try and save your swollen face
Though I don't like you anymore
You lying, trying waste of space
Before our innocence was lost
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens
And the voice that made me cry
My, oh my
You were mother nature's son
Someone to whom I could relate
Your needle and your damage done
Remains a sordid twist of fate
Now I'm trying to wake you up
To pull you from the liquid sky
'Cause if I don't we'll both end up
With just your song to say goodbye
My, oh my
A song to say goodbye
A song to say goodbye
A song to say
Before our innocence was lost
You were always one of those
Blessed with lucky sevens
And the voice that made me cry
It's a song to say goodbye (x8)
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Other reviews
By Matt7
In this little masterpiece, everything is perfect: the electronics present but not annoying, the lyrics, the guitars, and Brian’s desperate yet sweet voice.
This album represents the sum of the previous four albums: it has the rage of Placebo, the melancholy of Without You I’m Nothing, the flaws of Black Market Music, and the right experimentation of Sleeping with Ghosts.
By The Punisher
"Now yes, 4 years ago they intrigued me... now I only save the cover which is gorgeous!"
"Placebo, another 'nice' album to review... MONEY DOWN THE TOILET."
By Brizz89
The album is in the end the classic album that almost all bands that want to re-propose themselves without changing anything is: a search to continue without changing the profile that ends in boredom and repetition.
Meds is halfway between the band’s old glories and that half-failure that I consider to be their penultimate work.
By ste84
The rock of Placebo is not made to be played only with essential instruments.
'Meds' is a work to be appreciated over time but it will not sound new to you at all.
By Jack Darko
Meds is an album composed of tracks that hark back to previous ones and others that prove to be innovative and new for Placebo.
In 'In the Cold Light of Morning', Brian’s voice sneaks between the bones like a cold wind, giving chills of fear.
