Placebo

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Placebo

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Placebo's self titled debut album is one not to miss. Although this album does not feature their current, very awesome drummer Steve, it's still a great album that started the amazing European based band. It's a great alternative/punk album with a heavy baseline thanks to Stefan and lyrics that cut through your soul like a razorblade. Brian Molko (singer/guitarist) is able to write clever beautiful lyrics that can hit home to anyone, but are a bit melodramatic. The band's lyrics are one of the many reasons this album rules. The other is Molko's androgynous beautiful voice. Although it sometimes sound like he is sucking in helium, it's still good.

Sex, drugs, nail polish..and a little lipstick...swallow that Placebo.

1. "Come Home" 8/10 Loud crazy rock song. Makes you want to jump around.

2. "Teenage Angst" 9/10 Very good song. The lyrics are very clever and their all in the title.

3. "Bionic" 7/10 Not my favorite, but none the less good. (It gets old after a couple of listens.) This song has a raw sexual energy.

4. "36 Degrees" 10/10 Great Song. Kind of poppy, but very good and catchy. "Shoulders toes and knees I'm 36 degrees"

5. "Hang On To You IQ" 8/10 Slower song, but good. This song is a bit whiney, but in a "hold on to me" kind of way

6. "Nancy Boy" 9/10 SEX! With lyrics like "Does his makeup in his room / Douse himself in cheap perfume / Eyeholes in a paper bag/ Greatest lay I ever had" how can you go wrong? A lot of people love this song, but I've read it's not Brain Molko's favorite.

7. "I Know" 10/10 His voice...ohh his voice. Candy to my ears.

8. "Bruise Pristine" 9/10 Rock roar.

9. "Lady Of The Flowers" 8/10 Notice how the character changes gender throughout the song. Yes, it's about a transvestite.

10. "Swallow" 6/10 Worst song on the album, but it's worth a listen. It's complete talking throughout the whole song. Nothing really special.

HIDDEN TRACK: "Farewell HK" It's entirely instrumental, but it's so pretty.

This is obviously a debut album, but it's good if you are into alternative/punk rock, have an angsty side, is girl with goth tendencies or a boy who loves eyeliner and is just too pretty to understand.

Although not as good as "Without You I`m Nothing" or "Black Market Music", Placebo`s debut is a fine, consistent rock album nonetheless, one that already showcases the band`s poignancy. Their meld of glam, punk, pop, rock and some experimentation in between makes for a solid record that still sounds fresh and appealling even if the trio has done better work after its release. Brian Molko`s voice is a central element here and one of the band`s strenghts, though it disturbs some people who consider it too whiny and androginous. "Placebo" focuses teenage innocence (or the loss of it) and the process of growing up, dealing with new matches, fears and obstacles. The lyrics are interesting, deep and appropriately ambivalent, presenting lost dreams and dark futures. Even the more noisy songs here show a fragile, hurt side, expressing teenage rebellion and loss. The overall tone and sound of the album can be compared to some Smashing Pumpkins` or Suede`s material, or even Nirvana, since these are bands that deal with related themes and ideas. "Placebo" is a strong record, a good debut from one of the best rock bands around.