Slave to the Wage

by

Placebo

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I wasn't too thrilled when Placebo traded their raw, punky energy for the predictable indie/metal dirge designed to appeal to The Average Goth. Without You I'm Nothing had it's high points, but t'was nothing compared to their fresh, non-pretentious debut. With this single however, Placebo appear to have lost the plot entirely. Taste in Men was decidedly average, and this continues the theme with its watered down minimalist approach.

These tracks sound shallow, lacking the density and power that make rock music great. Placebo sound as if they're disowning their roots to establish themselves as a unique band; but instead of creating something new and innovative, they trade their talent for a lack of melody, sloppy songwriting, and lyrics that make you cringe.

While Black Market Music exceeded (low) expectations, Slave to the Wage remains one of the weakest tracks on the album, and even earlier, pointless B-side remixes were better quality than the two dire songs featured here.