Placebo. Darlings of any young, glammy ham of a goth kid's music collection have released their Fifth album, entitled; “Meds”. The name is apt because it leaves you wondering what kind(s) of medication their physicians were letting them pop while making the album.

 

The first song happens to be the title track, and comes on strong, almost reminiscent of “Taste In Men.” It's got that catchy rhythm and addictive vocals. Then; “infra-red”. It pours out of the speakers with a mechanical tempo, this one also reminds me of another song by Placebo, “Special K”, “36 degrees” even. It has that epic tone to it. This song also has a catchy rhythm, and addictive chorus. Then bam! The third track, “Drag” lighter and more airy than the first two songs, very much in vain of “I Do” off of the singles album. Catchy and rhythmic like the first two tracks off of “Meds”.

 

It sounded Good right? Well, here's where the slope they slide down begins. Track 4; “Space Monkey” is kind of messy. Then comes track 5, can we say this close to derailing the entire album, hell the first time I heard the song, it did. It's just... bluh. Something you don't expect to see out of you when you're 30 and only heard 70 year old white people degrade like that. Track 5 is simply a will knot. Don't Follow the cops back home. Do you know how bad this song is when you're stoned? Its something you don't want to be hearing. Okay?

 

Track 6... Lucky number 6, 7 and 9. They threaten to give the album a second wind, but with songs like  Track 10. It being named “broken promises” is like a slap in the face, as is Michael Stipes collaboration with the band. Mediocre at best.

 

All in all, It's just another album sleeve on the wall. I wouldn't steer a Placebo Fan away, but I wouldn't make this a first listen for someone wanting to get into Placebo. Best of luck to the band on their next effort. 

 

It deserves 2.5 Gold Records out of 5. No Ego Gleam here.

Current Music: Danzig - Mother

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It was an even tempered Summers Eve, or in the case of the Elvis, open the windows and turn

the ceiling fan on, because a good number of bodies in that old house form a convection oven.

Its warm. Its Welcome. Its home. Cover started at 9:30ish, a minimal cover of Six Dollars at

that, for the talent that was to be playing. The bill read; Joel Phair, Trish Robb, and

Wayne Petti(Of Cuff the Duke fame ) and 'intimately acoustic'!

Mr. Joel Phair was first to take the stage that sits on the front window, so that the artist

performing is actually mooning the traffic and pedestrians going by should they chose to

look close enough. He plugged into the system, and despite brief, and minor technical

difficulties played through his set with a flowing rhythm that kept the crowd interested. The

songs played included 'Present Time', 'Do you believe', 'Who I really am', 'Days go on',

'Make Do', 'Edge of a star', and a cover that would make you think it was his own of 'Jesus

etc' by Wilco. Now, Joel doesn't have a CD out yet, but I think you should visit his

myspace, and pester him to get one recorded if you've seen him play, or like the song he has

on the page.

After a brief intermission and fresh air, Trish Robb was up to perform her set. She

rightfully showed off her hand crafted, one of a kind guitar, and thanked the builder who

was also in attendance. Yay. After the first two songs(Quitten, and Lord don't sleep) she

had her grip on the downstairs of the bar and anyone else was missing out. Her prowess at

song writing and singing is a fusion of all the great folk, and country artists, but

entirely her own being. She played 7 songs, a couple covers, and closed it with her well

crafted 'Boston' which can hear on her myspace. She has a demo out as well that she's

selling so you can pester her for it if you like the four songs on the myspace there.

Wayne Petti was last but not least playing the longest set of the three performers. Despite

the rudeness of several overweight, under brained Highschool-College guys who couldn't see

the logic in enjoying what they payed money to get into and possibly see. I suppose Live

show manners is another article all together. Anyways, the set was pleasant with originals,

songs from Cuff the Duke, and covers alike performed. The Encore was a sing-a-long, Joel,

Trish, and Wayne on the mic, and the rest of the bar as backup, Gordon Lightfoot would have

been proud.

All in all a good show, all local talent. It also goes to show, someone in a well

established band can come back to where they started and do a solo gig with other talent

from the area and put on a good show without the ego.

It rates as a; You shoulda been there.

Current Music: Iggy & The Stooges - Shake Appeal

Just to get it out of the way.