PLACEBO - Sleeping With Ghosts

From the eruption of the opening instrumental, you know who's playing. The thing about
Placebo (besides the powerfully fragile trademark tonsils of frontperson Brian Molko) is their compelling utilisation of the basic three piece unit of bass, drums & guitar. The straight forward but infectious songs they still manage to produce, still come out as moving, fresh and highly listeneable alternative pop-rock effervescence with bite. The electronic additions don't take away from the rudimental impact. Their dark sense still lingers regardless of their growing up another album. That sense of androgyny/bisexuality, life- and love-lust entwined in modern times still lurks beneath the skin, frothing to burst through. Where Placebo could so easily have faded after their first two impressive turns, they seem here to stay.
This great album comes in a special edition containing an extra disc with cover versions done
Placebo's way. It includes a passionate version of Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill and a less impressive rendition of The Pixies' unparalleled Where Is My Mind. The great cover they did of Marc Bolan's 20th Century Boy for the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack is included. Depeche Mode gets a nod, as does Sinead O'Connor and Serge Gainsbourg. But, the killer, thriller and most sumptuous of the 10 track batch is the brilliant reinterpretation of Boney M's Daddy Cool.

5 / B
- PB


...CLOSE THIS WINDOW WHEN YOU'RE DONE
TO HAVE A LOOK AT SOME MORE CD RELEASES...

6 - Volcanic
5 - Blistering
4 - Hot
3 - Smolder
2 - Room Temp.
1 - Fizzled
0 - Extinguished

A - Multiple Listening Prospects
B - Deserves Another Spin
C - Once Should Suffice