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In the decade since the release of Placebo’s first album, the UK trio has seen international success—and they’ve influenced several of the bands that you probably hear on the radio every day—but, for some reason, they’re only just now beginning to build a following in the States. So unless you happen to live in a city that has an amazing alternative radio station (as, fortunately, I do), there’s a pretty good chance that you’re still unfamiliar with their music—which is exactly why they’ve released their new US-only EP.
Extended Play ‘07 is a kind of Placebo Cliff Notes for those in the States who are just getting to know the band (who, incidentally, are currently touring the country with Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, and others on the 2007 Projekt Revolution Tour). The eight-track EP begins with one song from each of the band’s five albums, simply arranged in chronological order. It opens with “Nancy Boy,” off the band’s first album. The driving guitars, along with singer Brian Molko’s androgynous yet gritty vocals, seem to give off a kind of Smashing Pumpkins vibe. But as the CD progresses, it’s easy to track the band’s growth. “Every You Every Me” gets a bit darker. And “Taste in Men” gets a bit more brooding. By the time you get to track five, the haunting “Meds,” which is also the title track from last year’s release (see N&W.com’s review), you’ll have a pretty clear picture of Placebo’s style. It’s as dark and ominous as Depeche Mode and as adventurous as The Cure. It’s heavy and pulsating and gritty. And it’s no wonder why the rest of the world is so enamored. Because after the first listen, you want more.
The CD closes with three live tracks: “Pure Morning” (which the band apparently rarely plays live), “Infra-Red” (which is my personal favorite Placebo song), and “Running Up That Hill.”
For new and/or prospective Placebo fans, Extended Play ‘07 is a great place to start. It’s a quick introduction to a band whose appearance in the States is long overdue. And once you’ve made your way through the EP, you’re sure to be hooked.
Kristin Dreyer Kramer has been writing in some form or another (usually when she was supposed to be doing something else) since the ripe old age of ten—when she, her cousin, and their two Cabbage Patch Dolls formed the Poo Authors’ Club. After a short career in advertising, Kristin got sick of always saying nice things about stuff that didn’t deserve it—so now she spends her days criticizing things, and she’s much happier for it.
Since creating NightsAndWeekends.com in February of 2002, Kristin has spent her life surrounded by piles and piles of books and movies—so many that her office has become a kind of entertainment obstacle course.
As if her writing and editing responsibilities for N&W.com weren’t enough to keep her out of trouble, Kristin also hosts a number of weekly radio shows: Reel Discovery, Shelf Discovery, and On the Marquee. She’s also a proud member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (CriticsChoice.com), the Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA.org), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS.org), and the Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC.Wordpress.com).
Kristin lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Anna. She welcomes questions, comments, and fan mail at kdk@nightsandweekends.com.
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Kristin Dreyer Kramer has been writing in some form or another (usually when she was supposed to be doing something else) since the ripe old age of ten—when she, her cousin, and their two Cabbage Patch Dolls formed the Poo Authors’ Club. After a short career in advertising, Kristin got sick of always saying nice things about stuff that didn’t deserve it—so now she spends her days criticizing things, and she’s much happier for it.
Since creating NightsAndWeekends.com in February of 2002, Kristin has spent her life surrounded by piles and piles of books and movies—so many that her office has become a kind of entertainment obstacle course.
As if her writing and editing responsibilities for N&W.com weren’t enough to keep her out of trouble, Kristin also hosts a number of weekly radio shows: Reel Discovery, Shelf Discovery, and On the Marquee. She’s also a proud member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (CriticsChoice.com), the Central Ohio Film Critics Association (COFCA.org), the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS.org), and the Women Film Critics Circle (WFCC.Wordpress.com).
Kristin lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Anna. She welcomes questions, comments, and fan mail at kdk@nightsandweekends.com.
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