[...music...]

2011-03-21

a little while ago, i found out that placebo's former label will release a compilation of their b-sides. i was reminded that they've also released a compilation of cover songs, which i don't have. so i made an impulse decision to get it.

i found it at hmv.

they were selling it at 2/$30. so i needed to find another item to pair it with. i browsed around and saw gallows' releases. i first heard about the band back when their debut "orchestra of wolves" was released, with positive reviews. although i don't remember what that album sounded like, i do remember liking it. but at the store, it was their sophomore release "grey britain" that was part of the 2/$30 deal. i listened to a few songs, and liked it enough to get it.

i've been listening to this non-stop for the past week or so. in a way, it's the kind of standard punk rock stuff that i like. but what i love about this album are the orchestral parts on the mid-album track "death voices" and on the closing "crucifucks".

gallows - death voices

gallows - crucifucks

those parts are so hauntingly delicate, they contrast with the general aggressiveness of the album.

~~~

Labels: cd purchase, gallows, placebo

2009-06-13

battle for the sun

i've been employed since may 1st. but due to various circumstances, this week was my first week of métro-boulot-dodo. i am still trying to adjust.

on tuesday, it was the release of placebo's sixth studio album "battle for the sun", with a new record label (vagrant for the north american release). i've been a steady fan of this band since grade 9 (ah, about ten years ago). i've followed them with every album release. i don't think they're super impressive (standard rock with a catchy melody and distinct vocal style), but they've never disappointed either.

after work on tuesday, i went to hmv at fairview to get the cd. (yes, i am back to living in the west island now.)

overall, there are no surprises with this album, very consistent with their previous material, even though they've a new drummer now. i've been listening to this all week, on the drive to work and back, and found myself singing along like an idiot. yeah, the songs are really catchy.

my favourite is the title track.

~~~

Labels: cd purchase, placebo

2007-04-08

placebo @ metropolis

when i found out that placebo were finally playing in montreal in support of "meds", i had momentarily stopped breathing. tonight, i got the chance to see them live again. this time, i went with yeni; it was her first concert ever.

the openers were evaline, some wannabe hardcore band. they had just been on the taste of choas tour, but none of the band members seemed particularly hardcore. need i say more?

despite trying to be charismatic, the singer was the creepiest-looking member of the band, in that scruffy, hasn't-showered kind of way:

the blond guitarist was the cutest. or i think he was; it was hard to tell, with his hair hiding his face:

group pic:

although i wasn't charmed by the singer, i was quite impressed at his playing the cello:

when placebo came on stage, i went crazy. the sixteen-year-old fangirl in me came out. i was dancing, and singing, and screaming, and cheering the whole time. i had so much fun! i was surprised at how much of the lyrics i knew, as i sang along with most of the songs.

it's too bad that brian molko was not really chatty tonight. he only spoke to the audience once, something along the lines of "bonsoir mesdames et messieurs. nous sommes placebo. nous venons d'une île où nous sommes les seuls à parler le fançais." i would have loved to hear more of that french accent. and they did not perform any french version of their songs either.

i did not write down or memorize the setlist. i do remember some of it. they started strong, with "infra-red", "meds", and "drag". a power trio; that really got the crowd hyped up. then, they slowed things down with "sleeping with ghosts". after that, i don't know the order of the rest, but i know they played a mix of new and old songs.

from "meds", they played:
- space monkey
- follow the cops back home
- because i want you to
- one of a kind
- song to say goodbye

from "sleeping with ghosts":
- the bitter end
- special needs

from "black market music":
- special k (my favourite from that album.)

from "without you i'm nothing":
- without you i'm nothing
- every you every me (my favourite placebo song ever. but they played like a more rock version of it, which was slightly disappointing, as it lacked all the subtleties i love so much about this song.)

from "placebo":
- bionic

during the encore:
- running up that hill (a kate bush cover, that i found out about today, and the fact that it is somewhat of a hit, being featured in a certain teen tv drama.)
- taste in men
- twenty years (featuring the singer from evaline on cello.)

i must confess that i had such a fangirl crush on brian molko, back in high school, while he was still in his androgynous phase (mmm...). and apparently, years later, i still have a fangirl crush on him, judging by the insane amount of pictures i took at this show. plus, the show was very well-lit; i didn't even have to use the awful flash at all. here are a few photos.

some less-blurry band pics:

a funny pose of brian:

more brian molko pics, because he is so sexy. total eye candy, yum... all the girls and even the boys love him. as another fan remarked: "everyone in this room wants to do him." agreed.

a pic of stefan, because he looks pretty sharp:

nice derrière:

pics from the encore:

placebo approaching the audience:

at the end, goodbyes:

finally, a sight of steve:

as i expected, this was a damn good show...!

~~~

cd purchase: none. they were only selling shirts at the merch table. besides, i have all their albums.

hearing damage: ears ringing, from the loud music, and the loud fans screaming.

~~~

Labels: evaline, metropolis, placebo, shows

2006-03-21

placebo

today was the (north american) release date of placebo's fifth studio album. i had already heard a leak on the internet, and i liked it enough to go buy it after school today.

it seems like every time i lose interest in placebo and forget about them, they release a new album, reminding me of how much i love them.

the new album "meds" has no surprises. it's typical placebo: high-pitched nasal vocals, straighforward guitar rock alternating with soft ballads, lyrical references to sex and drugs... i love it on first listen, and this will probably play on my walkman all week.

i hope they tour and come to montreal.

some other purchases made today:

mogwai - rock action
i've been wanting this album for a while, just for the song "2 rights make 1 wrong". i saw it today at the store. i got the japanese import, which includes two bonus tracks. and it was on special too. here i am, slowing trying to buy the complete mogwai discography, minus the singles.

we are scientists - with love and squalor
i got this because i liked the two songs i heard. the rest of the album is alright. this is typical indie/hipster rock from new york. it's a fun album, but a bit forgettable, compared to similar bands out there.

~~~

Labels: cd purchase, mogwai, placebo, we are scientists