"Placebo are a band you either love or hate. They are a glam band from different parts of Europe who brought acoustic ballads and hard rock music together. Brian Molko is a person who can divide audiences with his mid-atlantic drawl and even his appearance. Their previous record, Black Market Music, was mishmash that included rap, dance, and new wave music. This time they started out creating a more electronic record, but with songs like "The Bitter End" they achieve one of their finest moments in rock. Even though they worked with a producer known for his work with Massive Attack, the first track "Bulletproof Cupid" reminds everyone of the fact that Placebo always wanted to be more like Queens of The Stone Age. This song puts everyone at ease: Placebo haven't become a techno band exactly. The whole album has an atmospheric feel, with each song seemingly like a personal message to some absent loved one. Still some songs like "English Summer Rain" and "This Picture" are some of the best work Placebo have ever done. Maybe this is as good place to start loving this decadent trio. Other songs rehash their fascination with new wave music. Other ballads like "I'll Be Yours" and "Sleeping With Ghosts" seem less self-indulgent than some past efforts. Placebo have fused all their influences and talents in one recognizable sound on this record. They should be doing fine. (www.freewilliamsburg.com)"
Superb "start to finish" album
mr_black_the_1st | Sydney, Australia | 04/17/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Got some brilliant singles, mainly "English Summer Rain" and "Bitter End". However, it's one you'll probably keep playing right through instead of picking out individual tracks. Highly original sounding, and make sure you only get the one with the bonus disc or you'll be missing out. A brilliant cover version of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" is on the bonus cd, and it is simply haunting and will give you chills.You'll drag this album out when you're in a mellow mood or sometimes when you feel like screaming, as some of the songs are sad or angry, but not depressing."
Five Stars is only the beginning
peta | Seoul, South Korea | 07/11/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've been an avid Placebo fan now since back in 1998, and while all of their CD's have been incredible I can honestly say that this is their best CD by far. Plus, you really can't go wrong with this cd. It comes with an incredible bonus CD that includes covers of classic songs like `The Ballad of Melody Nelson', incredibly upbeat and provocative songs like `20th Century Boy', `Johnny And Mary', and the classic `Where is my mind' from The Pixies. The cover CD could be sold on its own really. It's truly something that no fan should go without. The CD itself `Sleeping with Ghosts' is an incredibly powerful mix of thoughtful lyrics teamed with some of sleekest riffs and beats that Placebo has ever created. From the very second you hear the earth shattering `Bullet Proof Cupid' instrumental right up to the moment you hear the thought provoking `Centerfolds' you are in for a real treat. Offering up a new techno mix on their already perfected formula, you cannot go wrong with this one."
Achingly sad, angry pretty boy rock rock ROCK!
Evan Vella | Toronto, Canada | 04/18/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The best track is the crunchy cover of Robert Palmer's "Johnny and Mary." Palmer's version is excellent as well, but it is much slower. The Placebo cover is decent enough to be an A-side; I always wondered why it was first buried on the "Taste in Men #2" Import Single, and mainly accessible only through P2P. Worth listening to and then erecting a philosophy from the music that is just shy of lovesuicide...Sad, arty introverts that consistently love the Smiths, now have another band to love."