Battle for the Sun explained

Battle for the Sun
Type:studio
Artist:Placebo
Cover:Battlecover.jpg
Released:8 June 2009
Recorded:August–September 2008
Studio:Metalworks Studios, Canada
Genre:Alternative rock
Length:52:15
Label:PIAS
Producer:David Bottrill
Prev Title:Extended Play '07
Prev Year:2007
Next Title:Live at Angkor Wat
Next Year:2011

Battle for the Sun is the sixth studio album by British alternative rock band Placebo. It was recorded in Canada in 2008 and released on 8 June 2009 by record label PIAS. It is their first album with new drummer Steve Forrest, following the departure of Steve Hewitt in 2007.

Battle for the Sun reached number 8 in the UK Albums Chart, and received a generally favourable reaction from critics. Four singles were released from the album: "For What It's Worth", "The Never-Ending Why", "Ashtray Heart" and "Bright Lights".

Production

David Bottrill produced the record, after having previously worked with Tool, Muse, Silverchair, Remy Zero, and dEUS. James Brown, who worked on the band's 2006 album Meds, engineered.[1] It is also the first album with the new drummer, Steve Forrest. Recording took place at Metalworks Studios, Mississauga, Ontario.

On Battle for the Sun, the band utilize new instruments, such as trumpets and saxophones.[2] Molko even experimented with the Springtime (experimental electric guitar made by Yuri Landman).[3]

Content

The material on the album has influences from such bands as PJ Harvey and My Bloody Valentine.[4]

Frontman Brian Molko said on the concept of the album:

We've made a record about choosing life, about choosing to live, about stepping out of the darkness and into the light. Not necessarily turning your back on the darkness because it's there, it's essential; it's a part of who you are, but more about the choice of standing in the sunlight instead.[5]

Molko has also stated that Battle for the Sun is the band's first album with a discernible thematic unity.[6] Molko states that his favourite track from the album is "Speak in Tongues".[7]

Molko was inspired to write bonus track "Unisex" by the movie Cloverfield.[8]

Release

The title track debuted on Zane Lowe's BBC Radio 1 show 17 March 2009. After the world première, it became available for free download on the band's official site. At an exclusive secret gig held on 17 March 2009, in London, the band played a number of new songs from the album, including the tracks "Ashtray Heart", "Julien", "Kitty Litter", and "Devil in the Details". They also covered Nik Kershaw's "Wouldn't It Be Good". The album was made available for streaming on the band's official website between 29 May and 31 May 2009.[9]

Battle for the Sun was released on 8 June 2009 as a download, CD, limited edition CD and DVD, LP, and a limited edition box set. It reached number 8 in the UK Albums Chart.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Metalworks Studios . Metalworks Studios . 25 April 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090522232047/http://www.metalworksstudios.com/text/news-placebo.html . 22 May 2009 . dead.
  2. Web site: New! Brian Molko BBC Radio Lamacq Interview 11/24/08 . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/R8OzS4DLcS4 . 2021-12-20 . live. YouTube . 24 November 2008 . 25 April 2009.
  3. Web site: Placerbo. 12 July 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090804162555/http://www.hypercustom.com/placebo.html . 4 August 2009 .
  4. Web site: Materville Studios - Host of Windy City Times . Windy City Times - Pop Making Sense . 6 August 2008 . Windycitymediagroup.com . 25 April 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090325220530/http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=19082. 25 March 2009 . live.
  5. Web site: Placebo announce new album details. NME. 16 March 2009. 2009-04-25. https://web.archive.org/web/20090320020054/http://www.nme.com/news/placebo/43474. 20 March 2009 . live.
  6. Web site: Placebo announce album tracklisting. NME. 26 March 2009 . 25 April 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090329100503/http://www.nme.com/news/placebo/43703. 29 March 2009 . live.
  7. Web site: Placebo Take on the Sun - News - Rock Sound . Rocksound.tv . 25 April 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090321122433/http://www.rocksound.tv/news/article/placebo-take-on-the-sun. 21 March 2009 . live.
  8. Web site: Brian Molko - Radio XFM - Part 3 - Takeover Show The Residency - 20.12.2009 + some Pictures . https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/1ckl-uci5L4 . 2021-12-20 . live. . 21 December 2009 . 5 September 2011.
  9. Web site: Battle for the Sun. 30 May 2009. https://archive.today/20090531064631/http://www.placeboworld.co.uk/battleforthesun/. 31 May 2009. dead.
  10. Billboard. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Inc. 4 July 2009. Google Books.
  11. Web site: Color . 24 August 2017 . 24 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170824175720/http://www.impalamusic.org/arc_static/docum/04-press/2009/PR%20-%2020091006.htm . dead .
  12. Web site: Placebo . Secure.xurbiaxendless.com . 25 April 2009 .
  13. Alternative Press July 2009
  14. Web site: Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart . OLiS . 14 June 2009 . 23 April 2012.
  15. Web site: Jahreshitparade Alben 2009. austriancharts.at. 8 July 2020.
  16. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2009. Ultratop. 8 July 2020.
  17. Web site: Rapports Annuels 2009. Ultratop. 8 July 2020.
  18. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Album 2009. dutchcharts.nl. 8 July 2020.
  19. Web site: Top de l'année Top Albums 2009. SNEP. fr. 8 July 2020.
  20. Web site: Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts. de. GfK Entertainment. offiziellecharts.de. 8 July 2020.
  21. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2009. hitparade.ch. 8 July 2020.
  22. http://universalrecph.blogspot.com/2009/07/placebos-new-album-battle-for-sun-out.html Placebo's new album Battle for the Sun out now!
  23. Web site: Placebo | Full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company |publisher=Official Charts Company] |access-date=4 July 2016}} Its debut in US marked 10,000 copies sold, and worldwide shipments were 500,000 copies worldwide.[10]

    In 2009. It was awarded a diamond certification from the Independent Music Companies Association which indicated sales of at least 250,000 copies throughout Europe.[11]

    The box set features the full album plus two extra studio tracks, a CD to access exclusive live recorded tracks, a DVD of the December 2008 Angkor Wat performance, a DVD of exclusive studio footage and a 32-page photo book featuring exclusive artwork, photos and handwritten lyrics as well as the full album on 2 x Heavy Vinyl LP.[12]

    Critical reception

    Battle for the Sun received a generally favourable reaction from critics. Eddie Fleisher of Alternative Press gave the album 4 and a half out of 5 stars, writing that Battle for the Sun "takes the best elements of their sound and focuses it into a cohesive listening experience ... there's no filler to be found". The review also notes how Steve Forrest as drummer gives the band a much-needed kick and how Brian Molko's lyrics are given more clarity. Fleisher also says the album contains two of the best Placebo songs ever, "Happy You're Gone" and "Kings of Medicine".[13]

    Others, however, have been less than receptive. NME said that Battle for the Sun was "a desperately transparent copy of originality. For those who still believe in them, Placebo will, at least, remain an efficacious live band at festivals this summer, but only given that the real thing (Suede, Muse, David Bowie, Nirvana et al) isn't currently on offer." Rolling Stone added that "too many songs ("Devil in the Details") are full of bombast and bland angst, as if these smart guys know better but can't help themselves".

    Track listing

    Deluxe Edition bonus DVD 1: Live at Angkor Wat
    • "Meds" – 5:23
    • "Because I Want You" – 4:23
    • "Follow the Cops Back Home" – 4:52
    • "Black-Eyed" – 3:14
    • "Post Blue" – 3:55
    • "Blind" – 4:15
    • "Drag" – 3:39
    • "Teenage Angst" – 3:19
    • "Twenty Years" – 4:55
    • Detour documentary
    Deluxe Edition bonus DVD 2
    • In the Studio: The Making of Battle for the Sun documentary

    Personnel

    Placebo
    • Brian Molko – vocals, guitar, Springtime guitar, keyboards, piano
    • Stefan Olsdal – bass guitar, guitar, keyboards, piano, organ, backing vocals
    • Steve Forrest – drums, percussion, backing vocals
    Additional personnel
    • Bill Lloyd – keyboards
    • Fiona Brice – string arrangements
    • Peter Cardinalli – brass arrangements
    • Alex Cooksey – keyboards, piano, backing vocals
    • Hazel Fernandes – backing vocals
    • Valerie Etienne – backing vocals
    Technical

    Charts

    Year-end charts

    Chart (2009)Position
    Austrian Albums (Ö3 Austria)[15] 61
    Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[16] 31
    Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[17] 29
    Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)[18] 95
    French Albums (SNEP)[19] 51
    German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[20] 45
    Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)[21] 47

    Release history

    CountryDate
    Japan3 June 2009
    Australia5 June 2009
    Hong Kong
    United States8 June 2009
    Canada
    United Kingdom
    Philippines7 November 2009[22]
    Worldwide (Redux Edition)27 September 2010

    External links

      • https://open.spotify.com/album/0sbdMEPj1M3UG2gfKclNbo?si=4UvETKIWSv2ghKJxwW0XFQ
    • http://www.deezer.com/album/9609398

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