Five studio albums in 10 years isn’t so bad an average in terms of presence, especially when one considers that along the way, Placebo have dropped a couple of megaton albums in the form of 1996’s self-titled debut and Black Market Music four years ago. The offerings in between have been a mixed lot in comparison, a (not always well-balanced) mixture of outstanding tunes and over-tentative excursions beyond the trodden path. Molko’s less than pleasant attitude didn’t help much either but, that aside, no one can deny that when he’s good, the boy’s brilliant!
Meds unfortunately belongs to the mixed bag category, largely because it tends to saunter where it should soar, with most of its tracks bearing signs of a recycling overhaul during the writing stage. Singles Because I Want You, Infra-red and Song To Say Goodbye are decent enough but not outstanding. What is outstanding on the other hand is the opening title track, featuring Alison from The Kills, as well as the more contemplative Follow The Cops Back Home and In The Cold Light Of The Morning, Broken Promise (featuring REM’s Michael Stipe) and the star track Space Monkey, which brings out the best that Molko has to offer in terms of melody, voice and arrangement! Limited edition format with bonus DVD is recommended!
Various Artists - ‘Festahwid Compilation 2’
After six editions of the notorious festival of the same name, Reciprocal Records recently released a second volume of the infamous Festahwid Compilation. Featuring 18 cuts culled from various editions of the shambolic but entertaining gathering, the new release is as verbally “colourful” and explicitly freewheeling as can be expected of an “in-yer-face” punk festival.
Brandishing the DIY ethic to the hilt, the featured bands don’t actually waste much time in being picky about sound. Instead, they prefer to shift their unbridled energy towards the prime(val) aim of giving everyone present who is up for it a weekend of fun, fun and more fun!
One of the more prominent features here, as with the first volume, is the significant presence of songs sung in our native tongue. It is a trend that has grown from strength to strength in recent years, even going as far as prompting the emergence of spoken word artists such as the remarkable (and undeniably unique!) Vixaw and the inspiring yet comic Delli Wah Du.
The track-listing includes cuts from established names such as BNI, Dripht and The I-Skandal, with grating contributions from the likes of Pupi Tal-Loghob, The Vegetables, Riotous Future, Oddonesout and Malta’s newest rising stars, the mighty Xtruppaw!
Apart from the collective singalong interludes on offer here, Woody’s coarsely spontaneous performance of the event’s unofficial anthem captures the mood perfectly! Recommended for those who still hold the spirit of punk dear to their heart!