Battle for the Sun

Battle for the Sun
Studio album by Placebo
Released	8 June 2009 (see release history)
Recorded	August–September 2008
Studio	Metalworks Studios, Canada
Genre	Alternative rock[1]
Length	52:15
Label	PIAS
Producer	David Bottrill
Placebo chronology
Meds (2006) Battle for the Sun (2009) B-Sides: 1996–2006 (2011)
Singles from Battle for the Sun
"For What It's Worth" Released: 1 June 2009 "The Never-Ending Why" Released: 14 September 2009 "Ashtray Heart" Released: 21 September 2009 "Bright Lights" Released: 8 February 2010
Cover of the 2010 Redux Edition

Battle for the Sun is the sixth studio album by English alternative rock band Placebo. It was recorded in 2008 and released in 2009 by record label PIAS.

Production and recording

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.^[2] 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.^[3] Molko even experimented with the Springtime (experimental electric guitar made by Yuri Landman).^[4] The material has influences from such bands as PJ Harvey and My Bloody Valentine.^[5] 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.^[6]

Molko has also stated that Battle for the Sun is the band's first album with a discernible thematic unity.^[7] Molko states that his favourite track from the album is "Speak in Tongues".^[8]

Molko was inspired to write bonus track "Unisex" by the movie Cloverfield.^[9]

The mastered album features a slight peculiarity on track 9 ("Julien"): the vocals are doubled for a short duration, with a phrase, sung in low volume, preceding itself. Such artifacts can stem from a variety of sources such as production errors, or from encoding within the .mp3 or .mp4 formats, both of which suffer from just such a flaw.

Release

The album was released as a download, CD, limited edition CD and DVD, LP, and a limited edition box set.

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.^[10]

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.^[11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Alternative Press	[12]
Drowned in Sound	[13]
IGN	(8.9/10)[14]
Kerrang!	[15]
NME	[16]
Pitchfork Media	(3.4/10)[17]
Rock Sound	[18]
Rolling Stone	[19]
The Times	[20]

Eddie Fleisher of Alternative Press gave the album 4 and a half out of 5 stars. He wrote 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".^[21] Metacritic gave the album a score of 62/100 based on 17 professional reviews indicating "generally favorable reviews".^[19] 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.".^[16] 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".^[19]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Placebo (Brian Molko, Stefan Olsdal and Steve Forrest), except as noted. 

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

• David Bottrill – production
• James Brown – engineering
• Wayne Cochrane – engineering assistance (tracking)
• Kevin Dietz – engineering (recording)
• Alan Moulder – mixing
• Darren Lawson – mixing assistance
• John Davis – mastering
• Joseph Llanes – sleeve photography
• Tim Young – Redux Edition remastering

Charts

Year-end charts

Release history

References

External links

• Battle for the Sun at Discogs (list of releases)