Placebo have been in the music industry for ten years now. In this day and age any band is lucky to survive beyond one album let alone two. But now after ten years Placebo are back in the industry with studio album number five. So what makes Placebo different? In 1996 Placebo came onto the music scene with songs such as �36 degrees� and �teenage angst� Placebo caught the attention of media worldwide. They had great songs with happy melodic tunes and dark lyrics. One thing that the media gripped onto was Placebo�s image. Men in make-up. Some people liked it, some people hated it but love it or hate it they made it work.
Over the past ten years Placebo have changed both with the image and musically. Their second album �without you I�m nothing� got the band more attention and they became more well known. The follow up album �Black Market Music� was when Placebo really got noticed worldwide. Then three years later they returned with �Sleeping with ghosts� Placebo�s most successful album to date with sell out shows worldwide, this was Placebo really making a mark.
S o a further three years on and Placebo are back again with their brand new album �Meds� which is already highly anticipated will it be as successful as �sleeping with ghosts�? With 5 albums it�s time to find out what really makes Placebo different? Why do we like them? Who better to ask then Placebo�s die hard fans.
A few weeks ago I posted this topic on our forums. We had some very good replies so let�s see what Placebo fans think of Placebo?
Our first quote is from Kipje, a Placebo fan from the Netherlands:
�I like placebo because of their energy during live-shows. With most bands the albums are great but the live-shows *beep*. But with placebo its just the other way (not that I don't like the albums) I think their shows are always better than their albums. And I like placebo because of their different sound. Everytime when I have to explain to friends about placebo, I just can't compare to another band.� Kipje
Placebo are known to do fantastic live shows. In 2001 they won a Kerrang award for �Best Live act� Their shows are filled with energy and unlike many bands Placebo can sing live. They don�t need to mime they can just do it. I�ve never been disappointed with any of their shows.
My second quote is from one of our French members Manon.
�I've never known/ I can't tell why I like a band and not an other! it's more a question of feeling, I think... it's like it was an evidence for me... something that suits me well, like a blue jean! I don't know if you know what I mean... and this is the only explanation I can give you, sorry!� Manon
Placebo are a band that you just love being a fan of. A lot of Placebo fans including myself feel that they can just connect with the meanings in Placebo�s music. I first got into Placebo almost 5 years ago when I saw a picture in a magazine, a while later I saw �Pure Morning� performed live on MTV2 and I was hooked. Placebo have very powerful songs �Nancy boy� �pure morning� �special k� and many more. These songs are so powerful both lyrically and musically that with just hearing one song you can really get into Placebo.
My last quote is from a UK Placebo fan Roxy-Nat:
�I love placebo because in their music there is something that is unexplainable. every time I get into other bands and put placebo down for a while when I get back to them I find out that my feelings come back as if I was listening to their songs for the first time. besides, Placebo has been with me during the best days of my life and during the worst days and they are still present in my life as I'm building it up again. and it's true, u can't compare placebo to any other bands- it's just impossible. Placebo is just magical. although many of their songs r depressing placebo always cheers me up and gives me the sense of living. I can't imagine my life without this music� Roxy-Nat
Placebo have a very big and very loyal fan base. Especially in Europe. Placebo are being discovered more in the UK recently, with them selling out Wembley Arena in London in 2004.
Placebo are very popular in South America, with their sell-out tour last April. Placebo fans in Mexico like the rest of the world, during one tour one fan chased the car Placebo were travelling in. This goes to show the true dedication of Placebo�s fans.
So whether you like Placebo because of their image or for their ever improving music. One thing�s certain and that�s that Placebo are here to stay. I have a good feeling that �Meds� will be their most successful album to date and will probably attract a lot more fans.