Battle for the Sun

Battle for the Sun
Studio album by Placebo
Released 8 June 2009
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
  1. "For What It's Worth"
    Released: 1 June 2009
  2. "The Never-Ending Why"
    Released: 14 September 2009
  3. "Ashtray Heart"
    Released: 21 September 2009
  4. "Bright Lights"
    Released: 8 February 2010

Battle for the Sun is the sixth studio album by English 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.[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]

Content

The material on the album 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 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.[10]

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.[11] Its debut in US marked 10,000 copies sold, and worldwide shipments were 500,000 copies worldwide.[12]

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. [13]

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.[14]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic62/100[15]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Alternative Press[16]
Drowned in Sound[17]
IGN8.9/10[18]
Kerrang![19]
NME[20]
Pitchfork3.4/10[21]
Rock Sound[22]
Rolling Stone[15]
The Times[23]

Battle for the Sun received a generally favourite 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".[24]

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.".[20] 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".[15]

Track listing

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

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Kitty Litter" 3:47
2."Ashtray Heart"Molko, Steve Ludwin, Jordan Page3:32
3."Battle for the Sun"Molko, Olsdal5:33
4."For What It's Worth" 2:47
5."Devil in the Details" 4:28
6."Bright Lights" 3:23
7."Speak in Tongues" 4:06
8."The Never-Ending Why" 3:23
9."Julien" 4:43
10."Happy You're Gone" 3:50
11."Breathe Underwater" 3:44
12."Come Undone" 4:36
13."Kings of Medicine" 4:15
Total length:52:15
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

Chart (2009) Peak
position		 Certification
Australian Albums Chart (ARIA) 8
Austrian Albums Chart 1
Belgian Albums Chart (Flanders) 1[26] Gold
Belgian Albums Chart (Wallonia) 1[27] Gold[28]
Dutch Albums Chart 5[29]
European Albums Chart 1
Finnish Album Chart 2[30]
French Albums Chart 1[31]
German Albums Chart 1 Gold[32]
Irish Albums Chart (IRMA) 22
Italian Albums Chart 5[33] Gold
New Zealand Albums Chart 14
Polish Albums Chart 14[34]
Portuguese Albums Chart 4[35]
Spanish Albums Chart 5[36]
Swedish Albums Chart 9[37]
Swiss Albums Chart 1
Taiwan Albums Chart 1
UK Albums Chart 8[11] Silver[38]
US Billboard 200 51
US Billboard Independent Albums 8
Year-end charts
Chart (2009) Rank
German Albums Chart 45[39]
Swiss Albums Chart 47[40]
Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/Sales
France (SNEP)[41] N/A 126,200[42]*
Germany (BVMI)[43] Gold 100,000^
Italy (FIMI)[44] Gold 30,000*
United Kingdom (BPI)[45] Silver 60,000^
United States (RIAA)[46] N/A 10,000 debut[47]
Worldwide (IFPI) N/A 500,000+[47]

*sales figures based on certification alone
^shipments figures based on certification alone

Release history

Country Date
Japan 3 June 2009
Australia 5 June 2009
Hong Kong
United States 8 June 2009
Canada
United Kingdom
Philippines 7 November 2009[48]
Worldwide (Redux Edition) 27 September 2010

References

  1. 1 2 Stephen Thomas Erlewine. Battle for the Sun at AllMusic. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  2. ↑ "Metalworks Studios". Metalworks Studios. Archived from the original on 22 May 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  3. ↑ "New! Brian Molko BBC Radio Lamacq Interview 11/24/08". YouTube. 24 November 2008. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  4. ↑ "Placerbo". Archived from the original on 4 August 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2009.
  5. ↑ Materville Studios - Host of Windy City Times. "Windy City Times - Pop Making Sense". Windycitymediagroup.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  6. ↑ "Placebo announce new album details | News". Nme.Com. Archived from the original on 20 March 2009. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
  7. ↑ "Placebo announce album tracklisting | News". Nme.Com. 26 March 2009. Archived from the original on 29 March 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  8. ↑ "Placebo Take On The Sun - News - Rock Sound". Rocksound.tv. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  9. ↑ "Brian Molko - Radio XFM - Part 3 - Takeover Show The Residency - 20.12.2009 + some Pictures". 21 December 2009. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  10. ↑ "Battle For The Sun". Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 30 May 2009.
  11. 1 2 "Placebo | Full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  12. ↑ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (4 July 2009). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. – via Google Books.
  13. ↑ http://www.impalamusic.org/arc_static/docum/04-press/2009/PR%20-%2020091006.htm
  14. ↑ "Placebo". Secure.xurbiaxendless.com. Retrieved 25 April 2009.
  15. 1 2 3 "Critic Reviews for Battle For The Sun at Metacritic". Metacritic. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  16. ↑ "Critic Reviews for Battle For The Sun at Metacritic". Alternative Press: 130. July 2009. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  17. ↑ Clare Joslin (8 June 2009). "Placebo - Battle For The Sun". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  18. ↑ Finn White (10 June 2009). "Placebo- Battle For The Sun Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  19. ↑ Kerrang!: 52. Missing or empty |title= (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  20. 1 2 John Doran (3 June 2009). "Album review: Placebo - 'Battle For The Sun'". NME. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  21. ↑ Ian Cohen (10 June 2009). "Album Reviews: Placebo: Battle For The Sun". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  22. ↑ Faye Lewis (8 June 2009). "Placebo - 'Battle For The Sun'". Rock Sound. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  23. ↑ Pete Pahides (6 June 2009). "Placebo: Battle For the Sun". The Times. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  24. ↑ Alternative Press July 2009
  25. ↑ "Placebo". amazon.com. Retrieved 6 September 2009.
  26. ↑ "Placebo - Battle for the Sun (Album)". Ultratop. Archived from the original on 29 August 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  27. ↑ "Placebo - Battle for the Sun (Album)". Ultratop. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  28. ↑ "Les disques d'or/de platine - Singles - 2009". Ultratop. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  29. ↑ "Placebo - Battle for the Sun (Album)". Dutchcharts. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  30. ↑ "Placebo - Battle for the Sun (Album)". finnishcharts.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  31. ↑ "Placebo - Battle for the Sun (Album)". lescharts.com. Archived from the original on 25 October 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  32. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank ('Battle for the Sun')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  33. ↑ "Placebo - Battle for the Sun (Album)". italiancharts.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  34. ↑ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLiS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. 14 June 2009. Retrieved 23 April 2012.
  35. ↑ "Placebo - Battle for the Sun (Album)". portuguesecharts.com. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  36. ↑ "Placebo - Battle for the Sun (Album)". spanishcharts.com. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  37. ↑ "Placebo - Battle for the Sun (Album)". swedishcharts.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  38. ↑ "Certified Awards Search". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  39. ↑ "Album Jahrescharts 2009". Archived from the original on 2 January 2010. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
  40. ↑ "Swiss Year-End Charts 2009". Media Control. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 6 February 2009.
  41. ↑ "French album certifications – Placebo – Loud Like Love" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  42. ↑ "InfoDisc : Les Meilleurs Ventes d'Albums "Tout Temps" (33 T. / Cd / Téléchargement)". www.infodisc.fr.
  43. ↑ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Placebo; 'Loud Like Love')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  44. ↑ "Italian album certifications – Placebo – Loud Like Love" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  45. ↑ "British album certifications – Placebo – Loud Like Love". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 28 July 2014. Select albums in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Enter Loud Like Love in the search field and then press Enter.
  46. ↑ "American album certifications – Placebo – Battle for the Sun". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 
  47. 1 2 "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 4 July 2009 – via Google Books.
  48. ↑ Placebo's new album Battle for the Sun out now! Universal Records (Philippines) blogsite.
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