Placebo - Once More With Feeling

Once More With Feeling is a compilation of Placebo's singles dating from 1996 to 2004. So basically, if you're not a Placebo fan (and probably in the US), it's a compilation of songs that you maybe heard once or twice on some random radio station. Or if you are a Placebo fan (and probably in the UK), then it is a compilation of all the songs that got the band where they are in terms of popularity. If you're not familiar with Placebo, it's all about the voice of Brian Molko (and subsequently his gender bending appearance); part overtly nasal and part vibrato twinged, it can either instantly turn you away or draw you in. Musically, if you were a fan of anything considered "Alternative Rock" in the mid to late 90's, there is no reason for you not to enjoy the majority of this disc. The band's guitar riffs, complimentary (not redundant) basslines, and often-times big drum sounds are hard to resist. Everything from "Nancy Boy" to "Pure Morning" to "Every You, Every Me" to "The Bitter End," all evoke a rock aesthetic that is lacking in just about any English band. Placebo manages to be artistic, somewhat dramatic, musically leaning towards a darker place, all while maintaining a melodic sensibility and larger appeal than your typical art rock band that takes things a bit too far. A singles compilation probably isn't all that great of a purchase for someone that already has all of the bands albums (especially if you have even the slightest rudimentary knowledge of CD burners) but for someone who has been intrigued by the band's sound but didn't know where to start, this is for you. Worked for me. [www.placeboworld.co.uk]