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8.0
526
8.0 |
Daily Telegraph
Probably their brightest to date, stripped of hi-tech clutter, and, as its title implies, the excessive darkness of latter-day outings
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8.0
524
8.0 |
The Irish Times
Feels more like an evenly weighted singles collection than the tired, filler-laden effort we were entitled to expect
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7.0
519
7.0 |
Independent on Sunday
After dabbling with electronics, the trio have reverted to what they do best: juddering, abrasive yet anthemic alt-rock with lyrics about sex, drugs and low self-esteem
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6.0
520
6.0 |
The Observer
Their propensity for the clunking riff and the overwrought lyric, both suggesting a band still submerged in a state of overgrown adolescence
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6.0
516
6.0 |
The Times
On this evidence, Placebo remain very much the go-to power trio for all your industrial goth-rock needs
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6.0
517
6.0 |
musicOMH
Previous Placebo albums have taken a while to sink in after initial listens, with the career highlight Black Market Music a good case in point. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that this will be the case with Battle For The Sun. The album may revive the band's career in North America, but for many of their loyal fans it will come as a major disappointment
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6.0
518
6.0 |
Scotland on Sunday
Last time out Brian Molko and company were in a dark place, and Battle For The Sun sees the band emerge with a brighter purpose
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6.0
523
6.0 |
NME
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
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6.0
527
6.0 |
Observer Music Monthly
A heavier take on their gothic moan-rock
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6.0
528
6.0 |
PopMatters
There is nothing on “Battle of the Sun” that would make people wonder whether or not they were really listening to a Placebo song. In a way, that’s refreshing for fans who feared the pressure forced upon the band would turn it into something totally different. But Battle clearly illustrates efforts at sounding new, and undecided listeners may wonder why those efforts bore sweet moments with little resonance, a sugar pill for Placebo’s new era
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5.0
529
5.0 |
Rolling Stone
Too many songs are full of bombast and bland angst, as if these smart guys know better but can't help themselves
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5.0
515
5.0 |
Spin
Lacking lyrics as memorable as 2006's Meds, Battle for the Sun is heavier but duller
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4.0
521
4.0 |
Drowned In Sound
Battle For The Sun works, technically speaking. The songs build in all the right places and the unexciting lyrics loop and loop until lodged in your head. They just won’t change your life
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4.0
530
4.0 |
Uncut
Print edition only
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4.0
525
4.0 |
The List
Yet another nail is plunged into Placebo’s coffin as this sixth studio album finds Brian Molko taking his lyrics to a whole new levels of cringe
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3.4
522
3.4 |
Pitchfork
Whatever tweaks got thrown in are all at the mercy of Bottrill's iron fist, and damn if the first word that comes to mind is ""merciless."" Though he appears to be using at least three strings on his guitar this time out
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