• 8 Placebo Audio Interviews
• mini-poster
• running time, 59 minutes

"Sand in the Vaseline" - Brian Molko on the JJJ Breakfast Show


Placebo: X-Posed. In a word this release is disappointing, and not just because there are hopes for nudity when one hears the words Placebo and exposed in the same sentence.

If we're not treated to sins of the flesh, what exactly is revealed on this Interview CD, you may ask! The write up boldly professes that we'll hear the band tell their full story in their own words, recounting what inspires them, what keeps their music relevant, etc. Given that this is an unauthorized affair we all understand that there will be obvious limitations of such a product. So, how was this feat achieved?

Upon playing the CD I heard the familiar Australian twang of (ex)Triple J breakfast radio hosts Adam and Will and was quite surprised, even shocked. Not only was I surprised because the quality is seemingly below broadcast level, but because almost all Placebo fans are aware that this particular group of interviews are available, legally, for free on the internet. Though the Aussies provide us with an amusing set of interviews, their provision was not well researched given that the target audience is already in possession of the material. Unfortunately this situation is repeated with the addition of another well-known UK radio interview. I say 'unfortunately' because this release could have been an opportunity for fans to obtain and collect further unheard interviews or information, though that opportunity has largely gone begging.

As the CD progresses there are a few interviews placed throughout which are seemingly a journalist's audio recordings from various print press interviews. This is precisely the type of audio you would expect to hear on such a product, though in my opinion they are too few and far between to be wholly redeeming.

On a positive note I can say that the packaging is quite enticing with a sleek coloured cardboard slip cover, a small mini poster of the band at the 2005 Kerrang! awards and a standard jewel case. This presentation may prove winning, but only for those who like to purchase a book by its cover.

As I always say, at the end of the day this is just one person's opinion; whether you trust my opinion as a long-standing fan or not is entirely up to you. However I think if fans are expected to part with their money for an unauthorized product then a little more effort should go into its creation, as one can't help but feel that this CD underestimates the intelligence of a fan.

That said, if you're the kind of person that would buy anything with the word Placebo on it, or don't already have these interviews but would like them on CD, X-Posed is available from the Chrome Dreams website or from amazon.co.uk.