Think back to a decade ago, and Placebo were the band of choice for too-cool-for-Britpoop indie chicks swooning over Brian Molko's androgynous charms, the band's apogee undoubtedly being replacing T-Rex in 'Velvet Goldmine's alternate history of glam. But that was then, this is now, and their latest single Infra-Red seems just as much a nostalgia trip as their film appearance. Only really of interest to diehard fans who want to hear something new from Placebo without it necessarily being different, to all others this may prove pretty bland stuff. Over-eager to 'rock', the guitar-thrashing starts too early, leaving them with nowhere to go but to stop and start again, and again, with Molko's lyrics eventually becoming the stuff of Smallville soundtracks: "I will find youuuu…" You may find yourself trying to remember if they'd always been such blatant Smashing Pumpkins wannabes, and if so: what was so good about Placebo again? [Alec McLeod]
This single is out on June 19.