Music of the Day, 2 January 2025

start again

More synchronicities. In a couple of my online hangouts, people are still discussing resolutions, under that label as well as others (an überlist? GTFOH with that nonsense). But they did get me to thinking about shifting my focus, during which a Latin term sprang to mind. Elsewhere in my wanderings earlier today, someone mentioned a band of that name [edit:

Matty C

’s post on ghost songs triggered that band name, because I have a ghost-titled album by them in my music library]. You know what I had to do!

I opened the folder and was a bit disappointed to see only one album within. But then I chose a song and started listening. Whooooo.

I’m not sure what I had in mind when I chose “English Summer Rain” (ESR) to listen to, but what I got was definitely unexpected. The uneven, low-fi drum opening is weirdly cool and doesn’t prepare one for what’s ahead. Lead singer and guitarist Brian Molko’s voice reminds me of Al Stewart’s,¹ with a rougher edge that I like. Can a song be both atmospheric and dirty/grungy? That’s how “ESR” hits me, so I guess I’ve answered my own question.

“ESR” is from Placebo’s fourth studio album, Sleeping with Ghosts, which came out in 2003. The band’s other members at that time were Steve Hewitt on drums and bassist-guitarist-backing vocalist Stefan Olsdal. Placebo has been around since 1994, and I don’t know how I missed them all these years. Alt rock isn’t my main jam, but several friends over the years have been fans of the genre; given Placebo’s popularity, it’s a bit of a mystery.

I haven’t been able to pull myself away from repeat listens of “English Summer Rain” yet, so I don’t know if I’ll like anything else on Sleeping with Ghosts, much less Placebo’s other albums. Seeing how they’ve lived up to their name² with this track, I will definitely be exploring more of their music soon.

1. and a touch of John Darnielle’s enunciation

2. placebo means “I will please”