Placebo - Daddy Cool

Tue 9th Mar, 2004 in Music Reviews

Being reasonably familiar with both the original tracks covered by Placebo on this single release, I must admit I was a little worried as to what if anything they could do with these tunes. Upon the first listening, I found the distorted cover of Daddy Cool to be a little ho-hum, but after a few more listens, it grew on me, with Brian Molko’s peppy vocal suiting the mood of the track well, and the musical aesthetic of the band updating the song nicely.

However, I was happy to continue to the next tune, Running Up That Hill. A wonderful epic piece originally by Kate Bush and recently remixed by Sydney’s own, Infusion. Now here is a tune where the bands ethereal qualities and Molko’s voice can really shine, with the throbbing bass line and the beautiful backup harmonies, it is clearly suited to Placebo in my opinion and is definitely the better track on the single.

Both tunes are from the bonus disc issued with the new album Sleeping With Ghosts. It’s an interesting move to issue a covers bonus disc with the album, allowing Placebo fans to enjoy some influences of the band and provides virgin listeners a good starting point with tunes they may be familiar with.