B3EP[2] (often referred to as simply B3) is an EP by alternative rock band Placebo, released on 15 October 2012 through record label Vertigo.
| B3EP | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| EP by | ||||
| Released | 15 October 2012 | |||
| Recorded | Strongroom, RAK Studios, London; Metal Works, Toronto, Canada | |||
| Genre | Alternative rock | |||
| Length | 23:56 | |||
| Label | Vertigo | |||
| Producer | David Bottrill, Adam Noble, Placebo | |||
| Placebo chronology | ||||
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| Singles from B3EP | ||||
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History
editIn 2010, band members Brian Molko and Stefan Olsdal began to publicly state that they were working on material for another studio album.[3] On 23 November 2011, the band announced via their Facebook page and official website that they would return to the studio in 2012 to record their seventh studio album.[4] Placebo confirmed in late May 2012 that they expect to release some tracks by the end of year, and that they have been assisted by Adam Noble (Red Hot Chili Peppers, dEUS) on a new album which will be released by the Northern Hemisphere summer in 2013.[5] In August 2012, Molko revealed on Italy's Rai Radio 2 that a new single entitled "B3" would be released in September and a new album is expected to be released in March 2013.[6]
On 14 September 2012, the band announced that they would release a five-track EP titled B3 on 12 October.[7]
Release
editB3EP was released on 15 October through record label Vertigo, three days later than predicted.[8] It reached no. 65 in the UK album charts.
A music video was released for the title track on 17 October.[9]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Consequence of Sound |   [10] |
The only professional review came from Consequence of Sound. Reviewer Katherine Flynn, after criticising the band's previous album, 2009's Battle for the Sun, which she wrote "didn't feel as urgent, or as true, as anything that had come before [in Placebo's canon]", saw B3 as a "[return] to their loud, largely minor-key hijinks" and writing that the EP "kicks", citing the ending track "Time Is Money" as a highlight.[10]
Track listing
editAll tracks are written by Placebo (Brian Molko, Stefan Olsdal and Steve Forrest), except as noted
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "B3" | 4:10 | |
| 2. | "I Know You Want to Stop" (Minxus cover) | Joseph Whitney, Gavin Pearce, She Rocola | 3:04 |
| 3. | "The Extra" | 4:20 | |
| 4. | "I.K.W.Y.L." | 5:10 | |
| 5. | "Time Is Money" | 7:15 |
Personnel
edit- Placebo
- Brian Molko – uncredited performance, production on tracks 2 and 4
- Stefan Olsdal – uncredited performance, production on tracks 2 and 4
- Steve Forrest – uncredited performance, production on tracks 2 and 4
- Additional personnel
- Fiona Brice – string arrangements on track 3
- Technical
- David Bottrill – production on tracks 3 and 5
- Adam Noble – production on track 1, mixing on tracks 1 and 2
- Alan Moulder – mixing on tracks 3 and 5
- Neil Comber – mixing on track 4
- Tim Young – mastering
- Helena Berg – cover design, sleeve photography
- Anthony Crook – sleeve design
References
edit- ^ Steffen Hung. "Placebo - B3". lescharts.com. Retrieved 9 August 2022.
- ^ "B3EP Placebo". placeboworld.co.uk. Archived from the original on 26 July 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- ^ "Placebo Interview Brian Molko in Singapore 2010 – YouTube". 20 August 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2013 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Placebo / News". placeboworld.co.uk. 23 November 2011. Archived from the original on 28 November 2011. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- ^ "Placebo / News". placeboworld.co.uk. 31 May 2012. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- ^ Moby Dick del 02/08/2012 – Parte 2 (MP3). 2 August 2012. Retrieved 2 August 2012.
- ^ "Placebo Announce New Five-Track EP 'B3' | News | nme.com". NME. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- ^ "Placebo – The Day Has Arrived... Placebo B3EP Is Released..." Facebook. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
- ^ "Placebo – BC (HD) – YouTube". 17 October 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b Flynn, Katherine (19 November 2012). "Album Review: Placebo – B3 EP | Consequence of Sound". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 26 June 2013.