New Placebo, free download

There are three things you can count on in life: the NJ Devils in the NHL playoffs, the sheer sucktitude of first day of work back from vacation and the general awesomeness of new Placebo music. Really, name me one band from the UK boom of the mid-90s (I won't call them Britpop) that's still as lethal and legit as they were back when we all first slit eyeholes in a paper bag.

Granted, these days Placebo is basically making music for their fans, but that's what we love about them. If sudden arena-sized fame arises, so be it; but it will be on Placebo's terms on music that is 100% their own sound. That is why we worship at the Altar of Molko. That's why we still get excited at new material. Open sores and bitter lovers remain unscathed.

So with that, the band is offering their lead single for free download, the title track to upcoming album "Battle of the Sun." I'm not a fan of the clunky first 90 seconds or so, but when it kicks in with that traditional Placebo force, the diehards are given their pure morning bliss. There's some Muse elements here, as well as a fleshing out of the synthy "Song to Say Goodbye" theatrics, and all in all it's a great "we're back" statement and I can't fucking wait for the album to drop come summer. "Meds" was a fanfuckintastic record truly appreciated by few, and this should be as well.