B3

Over the course of six studio albums, Placebo has sold more than 12 millions albums worldwide and, more importantly, built a hardcore cult audience that's addicted to the group's sugar-blue rush of euphoric choruses and desperate, raging verses. Singer Brian Molko is a throwback to the days when lead singers were truly decadent creatures who lived out their fantasies of fame and money. His androgynous poses add a psycho-sexual edge to everything he sings. B3 EP is a stopgap measure, a pause before a new album is completed for 2013 release. Yet it's no sleeper. The dark, shimmering menace of "I.K.W.Y.L." captures the glam trio's strongest side. "B3" turns out another noirscape anthem that slips and slides with analog synths, shards of angry guitars, and Molko's dominating vocal. This is a group that's not afraid to put its singer way up in front. A cover of Minxus' "I Know You Want to Stop" improves the song dramatically, bringing out a stronger melody. Quite simply, London's Placebo is one of the strongest alternative rock bands that bleeds it heart out on a regular basis.