Covers

These 10 covers were first released as part of a limited-edition bonus disc with Placebo's 2003 album Sleeping with Ghosts. Some appeared as b-sides, while others made it to compilation albums. Placebo's cover of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" appeared on the TV program The O.C. and inspired its record company to get this collection back into print. The choices show a smart group with eclectic but schooled tastes. Placebo's aggression is tempered a bit to bring out the best in the melodies. Pixies' "Where Is My Mind?" is an obvious choice for any post-punk group, while Robert Palmer's "Johnny and Mary" is an unexpected jewel. T. Rex's "20th Century Boy" pays direct homage to one of this glam band's most obvious influences and appeared on the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack. "The Ballad of Melody Nelson" appeared on a tribute album to Serge Gainsbourg, featuring a perfect decadence for vocalist Brian Molko to exploit. Boney M's "Daddy Cool" is an exquisite dance number, while Big Star's "Holocaust" is an unsettling death ballad.