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Placebo frontman Brian Molko recently explained the thinking behind the collection put together for ‘Battle for The Sun’, as well as the tracklisting.

Molko told NME.com: “I believe ‘Battle’ to be the first of our albums to tell a story over the course of its 52 minutes. Our previous releases were really only collections of songs and even though the songs are ordered according to the musical flow, I hope that if you listen hard enough to the words that some kind of discernible thematic unity will begin to emerge.”

The tracklisting is:

”Kitty Litter’
‘Ashtray Heart’
‘Battle For The Sun’
‘For What It’s Worth’
‘Devil In The Details’
‘Bright Lights’
‘Speak In Tongues’
‘The Never-Ending Why’
‘Julien’
‘Happy You’re Gone’
‘Breathe Underwater’
‘Come Undone’
‘Kings of Medicine’

According to Rock Sound and Classic Rock on Tuesday Mach 17th Placebo held a ‘secret gig’ to air their new songs. This appears to have been a press only affair. Music journos were summoned to a fourth-floor rehearsal studio located on an industrial estate in South London, and the new line-up of Placebo, aided by a keyboard/violinist (Brice?) and two guitarists (Lee and Lloyd?), proceeded to blast out the majority of their new album.

Along with ‘Batte For The Sun’, the tracklist debuted included the titles ‘Ashtray Heart’, ‘Julian’, ‘Kitty Litter’, ‘Speaking In Tongues’ and ‘Devil’s In The Details’.

Classic Rock Magazine reports that, “Steve Forrest, on the tattoo front pretty much half man-half ink, showcased his percussive talents magnificently, Stefan (referred to by Brian as “The glue that keeps this band together” ) switched to guitar on occasion, while the addition of violin adds yet more depth to the increasingly dense wall-of-sound that the band have developed over the years.”

“We’re very excited about the new album, and my favourite track is ‘Speaking In Tongues’, but don’t let that influence you!” said Molko to Rock Sound.

Rock Sound reports that the new album is a heavier-sounding record compared to its predecessor ‘Meds’ and is a return to the earlier sounds from ‘Without You I’m Nothing’. The string arrangements present on the new tracks also give it a more experimental and epic direction.

There will be a worldwide exclusive play of the title track ‘Battle For The Sun’ this week on Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio 1 show at aproximately 7.00pm on Tuesday 17th March, so make sure you tune in and listen out for any special announcements!

Not sure what time that is in your country? Find out here so you can listen to the live online stream!

By the way, don’t forget to sign up to the brand new Placebo mailing list! The first issue went to inboxes today. Sign up and have the latest news come right to you!

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If you were unable to listen to the show, fear not because you can now download Battle For The Sun, 100% legally free from the official Placebo website, here.

Placebo’s forthcoming album now has a title AND a release date. Battle for the Sun will be available on June 8th 2009.

The album will be released via download, CD, limited edition CD + DVD, LP and a very limited special Deluxe Box Set! You can pre-order the Box Set right now by clicking here. However at £70.00/$100USD/$150AUD many fans have been sent scrambling for pennies under couches!

CONTENTS of 2 hardback bound books in hard back slipcase

Book 1
CD1: Full album + 2 exclusive bonus tracks
CD2: Live album tracks from forthcoming world tour – Blank CD that allows exclusive download of live recorded tracks, from selected live dates
DVD1: Live at Angkor Wat. Full concert performance shot in December 2008 of the band’s only show last year which was the first ever rock show to take place at the world famous Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia.
PLUS a film documenting the band’s trip to Cambodia, behind the scenes footage and interviews with the band.

DVD2: In the studio; The making of ‘Battle For The Sun’ The album. A film featuring exclusive, never before seen, ‘fly on the wall’ footage of Placebo in the studio making the new album. Includes interviews with the band.
36 page photo book featuring shots from Angkor Wat and Cambodia.

Book 2
2 x Heavy Vinyl LP
16 pages of handwritten lyrics & studio photos
Exclusive film poster insert

If that wasn’t incentive enough, the first 500 copies of the Box Set ordered will be hand signed by the band and five lucky people will have the opportunity to an exclusive dining and side of stage experience with the lads!