Placebo: Soulmates Never Die - Live in Paris 2003 [DVD]

When I heard about Placebo Soulmates Never Die Live in Paris, Placebo's first musical DVD, around the time of Easter 2004, I was absolutely pumped because in my opinion, Placebo is the greatest band to come out since the Pixies and Sonic Youth. I waited and waited for this mind-blowing DVD featuring the sexiest boys in rock n' roll, Brian Molko, Stefan Olsdal,and Steve Hewitt(along with Bill and Xavior, two awsome guys who help Placebo out) to come out in the US. Finally, on June 29, 2004, my wishes were granted, with the help of Amazon because I live in Hick Town USA, and nobody knows who Placebo is. Let me just say this was one of the best things I've spent $17.38 on. IF YOU ARE A PLACEBO FAN YOU MUST GET THIS DVD because it is truly spectacular. It starts off with the sexy boys of Placebo backstage, warming up, drinking, smoking, and taking pictures. After a group hug and scream, the guys and 16,000 adoring fans in the audience are finally ready to rock n' roll. The opening song, "Bullet Proof," a song that is entirely instrumental, sets the mood for the night in three words: marvelous, incredible, and perfection. Each song, ones ranging from old Placebo classics, to "Without You I'm Nothing"'s heart-wrenching love diary entries, to rocking "Black Market Music" to their newest stuff on "Sleeping With Ghosts" is absolutely perfect. TRACK LISTING: 1. Bullet Proof 2. Allergic 3. Every You Every Me 4. Bionic 5. Protege Moi 6. Plasticine 7. Bitter End 8. Soulmates 9. Black-Eyed 10. I'll Be Yours 11. Special Needs 12. English Summer Rain 13. Without You I'm Nothing 14. This Picture 15. Special K 16. Taste In Men 17. Slave To Wage 18. Peeping Tom 19. Pure Morning 20. Centerfolds 21. Where Is My Mind? (Featuring Frank Black of the Pixies) Like I said each song is perfect...but different. Brian Molko's voice sounds a bit different from the CD recordings. It's not as androgynous as it used to be, but it's still great. Also, along with Brian's voice, the songs are different from the recordings, especially in "Every You Every Me." The song lyrics are changed in some songs, cortiousy of Mr. Molko. Example: "Damn the government, damn their killings, damn their lies" to "Well f*** the government, yeah f*** their killings, f*** their lies." This happens a couple of times throughout the concert, but who cares? They are Placebo, they can do anything they want. But if you are easily offended (and if you are I don't know why you are listening to Placebo in the first place...?) the back of the DVD case warns you, "This programme contains strong language and material that may cause offence. Parental Guidance is recommended." This might also refer to the images flashed on the screen behind the guys during songs such as "This Picture" and "Centerfolds." A bit of nudity, but it should be viewed as art. In between songs, Brian and Stef talk to the crowd a bit and it's mostly all in French. I guess this kind of sucks for people who don't speak French like myself, but oh well, they are in Paris. As you are watching the concert, you can really tell Placebo loves their fans and their fans love them. Stefan gets some lovin' in "Taste in Men" when a beloved male fan finds himself on stage hugging and dancing with Stefan, but is then taken off the stage by security guards. Best part of all of this is watching Brian crack up watching the whole thing. The guys, Brian, Stefan, and Steve end the show with a smashing rendition of "Where Is My Mind?" A song originally by the Pixies off their amazing "Surfer Rosa" album, which everyone should own. On stage along with the guys is none of than Frank Black, the Pixies front man. When the concert part of the DVD ends, you feel like you are going to scream from the elation the music has given you. If you shut your blinds, turn off all you lights, turn the stereo on full blast, and sit in your best chair, as I did, you can actually get an idea of what it's like going to a Placebo concert. It's truly an amazing escapade. After you finish watching the concert you can watch the documentary, which is great. It shows the guys going to different places are the world like Seattle, Las Vegas, and Mexico. You listen to interviews, watch Stefan do his "gay dance," listen to Stefan tell funny stories about the cut under his eye, watch Brain's version of "The Blair Witch Project," the guys signing autographs, Brian showing a tour of his "crib", which made me crack up so hard, and much much much more. It's very funny, and fun to watch. (...)

I'm a hardcore Placebo fan and i've loved them long before they ever released this DVD, but let me say it's worth the buy. Soulmates Never Die is a compilation of their live footage from their 2003 concert in Paris to which they played to THOUSANDS of diehard fans. I, personally, wish I could've been there to see such an amazing performance. Brian's ecclectic voice is so gorgeous and his androgynous style shoots forth from the stage. He keeps the energy high and the crowd screaming for more. Stefan's "gay dancing" (as Brian so coyly named it) amused the crowd during the intro to "Taste In Men." It amused one lucky fan a bit too much as he ran onstage and tried to pull Stefan away with him, causing Brian to burst out laughing. Not much to say about Steve, hiding away behind his drum kit. THe most amusing part about the shots of him is the fact that everytime he hits the snare he blinks. Otherwise, the DVD is mainly focused on Brian and Stefan. Amazing live performance and the special features are a great extra. There is a 25-something mini-Documentary of the band along with some hidden easter eggs, like Brian's B12 shots in his behind (which are delectable, to be honet.) All "easter eggs" are explained on Wikipedia. This DVD is definitely worth the buy. I recommend it to any Placebo fan, old or new.

Live in Paris DVD- This is so amazing I watched it so many times already. I love Brian Molko & Placebo. This has most of my favorite songs live. I want to get the music video DVD to. This is very good quality so your going to enjoy this alot. It also has a 20 minute pass to the Placebo life and backstage stuff.

I think the best way to review this product is separating video and audio. Audio has a non-disputable 5 Star. Molko sounds clear, you can tell all the different instruments, riffs, etc. during each second of recording. I am great fan of live material, however sometimes the original record provides more excitement than the live version, this is not the case. Also, couldn't agree more with the track listing (as shown by other reviewers). I'm not great fan of latest Placebo stuff, so I'll put it this way: track selection won't probably get better than this. Great end with Frank Black singing duo with Molko "Where is My Mind", a classic glam rock tune. Then the video, honestly I love this band and enjoy of the technique used by all the band members to perform their songs, this DVD lacks direct camera shots of the band members playing solos or other stuff. Most of it is "bombarded" with retro images which sould be annoying after a while, seems more like a 90 minute MTV video. Then the extra DVD features are very specific to a particular time of their 2003 tour, but in my case I enjoyed it because I'd never seen such footage before. Overall a very good DVD for all those Placebo fans looking for 90 minutes of their best tunes and an amazing finale. Must say that given the few Placebo material on DVD, this is probably the best one to own. ---------------------------------------------------------------- ONLY REVIEW ITEMS I OWN

I can watch this concert over and over again and I will still want to play it again and not because they are by favorite band but just the whole concept is AWESOME. Molko just rocked the stage, his blue voice and the tone it has is just the perfect combination for the INCREDIBLE visual effects the DVD has. It has the perfect song arrangement and also has the perfect length, is not to short for you to except more or too long that you get bored. This is a MUST on a DVD collection.

POR FIN DESPUES DE MUCHO TIEMPO LO TENGO EN MIS MANOS

Das Konzert in Paris war mit Sicherheit eines der besten aufgezeichneten Konzerte die Placebo je gegeben haben, als Sahnehäubchen obenauf ein super Publikum, eine tolle Setlist und der Gastauftritt von Frank Black. Musikalisch absolut überzeugend, die Jungs spielen sich echt die Seele aus dem Leib und liefern eine 1A Leistung. Was mir wie Einigen vorher auch ein wenig negativ aufgefallen ist, ist die teilweise etwas hektisch anmutende Schnitttechnik die angewandt wurde - dafür gibts aber bei mir keinen Abzug, denn weniger als 5 Punkte wären der Leistung der Band einfach nicht angemessen. Schönes Extra ist natürlich gerade für eingefleischte Fans wie mich die Tour-Doku. Placebo wie man sie eher weniger kennt - sehr lustig und absolut sehenswert :).

Bonjour à tous je ne suis pas forcément fan de PLACEBO mais c'est sûrement en voyant des concerts qu'on peut voir s'ils sont bons Et bien : c'est bon voire même trés bon Il y a de l'énergie, pas de fausses notes et ça bouge... Trés bon concert, l'idée m'a même traversé l'esprit d'aller les voir en live alors que je ne suis pas fan A voir absolument ou à posséder Cdlt

Appassionante concerto per i Placebo. Registrazione buona immagini e suono buoni. Lo ho già guardato 3 volte ed ogni volta mi entusiasma.

デビュー当時からプラシーボは知っていましたが、 今年になってライブを観て、こんなにかっこよかったのかと 今更ファンになってしまいました。 このＤＶＤは、最初のドラムのスティーブがたたいており、 この時が第一期のピークかなあと思います。 とにかくプラシーボはライブがいい！ なのでライブＤＶＤはオススメです。