Meds
by Placebo
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. Dot Music
    90
    As sleek and assured as anything the trio have done.
  2. musicOMH.com
    90
    Darker than its predecessors, the harrowing Meds is as close Placebo have come to that perfect album.
  3. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    Secure, self-aware and even funny, this could well be the masterpiece they've always promised to make. [11 Mar 2006, p.43]
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  5. Alternative Press
    80
    Stellar. [May 2006, p.176]
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  6. NOW Magazine
    70
    Molko still manages to carry songs with his affected, nasal delivery as the band provides a steady backbone.
  7. AllMusic
    70
    Meds is as bare and honest as Placebo has ever been.
  8. Drowned In Sound
    70
    While there is nothing even marginally groundbreaking here, Placebo have still returned with another steady record in Meds.
  9. Q Magazine
    70
    Their most focused album to date. [Apr 2006, p.118]
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  10. Rolling Stone
    60
    Piles on near-emo levels of deep feelings over a plush bed of New Order synth beats and echoey atmospherics. [6 Apr 2006, p.69]
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  11. Slant Magazine
    60
    A version of Coldplay's X&Y for the Hot Topic set, Meds finds a successful band doing just a little to tinker with their proven formula--in this case, bombastic melodic hooks supporting straightforward, repetitive lyrical turns-of-phrase--and attempting to pass off a few too many soundalike tracks as thematic coherence.
  12. Mojo
    60
    A third of these songs can rightly be claimed as classic Placebo pop. [Apr 2006, p.106]
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  13. Pitchfork
    51
    Meds isn't a terrible album, but there's very little to get excited about on it either, and Placebo's calculated naughtiness is no more convincing than it's ever been.
  14. Prefix Magazine
    50
    If you are able to ignore the lyrics, you'll be rewarded: the choruses on Meds are catchy.
  15. PopMatters
    40
    Sure, there are some massive tunes here, more so than on much of the band’s recent work. But by the time the chorus on “Blind” fades back into the verse, it’s so familiar that the anthem passes by without leaving a trace of emotion whatsoever.
  16. The Guardian
    40
    Molko aims for film-noir sleaziness, but barely warrants a parental-guidance sticker.
  17. Uncut
    40
    The endless drug references now seem calculating rather than risque, while the daft lyrics simply grate. [Apr 2006, p.106]
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Awards & Rankings

71
#71 Most Discussed Album of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 103 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 78 out of 103
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 103
  3. Negative: 8 out of 103
  1. Charlyrockstar
    Apr 14, 2014
    10
    The best album since Without You I'm Nothing, and the best album of hte decade, an classic album, have all the energy, have it all,is an albumThe best album since Without You I'm Nothing, and the best album of hte decade, an classic album, have all the energy, have it all,is an album with no mistakes, is the perfect album that the old fans should have… Full Review »
  2. joris
    Apr 5, 2006
    5
    More of the same pathos, they made a boring formula out of themselves... and that's a pitty for a band that was once very good, now I More of the same pathos, they made a boring formula out of themselves... and that's a pitty for a band that was once very good, now I can't even stand Brain's voice anymore, always drowned in those same guitarlayers+synth/sound... though on some songs like INFRA-RED or Song To Say Goodbye e.g. they still prove they can write some decent and exciting rocksongs… Full Review »
  3. XaviLangley
    Jan 16, 2022
    10
    El mejor álbum de Placebo en cuanto a sonido. A pesar de que "volvieron a su sonido" con este álbum, lo cierto es que no suena nada a WithoutEl mejor álbum de Placebo en cuanto a sonido. A pesar de que "volvieron a su sonido" con este álbum, lo cierto es que no suena nada a Without You I'm Nothing, Black Market Music o Placebo.… Full Review »
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