Placebo: We Come in Pieces

Filmed in 2010 at London's Brixton Academy, this is the final concert in the Battle for the Sun tour mounted by British alternative rock band Placebo, who combine glam guitars with New Wave keyboards and emotive vocals. The energetic playing here pleases the excitable crowd, but by revving things up, the group loses some of the subtleties of their recorded work, especially on “Special Needs,” which is too loud. In some ways, their look is more distinctive than their sound, as tattooed drummer Steve Forrest sports a modified mohawk, bass player Stefan Olsdal wears a metallic suit, and singer/guitarist Brian Molko recalls Jack White with his center-parted hair, eye shadow, and black-and-white outfit (two other players, Bill Lloyd and Nick Gavrilovic, rarely appear). For a few numbers, synth player Fiona Brice switches to violin, but it's hard to hear her over the din. Towards the end of the 20-song set, Placebo covers Nirvana's “All Apologies,” although Kurt Cobain's plaintive melody ultimately just highlights the weaknesses of the band's own material. For many numbers, director Paul Shyvers adds cool-looking digital graphics that could be headache-inducing in combination with the strobe lights and fast-cutting. Presented in DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1 and stereo on DVD, and DTS-HD 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, and LPCM stereo on Blu-ray, extras include a behind-the-scenes documentary and six additional live tracks from the tour. A strong optional purchase. (K. Fennessy)