Absolute Gem

A great listen all the way through. Give it time and they'll be playing sold out venues in the US...

Two Crooked Fingers I Show, oh the Horror

Ah, the Libertines. Like the Santa Ana winds blew the stale smell of cigarettes and greasy chips in my face while watching episodes of "The Young Ones" in my bedroom adorned with old Jam posters. Ok, I was trying to get a vibe across. If you need it in spoon fed pap form...think Supergrass meets The Strokes produced by Paul Weller back in the Jam heyday. I got this cd in Tokyo and man did a big painful smile come across my face. From track one "Vertigo" all the way to track 12 "I get Along" which really busted me up since that track was also on their debut single "What a Waster". Although I loved Waster, I really thought "I get Along" was the killer track. Here, it has been slightly redone and has never sounded better. I can see how people might write these guys off as Jam rip-offs etc. But I see them as being more clever and cheeky for that. The lyrics are way better than they need to be and the craftsmanship is apparent in it's rawness and clarity. nothing overdone and overdubbed. Simply perfect if you ask me and since you won't, get this cd and judge for yourself. If you like these guys and wanna expand your brit-rock horizons may I offer up these deserving bands...1. The Datsuns"The Datsuns" 2. V Twin"The Blues is a Mindfield" 3. The Coral "The Coral" 4. Radio 4 5. Ikara Colt 6. The Beatings

Ups and downs

The Libertines are a band that would have fitted in perfectly in the golden days of rock'n'roll, and it's only a shame that they have yet to really reform. In their debut album, "Up The Bracket," this London band churns out catchy, gritty rock'n'roll with a Britpop twist.



The album starts on a strong note with "Vertigo," a catchy garage-rocker that alternates between Pete Doherty's slightly slurred singing, and combustive short basslicks. "The rapture of vertigo/And letting go/Me myself I was never sure/Was it the liquor/Or was it my soul?" Doherty asks. His irreverent edge takes away any softer sentiments.



That style carries over to the yowling "Horror Show" and and sizzling "Boys in the Band," and drapes itself over the entire album like a worn leather jacket. There are a handful of lower-key guitar rockers, like the simmering "Begging" and the smooth "Tell the King," as well as the strummy and slightly surreal "Radio America."



The Libertines have only made two albums, but their kinetic sound has made them a musical presence on both sides of the pond. What's more, it's just fun to listen to -- their music has the rare quality of being genuinely catchy, energetic, rough and well-written. It's difficult enough to find one of those qualities, so finding one with all of the above is a rarity.



Pete Doherty, now out of the band, does pretty good service as a frontman. His vocals are strong if a bit slurred; he can raise his voice to a scream, or lower it to a seductive little chant. But surprisingly, the more you listen to this, the more it becomes obvious that the other Libertines are just as important to their sound.



Doherty and Carl Barat do exceptional double-duty as guitarists, all punk riffs and deliberately sloppy edges. And it's all wrapped around strong, lyrics about drinking, groupies and being bad-boy rockers is some good music. If Doherty doesn't shoot himself up into the grave, he will undoubtedly be regarded as a masterful rock writer.



In places, they sound like a band about to disintegrate, but that only adds to the punky-laddish flavour of "Up The Bracket." Whatever happens to the Libertines next, their debut is a must-have.

You can listen to it over and over......

This CD has hardly left my CD player for the past month. After a month of the musical doldrums brought on by Joe Stummer's untimely death, the music of the Libertines has lifted my spirits. Their music has tremendous energy that recalls The Clash's London Calling era and The Jam. Produced by Mick Jones, he has left his mark all over it. If we can't have the Clash, at least they left some great followers in the Libertines.