The Libertines The Libertines. Release Date : August 31, 2004. Label: Sanctuary. Rating: East Coast Music Award/Grammy/Juno/Shortlist Prize/Mercury Music Prize. And I’m thinking: whoa this is urgent. This is needed. This is panic, confusion, love, addiction, distress, nostalgia (in the best possible sense of the word) and brilliance, all in one. This is messy guitars, messier lives and great songs. Yes, this is The Libertines. And I’m thinking that Can’t Stand Me Now (first single) is the perfect epitaph for the two heroes of the story: Pete and his sod it! attitude and Carl, whose sod it! attitude would be outstanding when compared to anyone else but dear Pete. I’m not going to tell you their last names but you don’t want to know their last names. I’m not going to tell you their exploits cos you already know the majority of them, and if you do not, the entire better. And I’m thinking tis as much about the story and attitude and look as it is about the music. And that pretty much applies for all music that is worthwhile. Catchy songs come at rates of 10 for 12 cents in this day (used to be a dime a dozen, but the times they are a changing), but music with this much backing and credibility is much tougher to come by. You see, The Libertines, despite the huge amount of press they receive in their native Britain, somehow manage to retain a sense of mystery and intrigue that is very much appreciated. And that really is worth something. Chalk it up to the emergence of Pete and Carlos being rock music’s new charismatic leaders, both in lifestyle and music (you can also add The Vines Craig Nicholls to this list). Nary has a dynamic duo of this proportion and vigour been spotted on the music radar in recent memory. Few contemporary frontmen have successfully put forth this much quality music (need more? Check the large scores of mostly acoustic demo sessions in the form of The Sailor Sessions and The Babyshambles Sessions, available on fan sites) and passion in the face of extreme adversity. And I’m thinking that the average music consumer could not give two bits about intrigue or depth of character. Well, in the spirit of these esteemed lads, bollocks to the average music consumer. You are not the average music consumer. You care enough to read these words. And in doing so you are resigning yourself to the fact that this band, and this record, matters. Musically speaking, if uncooked, unrefined and untreated, and by that I mean raw, rock played on the brink of disaster is what you are looking for, then Happy Kwanzaa. You have found what you are looking for. And I’m thinking that this long player will not be a commercial success on this continent of ours. And in a case of this nature, this is a good thing. As seems to always be the case, large scale success on these shores would somehow taint the event. As contradictory as it is, this is a record that all rock fans should hear, but I sure as shit hope that only a few do. D’yaknowwhatimean? And I’m thinking that Don’t Be Shy is a shitty song, which is a bit of a bummer, cos the rest of the record is top of the league: A more than usual selection of magnificent songs (What Katie Did, What Became Of The Likely Lads etc.), a supple supply of solid, quality tunes (The Saga, Road To Ruins etc.), and only a smattering of shite. And I’m thinking that you might want some more details in regard to lyrical content, song description, production notes and the bit. Well, again, I’m not going to tell you. I think my recommendation alone should be reason enough to listen, nurture and thoroughly enjoy this music. Uncle Kevin knows best. And what follows below is another view on the album ... For those looking for more ‘80s drownage, sulk rock - this is not it. Is it just me or do the Libertines tread awful close to sounding like The Pogues? Seriously! (Minus the Celtic, Irish traditional stuff, tin whistle, etc. Shudder!) That said though, that’s what makes their lo-fi, reckless recording sound almost timeless. “Icons of a generation” – Not quite, I recon my mom would even enjoy this album and that’s a good thing. Undoubtedly, some of this charm has to be credit to The Clashes’ Mick Jones who produced the first Libertines album back in 2002 “Up The Bracket” which was in no way a commercial success story here in North America but certainly raised eyebrows. Back home it propelled them to cult status with faithful followers packing out venues to see their heroes, front men Pete Doherty and Carl Baret. However, fallowing in the footsteps of the well used rock n roll cliché, sadly, Pete moved toward Heroin abuse escalating in 2003 to Pete breaking into Carl’s flat and leading to an arrest and a jail sentence. Sure, The Libertines have always been a little on the seedy side but this was going too far and Pete was kicked out of the band temporarily until he was sorted out. Pete then formed his own band “Babyshambles” and then turned to, er, Wolfman, who wrote the stunning “This is for Lovers” with Pete, and shortly after Pete was let back into the band. Anyhow… Off to the studio early this year to produce the second album “The Libertines” (produced again by Mick Jones) where manager, Alan Mcgee, (Yep, Oasis, Primal Scream guy) eventually had to hire bodyguards “to keep Pete and Carl from killing each other in the studio”. This bliss didn’t last for long and after the album was done Pete was told he must (once again) get sorted if he wanted to continue to be in the band. After a few failed attempts at rehab including a brief stint at a Tibetan Monastery Pete Doherty, disheartened and bitter decided he wasn’t going to return to a band in which he “wasn’t wanted anyway”. All that and one can imagine why the media have gleeped on to make the band tabloid fodder within the UK. Sadly this has shadowed the album that isn’t bad at all. The Libertines overrated? They have been, and for the wrong reasons. Singles like Can’t Stand Me Now and What Became Of The Likely Lads are certainly enough to get the blood rushing though, and the honest documentation in this album (Hence the Title “The Libertines”) is a captivating listen. Put all the analysing aside and this is a very good album. Worth the investment for the authenticity alone. -Cord staff Elsewhere Libertines website Published : November 15, 2004.