The Libertines - Brilliance In Turmoil (The Libertines - Libertines)

Member Name: jwebb5

Product:	The Libertines - Libertines
Date:	30/07/09 (36 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great melodies; some excellent lyrics; mainly good vocals; lots of energy; drumming; invention

Disadvantages: Lack of consistency; some of the experimentation doesn't come off

The Libertines self titled second album was released five years ago in 2004 - the same year that the band broke up. It can't have been anything less than an utterly surreal whirlwind for those involved, when you consider the conditions the album was written and recorded under. Firstly, there was the problem of their superb debut, 'Up The Bracket'. The expectation on them to produce something not just equal to it, but actually exceeding it, would have been an enormous, constant pressure, and probably meant that the process of creating this album was fraught with tension. Secondly, there were the behind-the-scenes problems. Pete Doherty's drug problems led to him missing tour dates, turning up late to rehearsals, and eventually being kicked out of the band. Soon after the album's release, they would cause the band to break apart altogether. However, the lack of reliability in one half of the songwriting team can't have made things easy, and led to fighting, arguments, tension, and squabbles.

It is an absolute wonder, then, with all this taken into account, that this album is as good as it is, and it really makes you wish the group had been able to get along a little better. It's difficult to say whether this album is better or worse than the debut - they are in truth quite different, and the band's music has definitely progressed. What is certain, is that they are certainly close in quality, and that this is a truly fantastic album. Packed with strong, yet also delicate, melodies, powerful rhythms, invention, thoughtful lyrics, excellent vocals, and above all, a relentless, rock and roll energy - it's difficult to find an area of this album to criticise, apart, perhaps, from the fact that it leaves you wondering what might have been.

Track By Track

1) Can't Stand Me Now - Probably the band's best known song, the opener and single kicks off the album superbly. The upbeat, jaunty melody contrasts well with sad, mournful lyrics, and downbeat, almost angered vocals, and this is a large factor in the songs success: it's well thought out, and everything blends together nicely. The drumming is particularly good on this track, and while everything is quite restrained, mirroring the slightly upset, down theme of the song, there is an undercurrent of energy. The cherry on top is the brilliant harmonica solo. 10/10

2) Last Post On The Bugle - More energetic and bustling, the second track is another beauty. A distinctive, rolling riff carries the song along brilliantly. Doherty's vocals are excellent, and are completely unmistakable. It's a short, sharp burst, at just over 2 and a half minutes, but the mixture of tune and indefatigable energy make it work very well. 9/10

3) Don't Be Shy - The wheels come off slightly as we reach the third track, but it does at least show that the band have ambition and aren't afraid to experiment. The chorus doesn't really work, with the title repeated twice by Doherty, in a higher pitch the second time. It sounds out of control, and actually quite nasty - definitely not his best vocal performance. The rest of the track isn't too bad, but is quite forgettable, and everything is overshadowed by a worry that another chorus will appear at any moment. 5/10

4) The Man Who Would Be King - Things really pick up with the next track, though, with one of the band's best efforts. A soft, beautiful melody is played lightly as a platform for the excellent vocals, yet there is still the hint of power and energy hiding beneath the surface, and they begin to emerge a little as the song progresses. The lyrics deserve special mention, as they are very good here. Everything is well fitted together, and the song has an element of polish that the band rarely show. A superb track. 10/10

5) Music When The Lights Go Out - The fifth track is similarly excellent, and another of the band's best known hits. The two frontmen, fighting so much in between recordings, sound perfectly at peace with one another here, and the harmony between them is truly spellbinding. Like the track before, the melody takes centre stage, and is relaxed rather than frantic. A slower, but very beautiful, effort. 10/10

6) Narcissist - The tranquility of the previous two songs is thrown out of the window here, though, and replaced by an infectious energy. Barat's vocal performance is superb, as is the up-tempo drumming, and frenetic guitar work. The lyrics are good, and the excellent guitar solo is interestingly backed up by someone whistling. A very good track. 9/10

7) The Ha Ha Wall - This follows on immediately from the track before, which may sound insignificant, but actually sets the stage for a track that flows beautifully from start to finish. A nice riff, consistent drumming, and one of Doherty's best vocal perfomances on the album make for an excellent track, slightly let down by a slower paced, rather dull bridge section, with what sounds like wind chimes in the background. Good, but solid rather than spectacular. 8/10

8) Arbeit Macht Frei - Definitely the album's most frantic, energetic track. Clocking in at barely over a minute, it has an almost angry passion to it, and really sweeps you along. The lyrics are strange, I have no idea what the title means, but the quick guitars make it a rollercoaster ride that ends all too soon. Strange but quite enjoyable, and at least inventive. 8/10

9) Campaign Of Hate - The main part of this track is slower paced, and it begins to grow quite dull. The melody is decent enough, without being inspiring; the lyrics aren't overly brilliant, and Doherty's subdued vocals sort of sum it up, really. However, the second half of this short song sees the title repeated over and over, gradually quickening in pace. It makes for at least a more interesting climax, and does something to save the song. 7/10

10) What Katie Did - One of the album's best tracks. I don't know whether it was written about Kate Moss or not, but it doesn't really matter - it's a great song regardless. Clever, bouncy melodies and excellent vocals are at odds with the strangely downcast lyrics, though it all works well. The guitars shine through on this song, and it's thoroughly enjoyable to listen to. 10/10

11) Tomblands - Another of the album's shorter tracks, clocking in at 2:06. It's probably about the right length, though - any longer, and it would grow boring, and the initial burst of energy would wear off. Spiky guitars, electricity, and powerful drumming make up the good points; weird lyrics and fairly poor vocals are the bad. It's okay, and another attempt to do something different, even if it doesn't quite come off. 7/10

12) The Saga - Not so with this track, however - this is two minutes of sheer brilliance. Relentless energy, one of the albums best riffs, fast tempo drums, and superb vocals all fit together perfectly to make an outstanding song. The lyrics might not make that much sense, but the piano solo, backed by frantic guitars, at the end is great. 9/10

13) Road To Ruin - Things calm down a little as we reach the penultimate track. The riff might be fairly simple, but it works fairly well, and Barat's vocals help the track to stand out. The lyrics improve on the last two efforts, though still aren't quite top-notch. The slower solo is excellent, however, and the track works fairly well - there isn't too much to criticise, but it's not exactly inspired. 8/10

14) What Became Of The Likely Lads - In some ways, this is almost a follow up to the opener - the two frontmen attempting to reconcile after their earlier argument. In many ways, this gives it a more cheerful tone, even if it is quite reflective and relaxed. The lyrics are superb, and both singers do themselves proud. The energy isn't so much 'in your face', but it is undeniably there. As per usual, the guitar work is excellent, and the melodic, harmonious, and energetic chorus perfectly sums up the band. 10/10

Hidden Track) France - I don't tend to enjoy hidden tracks, but this is so good that it should have been a full track, deserving it's own place on the album. Barat's vocals are excellent, as are the lyrics, while the melodies are superb, making this slower, acoustic effort very different, and ultimately very good. Even the solo is great - one of my favourite songs on the album. 10/10

If you were to ask whether the band's second offering is as good as their first, the answer is probably not. There really isn't a bad song on 'Up The Bracket', and there are some here. 'The Libertines' certainly reaches the same highs, however, and perhaps a little more unity could have made this something very special indeed. That's not to say it isn't worth buying, because it's still a great album, and very enjoyable to listen to. One of the most interesting aspects is the degree of invention shown by the band - you'd think that, in their state, they would have been pleased with anything they churned out, but you can sense the eagerness to try something new, which is encouraging, even if sometimes it doesn't come off.

You have to give the band credit for this album. To produce something this good, with the problems they had at the time, is an amazing achievement, and one they should be very proud of. There are some truly great tracks here, and, in some ways like their creators, if there had been more consistency, this could have been astonishingly good. Happily, the band are set to reform in 2010, and now that they've had five years to grow up and mature, as well as develop musically, I really can't wait to see what they produce. If they can pick up where they left off, with this very good album, it ought to be something special. This very nearly was.

Summary: Very, very good, but not quite great. Definitely recommended.