Untarnished, raw, libertines at their best (Up The Bracket - The Libertines)

Member Name: stephenk991

Product:	Up The Bracket - The Libertines
Date:	09/08/09 (6 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Doherty's poetic licence, Barat's infectious energy

Disadvantages: Songs may seem a little rough and ready,however this is part of the charm in my opinion

The libertines are a band that have polarised opinion, often with the help of tabloid sensationalism, yet I still find it hard to believe that anyone who gives this album a listen, without any pre-formulated opinions, shall fail to identify with such a buoyant youthful energy.
Being released in 2002 this was the quintessential album of my youth and much like many others began an unashamed idolisation of Doherty's poetic vision. When this came out it is easy to forget that the 'indie' scene as we now have come to know it was virtually non existant, the bands truly were independent and not simply NME fodder. On the back of this it is undeniable that the Libertines rise into the media spotlight was done entirely on their own merit.
Now on to the album at hand, produced by Mick Jones formerly of the Clash, the album understandably has a punkish element however combined with a poetic beauty and an unmistakable garage sound. Opening with Vertigo a raucous song that speaks to me of matters of the heart in a cheeky standoffish way. For me however it is within tell the king and the good old days that you truly get a vision into doherty's psyche, clearly tormented. Lyrics such as 'if you've lost your faith in love and music the end wont be long' particularly stand out to me. Siting Wordsworth as a large influence on him it is clear that, if nothing more, Pete Doherty is still a romantic.
This is an album that is both rough around the edges and soft in the centre. Some great songs to throw on at a party, some songs to appreciate lyrically and some songs that can make you feel ten years younger, a truly great album.

Summary: One of the defining albums of the decade