Hello there. Proper newb here. I am 16 years young that has an ambition to become a form of reviewer...
Hello there. Proper newb here. I am 16 years young that has an ambition to become a form of reviewer for a career! Laters xx
Member since:12.10.2005
Reviews:17
Members who trust:3
There is no describing how this album came about, where it came from or what it sounds like. Peter Doherty and Carl (Carlos) Barat have came up with this album that has practically gone un-noticed to the general consensus of Britain.
Vertigo - Well this song couldn't be a better album starter for a band that is viewed as mental and out of control, this is exactly what the song is. It is brilliant, your foot will tap so much that you will have one of the most knackered legs ever known to mankind, and it only lasts just over two and a half minutes! If you were seeing The Libs live and this came on, then the pushovers would not want to be anywhere near the front, centre or back as it will get the crowd going even if you are the most boring person in existence. Great, great, great! 9/10.
Death on the Stairs - The intro sounds like it is an outro to Vertigo, if you get what I mean...It is hard to put any contrast between this and Vertigo other than the lyrics are a bit more audible and the chorus could (perish the thought!) be a bit quieter than the rest of the song! Compared to Vertigo it seems a bit rubbish but it is still a seriously good song. 8/10.
Horrorshow - Loud, loud guitars!!! It is more of the same, bar the better sound quality it wouldn't sound out of place on a Sex Pistols album. Sounds like it was written and recorded during a serious drugs session (and it probably was!). It is out of control, their is no real order and it probably sounds even more out of control live. This is one of the songs that will cause death
by moshing. If you are relaxed you won't like it, if you are up for it (madfer'it, if you are a Liam Gallagher obsessive) then you will love it. 8/10.
Time For Heroes - Did you see the stylish kids in the riot? I certainly do, it is the four boys on this album, this is much more ordered and it sounds so much better than the first three songs. It is hard to say what this song could be about, is it a snipe at the youth of today? Is it a bit of a love song? Who knows, I don't even think that Pete and Carlos do! Nonetheless, it is a brilliant song, it could be the critics favourite. 9/10.
Boys in the Band - My favourite of the album no question. The intro sounds like it could be an epic but then it takes a turn for the punk road of things. Although it does seem a bit slower than the previous songs. Once again, I have absolutely no idea what this song is about but it is still a great tune. It could be about a groupie? "I know you like the roll of the limousine, and they all get them out for the boys in the band". Once again not out of place on a Pistols album however the riffs are more intelligent, the lyrics are better. I am in love with this song for all eternity. 10/10.
Radio America - Acoustic guitars?!?!?!? A tune for the people who love Sundays. I think this is a geography lesson as it mentions New Brighton (a place around Liverpool isn't it?), Tokyo, America (obviously) and Mexico... Sounds like it has been done at 3am on the comedown from a fix of heroin. A bit strange, I don't really dig it but others probably would. 7/10.
Up The Bracket - Here we go again, punk, punk, punk, PUNK! It sounds ordered here (for once!) but live it will be rag-tag. To some it is blindingly obvious it is about Doherty and Barat's relationship, basically how they can hate each other and love each other at the same time. Perhaps being frustrated with each other's personality? Whatever it is about it is one to listen to again and again and again and again! 9/10.
Tell The King - The intro is a prototype for a certain track on their second album (but I couldn't possibly tell you which one!). If there is such a Libertines song (that involves electric guitars) then this is one that could send you to sleep, it is a bit of a jog in the park rather than a run in the woods. Almost certainly safe, quite controlled. This has to be one of the more depressing songs on the album. Don't listen to this if you are drunk as it will make you cry I reckon. 8/10.
The Boy Looked At Johnny - God knows what the hell they were taking when this was taken. It has to be a joke, a very good one though. It is The Libertines' version of Digsy's Dinner as it has one lyric that makes the whole song (although not so simple) "New York city is very pretty in the night time". I don't know why but that lyric is just brilliant, it probably doesn't mean much at all but it is still a brill lyric that makes the song a good one. 8/10.
Begging - My first impression of this is that they have gone a bit psychedelic here. Perhaps a song they did straight, if the guitars weren't so distorted then it would be a ballad almost! It is still a very nice song, it is like Radio America but ten times better in my opinion. The guitars sound like they have been listening to a bit too much Led Zep (although some will claim that there is no such thing as too much Led Zep!). Less distortion on the guitars and they are on to an even bigger winner. 8.5/10.
The Good Old Days - The Clash are back! It really is scary what the resemblence is, well for the first 10-15 seconds anyway then it breaks out of the shell and just goes right for the kill, it is a song that sounds like it could be so much louder, as if the band are making an attempt to tone down the guitars a bit. At times it is a song for someone who has just got home from work and is just knackered. At other points in the song it sounds like someone who is up at 1am, either drunk, drugged or hyper and they feel like they could stay awake forever. Then the song ends and they fall asleep...9/10.
I Get Along - You are very likely to have a heart attack if you hear this drum intro at a loud volume. If you think I Am The Resurrection is a f*** off song, try listening to this short and not so sweet masterpiece. It picks up where Vertigo left off really, ending the album with one bleeding enormous sound. This song will send you mental and everyone around you mental. The first time you hear this you will sing along, you won't know the words but you will sing anyway, you will mumble you will stutter but you will be so proud that you own this song. 10/10.
If you want a classic album collection for the years of 2000-2010, then this is a must have. If you want an album that will be kind to you, don't buy this. They are The Libertines, they do their music how they want and if you don't like it or if you don't like them. Tough luck they are brilliant and there is no question of that. There are claims they have been overhyped by the NME, completely false. It just an excuse for people to pick holes in the new music of today. This album is a MUST BUY. 9/10.
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unfortunately I find Doherty to be an attention seeking twat, which always puts me off listening to his music - fantastic review though. Alex
kylecoare 23.10.2005 15:39
Great review, well written.
I agree with all of your comments on the album, it really is an unsung classic, which unfortunately will probably only become a classic when pete dohertey finally dies fropm his drug habit, like all of the old classic drug fueled artists.
Kyle
Can Up the Bracket, the debut album from London dandies The Libertines live up to the ... more
hype? Sure, they walk the walk: it's hard to see how four doe-eyed indie dreamboats with greasy hair, cider-stained leather jackets and a wide-eyed mythology that pla...
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Advantages: A truly stunning album, with a definite swagger and personality. Melodic, very energetic. Disadvantages: Preconceptions will mean that some people miss out. Ignore them.
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
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