The Libertines

Description

The LibertinesThe LibertinesOn Vinyl LP

Rock’n’roll can pretty much burn off pure mythology alone, but what happens when the soap opera of drug abuse and broken friendships threatens to overwhelm the music? That’s the problem theLibertines‘ eponymous second LPfaced and while it sometimes struggles to live up to the magic of its predecessor, 2002’sUp the Bracket,it’s still peppered with enough inspiration to explain why people still care about this band. Co-frontmenCarl BaratandPete Dohertytackle their problems head on with the opening “Can’t Stand Me Now,” an anthemic, harmonica-accompanied number with echoes of the Cure’s “Lovecats,” that sees Barat sum upThe Libertines‘ troubled history in the album’s most quotable line: “The boy kicked out at the world/ The world kicked back a lot f***ing harder.” Further rollickingnumbers include the Barat-sung “Narcissist” and knockabout closer “What Became of the Likely Lads?” as well as the hoarse, off-key “Don’t Be Shy”whichfeaturesDoherty at the helm.

The LibertinesThe LibertinesTrack Listing

1. Can’t Stand Me Now
2. Last Post On The Bugle
3. Don’t Be Shy
4. The Man Who Would Be King
5. Music When The Lights Go Out
6. Narcissist
7. The Ha Ha Wall
8. Arbeit Macht Frei
9. Campaign Of Hate
10. What Katie Did
11. Tomblands
12. The Saga
13. Road To Ruin
14. What Became Of The Likely Lads