The Libertines

Description

Rocknroll 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? Thats the problem the Libertines eponymous second LP faced and while it sometimes struggles to live up to the magic of its predecessor, 2002s Up the Bracket, its still peppered with enough inspiration to explain why people still care about this band. Co-frontmen Carl Barat and Pete Doherty tackle their problems head on with the opening Cant Stand Me Now, an anthemic, harmonica-accompanied number with echoes of the Cures Lovecats, that sees Barat sum up The Libertines troubled history in the albums most quotable line: The boy kicked out at the world/ The world kicked back a lot f***ing harder. Further rollicking numbers include the Barat-sung Narcissist and knockabout closer What Became of the Likely Lads? as well as the hoarse, off-key Dont Be Shy which features Doherty at the helm.