Reviews (page 5 of 7)
Felt pretty standard 7/10
Listened to it over the course of the day so I probably didn’t get the best sense of the album as a whole. Individual tracks were pretty alright, very characteristic of the style but not super my vibe. 6/10
6/10 - Overall pretty decent. Not fantastic but some good songs. I like what Katie Did and can see why its the most popular other than the first song.
It’s British rock, they played music, it was fine 6/10
Eh 5/10
Leuk bandje, beetje Engelse punk-rock-achtig. Klinkt een beetje onprofessioneel, maar dat heeft juist wel iets en het blijft altijjd goed om aan te horen. ***
Sounds like your typical indie-pop-punk fair from the time. It's fun, but not anything incredible.
Þetta indí rokk eldist betur en ég átti von á. Fíla þetta s.s. betur núna en þá!
Hörte sich sehr britpoppig an. Anklänge an Punk. Kann man mal hören.
Good
Loved it
frankly boring and flavorless
I have some sort of prejudice against The Libertines, and I'm not sure where it comes from. I like plenty of bands that sound like a shambles. I dig plenty of singers who sound like they can't really sing. I love plenty of bands whose media presence is more drug abuse than music. Still, this album leaves me pretty cold. Doesn't actively piss me off, so it avoids a 2 star rating, but still. 😒 Fave track - "Arbeit Macht Frei" maybe.
Another English rock group, just what we needed! I really liked the first song and the rest were enjoyable but didn’t stick with me. Another middle of the road album.
Another decent album, it's an artist I've never heard of (not going to look it up, but I'll bet they're British). Listening to this, I was reminded of some more modern alternative type bands, like Fall Out Boy or Arctic Monkeys. I think I'd rather see this replaced with something from them, like FOB's albums from 2003 and 2005 would both be worthy of an inclusion in my mind. This one's a little heavy on "la la la's" in a few places too, which is funny. Not a bad album at all, but pretty forgettable. Favorite tracks: Last Post on the Bugle, The Saga, What Became of the Likely Lads. Album art: Couple o' emo boys, comparing tats or something. Looks like a weird night out. 3/5
Gillade delar av det här mot förmodan! Stark 3
13 in een dozijn indie muziek, niet slecht, niet bijzonder.
3-4
So close to being 4 stars to me. Nice hooks in many of the songs but all too brief. Looking forward to hearing more of their music.
UK punk and UK rock feel so overrepresented on this list. The Libertines was one of the better albums in the genre I've listened to on this list. It's just a shame that I've listened to pretty much this same album about 40 times by now.
Got some high points on here, but it's a crowded time & genre space, and I'm putting them below Arctic Monkeys, who I'm already not super big on
Fun band
3.3 - It's the equivalent of "We don't serve Coke, is Pepsi OK?" where Coke is "Is This It", and Pepsi is this album.
It’s alright
another white band...
Fun to listen to would listen again.
cool! generally good and a nice album for my run
Sounds very similar to The Strokes and other early 2000's indie/garage rock. Album is just ok; not a lot of memorable songs.
Interesting backstory with this album (thank you, Wikipedia!). Good music, too. I like the blending of influences and styles here. Cool rhythms, too -- tight and catchy.
I came into this prepared to dislike this album, but it was a lot of fun. Full of shambolic garage rocking energy, but with plenty of melodic hooks as well. The vocals get pretty rough though. They're what keep some very good songs from being great songs. Fave Songs: Music When the Lights Go Out, The Man Who Would Be King, Campaign of Hate, What Became of the Likely Lads, Road to Ruin
Interesting album. Grunge feel with some acoustic mixed it. Didn't mine the songs by themselves but probably don't care to listen to this album again all the way through. Reminds me of a worse Strokes so I'd rather just listen to the Strokes
Pretty solid album that was made better by reading the story behind it. Not much else to say except I was expecting some crap punk and I'm happy it wasn't that. What Katie Did was a standout.
This album was a shame because I really liked the instrumentals, but that singer had less energy and enthusiasm than a baked potato.
Some British ass sounding alt punk. Not really my jam but I’ve been surprised before. Last Post on the Bugle sounds like old Arctic Monkeys but much worse. The last minute of the Ha Ha Wall was pretty great. Arctic Monkeys but worse. Soft ass 3
It’s not awful; it’s not terribly memorable. This album sounds mostly like an indie band trying to be the Beatles without realizing they’re trying to be the Beatles. There are some new wave and psychedelic influences here, but the Beatles influence is so pronounced that it almost feels like a parody. It’s honestly not a bad album though, even if it sounds very similar throughout.
In this country the Libertines are most famous for the tumultuous personal life of their frontman Pete Doherty (though googling shows he’s gotten sober in recent years). This record reflects that chaos, its tracks charmingly ramshackle.
Also meh.
Pretty good
💖 the saga 🗣️ 7️⃣
Meh
Pretty standard indie rock album, very of it's time. It's pretty good, although it is very rough around the edges at moments. Still a fun listen, definitely one I can see growing on me
Surprisingly good.
Four songs liked. Redundant beat.
is fine, some bangers
"The Libertines" is the second studio album by English rock band the Libertines. Garage rock and indie rock are the listed genres although they seem to sneak into many other genres at times. The album's main theme revolves around the actual relationship between bandleaders, vocalists and guitarists' Pete Doherty and Carl Barât. Doherty had serious drug issues and prior to the recording of this album spent six months in jail for breaking into and robbing Barât"s flat. Commercially, this album hit #1 in the UK (#111 in the US). Their first single "Can't Stand Me Know" opens the album. Dual guitars keeping the melody. A cowbell. Dual lead singers. The song starts slow and picks up the pace. A catchy song. It's about the Doherty-Barât relationship. Pounding drums strat "Last Post on the Bugle." That similar high-pitched guitar. This one talks about Doherty's breaking into Barât's apartment. The band takes "The Man Who Woul Be King" in a bluesy way, both the Bo Diddley beat and riff. This song speeds it up. "Music When the Lights Go Out" layers acoustic and electric guitars. This pretty much classifies as a punk ballad. "What Katie Did" moves in a pop direction. Doo-wop sounds and lyrics. Nice melody. "What Became of the Likely Lads" closes the album. Sloppy guitars . A clicky- clock beat. It's poppy and upbeat musically even though it appears to be about Doherty's actions blowing it for the band. Overall, this is a decent album. Melodic, catchy, poppy, low-fi and sloppy. They slide into punk, rockabilly and blues as well as garage rock. I do appreciate the self-deprecation and honesty of Pete Doherty in the lyrics. There are enough good songs to recommend this album but I believe I like their debut album better (it's been awhile since I listened to that).
Not a Britpop album, can hear the influences (in drumming style for example) of the Clash, as well as the Kinks in the vocals/guitars. However do think this is a very similar sound to the Strokes and is done probably slightly less well. 3.5
They were too hip and wanky for me when they were God's Gift - listening now, some decent grooves and guitar work, but they are just as one of the better comments states - Landfill Indie. Plenty of other bands doing this without burning their trackmarks with silk cut
Uk garage rock revival. Not a fan of those scratchy guitar and ropey songs. Lots of UK hype for the druggy antics. Meh ...Thank God the Arctic Monkeys came along soon after.
Ok. No great not bad a 2.5
Really good early 2000s style, but Arctic Monkeys would do this exact same thing 2 years later and it would be a lot better. Brownie points for doing it first
Thoughts before listening: Fun British power pop style alt rock. I got into these guys a little in the 00s. I'm interested to see how much I remember. Review: Yeah, this is pretty good. Really catchy and melodic alt rock thats not life changing, but certainly makes for a fun listen. There is a lot of British 90s/00s bands on the 1,001 list, and I think I can safely say I prefer these guys to much of what has been included. The closest comparisons are probably Blur who came just before them and the Arctic Monkeys who came just after, and I think I prefer the Libertines' sound to either of those bands. I know that I owned a Libertines album back in the day, but it seems that it must have been their 2007 greatest hits release. Its strange that a band with only 2 albums would have put out a greatest hits comp, but perhaps it was an attempt to break into the US market since they never really blew up over here like they did in the UK. Or maybe since they imploded so quickly, largely due to Pete Doherty's sobriety and legal issues, their label just needed a new way to repackage their limited catalog. Either way, my recollection of the Libertines is a strong one because I was only hearing their best. The hits are "Can't Stand Me Now", "What Katie Did", and "What Became of the Likely Lads". All very good songs that are getting added to the playlist. I have also enjoyed some of the deeper cuts like "Music When the Lights Go Out", "The Man Who Would be King", "The Saga", and "Road to Ruin". There are some weaker, throwaway tracks on here but overall this is a nice snapshot of 00s era British indie rock. I'm giving this 3 stars.
Interesting stuff. Will revisit.
Good youthful energy, but very loose, even sloppy, musicianship. Can't stand me now is the best song. Has a Clash feel and I just found out that Mick Jones produced it, so there you go. Similar energy, but nowhere near the same instrumentation or songwriting level as The Clash.
I enjoyed this one, but it kinda of came and went. Not much to stick with me.
Parhaat biisit ekana ja vikana, Can’t stand me now on hyvää aikansa (ja oikeastaan edelläkävijä-!) indietä. Sen ja levyn alkupuoliskon perusteella Libertines olisi voinut olla Arctic monkeys. B-puoli näyttää, miksi ei ollut: räkäisestä siirrytään liian poppiin. Voisi olla monipuolisempaa, siihen pyrkii kikkailullaan, mutta jää monotoniseksi
The cover looks gay. The music is pretty good. Instantly forgettable, yes, but it's a good thing, makes you forget the bad parts (if they were there. I listened twice and still don't remember anything)
album absolument iconique tiré vers le bas par la personnalité crasse de Pete Doherty. ils ont révolutionné pop punk britannique dans lequel se sont engouffrés les kooks arctic monkeys et autres. Souvent imités, depuis longtemps surpassés.
Enjoyable and forgettable at the same time
Y'know, I worry that the bias that everything from 20 years ago sounds kind of crummy, with regards to this list. It's also possible I just wasn't super into what was mainstream (boy, what a terrible sentence). This? This is fine. Feels like it carved the way for Arctic Monkeys. It definitely keeps the energy up, but I think that works against it in certain spots, because it can be hard to focus on a track-by-track basis when you're just getting hit by similar sounding track after similar sounding track. It's fine, but probably won't inherit any space in my brain. Favorite track: "The Man Who Would Be King"
Sounds like a Beatles and Clash collaboration that wasn't very good. It's not horrible but for the mid 2000s this was considered great.
I kind of like this record, but it could be… more.
Just found this boring. I liked the bands they are trying to be better.
some decent early 00s brit pop-rock
Guitars, poor life choices and a good supply of drugs is a heady mix. And this is what you get - some real sparkle with the opening track, lots of Clash smells throughout the album and a mellow acoustic closer. It's not a great album though - loose and lazy in the middle. Guitar interplay is fun and there is still a lot to like, but it's no classic.
Two interesting songs but most not very memorable.
This was ok.
S’okay!
ok stuff
The first couple of songs were excellent punk rockers showcasing a very tight band. Sadly this wasn't maintained and I found some of the vocals a bit of putting
A couple of enjoyable songs but mostly meh. Nice to see that they are trying to keep the hidden track alive, just not sure it works on Spotify. Did like the canvas though
Some really good songs here that attempt to peer into the swirling mess of the human soul. Mainly though its a little lacklustre probably better as an EP
Not quite living up to it's iconic status, more like reheated punk & indie leftovers with a few more spicy bits sprinkled on
Oh, those silly boys.
Decent jangly English pop rock
Oughties British punks have nothing particular to add to the sound of the eighties; Doesn't surprise, only in that I failed to actively dislike. The closing acoustic chords suggest happy robbing from Britpop, more melody less drive. Best listened to out of time, I'm sure.
Cookie cutter indie music from early 2000's. fairly fluffy. not bad
Didn't suck
Enjoyable, but completely forgettable.
I found this album to be nothing particularly special. It was a lovely time capsule of an era of Brit pop renessiance that we grew up through in the early to mid 2000s, but I didn’t know The Libertines then and I don’t really want to continue to know them now. There were a few nice tracks; I liked “What Katie Did,” but overall I just found the music to be very average and nothing particularly groundbreaking. Overrated? Maybe.
Another that I feel I should like more than I do. Honestly prefer the follow up album to this one. 3/5
trebly
The Libertines is just boy band without chaperones dedicated to getting high and slaying ass. The music is sloppy, dirty, intricately normal and fulfills creativity on a basic level. The music is better than most on this list, but extrication of personality from music ruins most all of that.
I recognized the album cover immediately. I know the name The Libertines. I know the name Pete Doherty. But I didn't know their music. At all. Even "Can't Stand Me Now," the first and most popular single, didn't ring a bell. That recognition of all but their music is a reminder of their notoriety. Particularly Doherty's notoriety. I recall Doherty being noteworthy more for his struggles with drug abuse than for his music. The Libertines may have briefly been darlings of the British rock scene, across the pond those tribulations made more of an impact than their songs. So what do The Libertines sound like? A little like every popular British band that came before them. "Can't Stand Me Now" is reminiscent of The Cure, other parts invoke The Beatles, but much of it fits into the post-punk revival of the early 00s. However, The Libertines pale in comparison to The Strokes, The Fratellis, The Vines, The Hives (what's with all the "The" bands?), and others. The middle of "The Libertines" had a some decent tracks, especially "The Ha Ha Wall," but overall the album was more forgettable than the band's drama. After The Libertines took a break, Doherty went on to form Babyshambles. I have no idea if Babyshambles were any better than The Libertines, but I don't think I can bear to listen to a band with such a ridiculous name to find out.
This was … fine. It’s the poor man’s Fratellis. So when i was done I went and listened to Costello Music. That’s a five.
Some brit pop/punk, not bad but not something I’d like to listen to any more than a few times.
grungy
3/5 barely there but no
Midddddd
Good
C'était un album ok
Libertyyyyy
Enjoyable sound profile consistently throughout.
A sublime synthesis of pop influences - Clash and Smiths stand out, but there are some grungy and even a little rockabilly, surf/spaghetti western elements. Catchy tunes, a very uncluttered mix, and solid work by drummer Gary Powell and bassist John Hassall keeping the sound tight and focused. So many good tunes, but "Narcissist", "Arbeit Macht Frei", and "What Katie Did" stand out, along with "Can't Stand Me Now" and "What Became of the Likely Lads".
Decent but not memorable or anything
Had its moments, but don't need to revisit them.
What if the Kinks, but the Cars? That’s not fair. This is good stuff. Still… maybe Violet Femmes lived next door?
Yes, I can understand why many people feel this is overrated. The songs are fine, in fact I enjoyed a lot of the songs, but there's nothing really original or groundbreaking with their sound. With all the hype surrounding this album, I was expecting worse, so my expectations weren't high and for the most part it doesn't live up to the hype. Still it's a decent album worth hearing, but don't worry if you don't hear it before you die..
Didn't make it through the whole album, ran out of time yesterday. It seemed fine, pretty neutral about what I heard.
this was a pleasant surprise! I thought i'd dug to the bottom of the early 2000's alt rock well, but somehow these dudes were not on my radar! I really dig the sound they were putting together. it's got the all the feel of early 00's alt rock while firmly rooted with old brit punk. the album itself felt a little front loaded to me, but they get bonus points since the band's story is riddled with rock'n'roll shenanigans. mysterious and vague love affairs, interpersonal conflict, loads of drugs.. it's all there!
I didn’t expect to like this, but it was much better than I thought!
Pretty fun overall, I feel like it's a pretty clear 3.5 to me. Good, not great. I like the story of the band though. Album is probably better if you imagine them getting into fist fights and then passionately kissing right afterwards. 🤷
A generous 3 star review. Remember thinking at the time they were quite clever writers but this has aged badly.
It’s alright,can’t stand me now is pretty good but the rest is just fine brit rock.Bot really inspiring or cool sounding.
Rock suave sin complicaciones. Un tanto guitarrero, pero sin destacar especialmente.
Heard it before?: Yes Enjoy it?: Yeah it’s a classic this one! Favourite song: Track 1 - Can’t Stand Me Now
I would have loved this album was I was 14.
The musical equivalent of the word 'meh'.
Not bad, too long.
All right
Yeah, it's fine.
Yeah, fine.
Die Pete Doherty kan natuurlijk helemaal niet zingen. Verder best vrolijk en energiek.
Globalement bien conçu. Pas tellement mon style, mais je peux admettre qu'il y a un soucis de qualité. Je ne risque pas d'y retourner, mais je ne suis pas fâché contre non plus. 7/10
Kinda like a supergrass meets Morrissey band.
Not half bad, actually, kind of Living End meets Britpop. I'd never heard Pete Doherty's stuff and my estimation has risen slightly.
It just felt... sloppy. And not in a good way. The singer didn't seem to be really with it, he was kind of all over the place. I guess that was what he was going for, but it was just not impressive. You either go all the way, like Johnny Rotten did in the Sex Pistols, or you just sound drunk. The acoustic bit in the hidden track was nice, though. Remember those? Hidden tracks. They were always cool. So yeah, nothing overly impressive here. Reminded me a bit of Jet and "Are You Gonna Be My Girl?" but with less chops. Not memorable. Next.
Very British-sounding garage rock. I don't mind it but it's hard to distinguish it from other garage rock bands of that era. Two frontmen who share guitar and vocal duties. Ok fine, but not in some kind of Lennon & McCartney way - feels more mashed-up. I think I knew the song Can't Stand Me Now coming in and it's my favorite. Most polished beat? Most synergetic between the two frontmen? What Katie Did might be the only other song where I stopped and paid attention for a few seconds. Maybe Campaign of Hate or What Became of the Likely Lads too. Feels perfectly average.
Pretty good, I liked some songs more than others a lot more though.
This scene kinda passed me by, and is not necessarily my thing, but this ain’t bad.
I really liked this album when it came out. Haven't listed to it for a long time. I was a little disappointed that it didn't stand up as well now as I had hoped it would.
OK I guess. Completely forgettable though.
Indie rock. Ni fu ni fa.
People say it’s overrated. First time I’ve heard it. So, good to me. I liked it.
Unremarkable indie rock 2.5
Rock indie
Terug - weer zo iets dat niet direct mijn meug is, beetje overrated
Weinig speciaals aan dit indie-plaatje
J'avais déjà écouté à l'époque et je le trouve un peu ennuyeux.
"Don't Be Shy" especially sounds very Clash. Sounds like a Clash-inspired post-punk band from 2004. That could be unfair, but I'm not sure why this is on the list. Maybe this band was really inspirational or popular in the UK. Seems good, maybe it'd grow on me but doesn't seem very remarkable.
Pretty good mid-00s indie rock album.
There is something about this album (mostly the vocals) that is so lazy, uninspired, and bland. Despite there being some good songs like Music When the Lights Go Out, The Ha Ha Wall, and What Katie Did, the Brits were right when they collectively decided it was overrated.
Interesting "punkish" garage band rock.
3/5. Not too bad.
Not bad. Not great.
its just okay
As far as early 2000s British Indie Rock goes, I'd have to say I prefer this to almost everything else that was going on at that time. Has a nice and loose feel to it that makes it more relatable than a lot of the over produced things that were in fashion at the time. Goes down easy like a pint of lager.
Indie-rock-that-you'd-maybe-go-see-live-if-it-was-free-and-you'd-have-a-good-time-but-that's-about-it-music
It's OK. Had to put aside the anti-celebrity bias. Probably would have enjoyed it more in my 20s, which was in the 90s.
Ik ben 10 keer van mening verandert tijdens dit album. Na de eerste track dacht ik nou wel zin in een dumpster fire maar het eindigde in een op zich oké. Hier en daar wel echt random instrumenten of vals gezongen tussendoor maar dat geeft het ook z’n charme, i guess. Ik licht ‘The Man Who Would Be King’ uit, waarschijnlijk het meest voor het album sprekende nummer. Rare vocale erop maar een ‘mysterieuze’ instrumental die je er toch mee in sleept. Het is cringey maar leuk tegelijkertijd, en ik voel me ergens vies dat ik het wel leuk vind. 3 sterren, maar dat kunnen er morgen weer 2 zijn. Of 4
I love indie rock, but this is mid as heck. Which means that it's not that good but it made me happy listening to it anyway.
What a fun-loving group of lads. They’re trying very hard to sound like the Kinks and I find that charming. I have a soft spot for bands like this. I used to listen to the Kooks a bunch in college and they have a very similar sound to the Libertines: blatant worship of British bands from the 60’s, English drawl front and center in the vocals, punk guitars and pop hooks.
I love the singers voice. It's like a more intimate and less saturated Julian Casablancas. I know there's other bands that they are trying to sound like but I can't think of their names but I do like the sound. There's some inconsistencies in the production that are a little annoying for me. The third song, "Don't Be Shy" sounds like a well-recorded demo that has had minimal mixing and mastering and actual production done to it, and yet it is surrounded by songs that sound much more refined. Overall I thought it was pretty good. Not a super standout though.
J'avoue que j'ai bien aimé, mais quelle drôle d'idée de représenter le punk des années 2000 par ce groupe inconnu alors que des tas de groupes légendaires sont passés à travers les mailles du fillet Roberesque.
Libertines! Finally hear their music, only heard the 1st Babyshambles album, with Peter Doherty. His voice is main attraction for me of this album, once saw Peter Doherty solo live and was memorable. Songs on the Libertines album from modest to really nice (like The Saga, Sex Pistols meets Arctic Moneys).
The singer sounds very much like Ray Davies, but his range is limited. Don't Be Shy is a good example of that. Music is good, and sounds just like other bands from the aughts.
Solid, though not as consistent and melodic as either Oasis or Arctic Monkeys. In addition to Ha Ha Wall, I liked Last Post and the Man Who Would Be King. I like the style and tone, just not enough to want to come back and relisten.
3.5 stars. Decent garage rock indie. Nothing extraordinary but it was a fine listen. Simple musically, duo vocals are good not great. Occasional fun guitaring.
A pretty fun, 3.5 star rock album. Doesn't stand out to me among the many other albums of the time that sounded quite similar, but it's well done. I'm gonna knock it back down to 3 just out of principle, because it's been a day since I listened and it's already wiped from my mind.
Qué yonkies y qué desastre, canciones buenas pero en general no iban a ningún lado. "Can't stand me now", "What Katie did" y algunas cosas más. Bien, le voy a dar un 3 aunque habrá gente que con el tiempo se pregunte por qué estaba este disco en una lista de 1001 imprescindibles.
OK. Some tracks that have stood the test of time, but sounded a bit cliched in places.
I've had a long, odd, unhealthy obsession w Kate Moss & somehow this album became nothing but an extension of that.
Good and raucous.
Worth more listens
The music is fine, the singing doesn't so anything for me, the attitude is fairly obnoxious.
5/10. Not bad by any means, but I can see why it's considered overrated
Why? 5/10
Unbelievably, for how ubiquitous this was when I was living in London, I've never actually heard this record. First couple of tracks were cool but it's all a bit samey same.
As background music it has some good hooks. I liked it more than the average British indie band on the 1001. The 3 rating covers a lot of ground.
My first thought was that this is a good example of a band that should have been yanked from the 1001 list instead of The Killers or Franz Ferdinand, especially reading that they were voted the third-most overrated album ever made in a 2005 BBC public poll. Musically though, simplistic as they are, the song writing is varied enough to keep it interesting and the singer can sing. This would have been a great release in 1978 and it would have been ignored less than it was in 2004.
Eh. Like every other mid 90s alt wave band.
I know you shouldn't judge an album by its cover but man, this sure looks like something I won't enjoy. Actually, a little better than I expected. Sounds good and lyrically is somewhat interesting. But nothing about it is groundbreaking or genre defining. I didn't mind listening all the way through the album but I probably won't revisit it on purpose and I don't particularly think it deserves a spot on this list. Fave songs: What Katie Did, What Became of the Likely Lads. 2.5 rounding up for not being too boring.
Kinda good, I guess. Never heard of them. Couple good tracks. I'd probably listen to this again in the future. 3/5
Interesting álbum mes most of it but some ones are incredible
Uninspiring music. Reading up about this Doherty character: what a wanker. The band should’ve been called the Liberpeens and the album doesn’t deserve its success.
Another v British one
2.5/5. There’s some solid moments to be found here. I liked the intro track “can’t stand me now” as well as the doo-wop-ish “What Katie did.” But most of the album is just pretty forgettable garage rock revival stuff with some hints of the Clash mixed in.
had to skip a lot of songs, but i did kinda like some. - 'what katie did' i do really like
Insubstantial. But inoffensive. 2.5?
So bad
If you don’t care about singing in tune I would rather you talk sing or yell sing (not growl please) than sing off key to the point of making me wince. Also these lyrics were not clever.
They say you should never judge a book by its cover, but does the same apply for albums? Never having heard of this band before, the first impression was an eyeroll so hard that a headache ensued. And perhaps a bit of kudos is due here, because if ever there was an album that SOUNDED like its cover, it's this one. Because it turns out that in 2004, what the world really needed was a couple more pouty, whiny, overexposed junkies with derivitive lyrics, recycled riffs, and not a lot to say. Too harsh? Maybe. The riffs they borrow and the sounds they derive from aren't the worst, and they do blend a Stray Cats rockabilly with their post-punk sound well enough to appeal to a British market saturated with the latter, just not well enough to call me back for another listen. So I'll settle on a grudging 2/5 that's still a far cry better than Morrissey.
A little amelodic & twangy pre-millennium British rock—just kind of “eh”.
Meh also
Just not very enjoyable unfortunately
The opening drums sounded like a scene transition filler on a Nickelodeon show lol. Was expecting a laugh track. Rest of the album just not my vibe
My expectations for this were absolutely rock-bottom, so although this is just some garage band indie Britpop, I was pleasantly surprised. It does sound like this has mainly been written and performed in order to get the musicians laid, and in that respect I guess it is a spectacular success. For me, though, all I can say is that I did not hate it.
Alternative rock. Was okay.
Had to listen in multiple parts because I really don’t like this kind of music. Like instrumental fun and all but nothing special at all. I can’t do the vocals (similar theme with past few I’ve reviewed). Favorite: can’t stand me now
No clue! I’m reading that the album is about the relationship between the two frontmen, and my immediate thought was a giddy “gay?!” (and they were roommates). Doubtful but will investigate. v good nostalgic time capsule of a cover. I’m becoming truly immune to the somewhat indistinguishable British indie rock which is a function of this list, not my otherwise love for British anything or indie rock anything
deeply meh. I almost want to skip some of these because I just don't have feelings about them but instead I rate them 2 stars if I can abide them or 1 if I can't. This is 2 stars
NME darlings of questionable talent. The out of tune guitar soon starts to grate. Mercifully short.
This just did nothing for me. Not a 1 because I didn't actively dislike it, but didn't grab me in any way, just felt very boring, like if you sucked all the fun out of an Arctic Monkeys album
This was fine. Checks all the boxes for 00's garage rock, but doesn't offer anything that really grabs you. I'll forget this album by the end of the day.
eh kind of meh british rock n roll? Part buzzcocks, kind of kinks-ish, oasis style modern production, overall meh meh meh
A bit too long and no tracks particularly stand out
Can’t stand me now is great obviously, there are a couple of other okay tracks but, as expected, I remain unimpressed.
Oh great. A British alternative band with a singer doing a crappy Morrissey impression. Hard pass.
Can't Stand Me Now : esta buena, pense que no me iba a gusatr pero me copo dentro de todo.igual no lo escucharia. Last Post on the Bugle: se me paso volando nime di cuenta que sono, creo que es bueno eso Don't Be Shy: Me gusto tambien sorpresivamente. The Man Who Would Be King: tambien me gusto che, pero no la escucharia dia a dia, como dije antes. Music When the Lights Go Out: bien Narcissist: muy pegadizo el ritmo, mal. me gusto tambien. The Ha Ha Wall: bien Arbeit Macht Frei: esta es medio taladrante, pero no esta mal Campaign of Hate: lo mismo que la anterior What Katie Did: esta buena, bastante chill para lo que es este album. una parte del final no me gusto tanto, pero despues levanto para bien Tomblands: me gusta, normal The Saga: me estaba gustando pero me taladro, muy potente. Road to Ruin: tranqui no se si me copo tanto What Became of the Likely Lads: meh en conlcusion, me sorpendio por parte, pirque pense que lo iba a detestar, y no paso. la mayoria de canciones me parecio que estaban bien, pero hatsa ahi, no las escucharia para nada la verdad.
Forgettable
British garage rock is not my thing. I like the garage rock sound generally speaking, and certainly American bands that do it well, but I just found this boring.
When The Libertines first came out, I didn't really get them. Self consciously sloppy playing, an obsession with an england that didn't exist, and a following more interested in drama and drugs than playing. Looking back, I think all that stands, but at least I can see why they appealed to some. Personally though, i'm still not a fan. There's the odd bit of decent prose and some energy, but the wasted mumbling and lyrics about 'white boys talking like they're black' just make me roll my eyes. Even for them, surely the first album is the important one, not this? Navel gazing self obsessed wankery. Only gets a 2 because there's at least a bit of variety.
Interesting in places musically but otherwise the album doesn't do much for me. Might revisit or play the odd track randomly to see if it hits different next time but for now, a 2...
Uninspiring stuff. Won’t go back to this.
This list is making me hate British rock of all kinds, and that feels unfair. I cant fathom why this needed an entry on this list outside of a personal validation by the author. Thing is, its not really bad or anything, but it sounds like most of the other indie stuff we've had from the UK which boggles my mind, I figure if you're going the route of alternative music then why make yourself sound so similar to others around you? Cant Stand Me Now actually had me bopping along a bit, but by the time Dont Be Shy started I was annoyed and over it.
One look at the cover told me everything I needed to know about this waste of a list spot. Completely forgettable and only on here because of the authors bias. This list needs a colossal overhaul because the amount of dreadful British trash is inexcusable and would keep me from recommending this challenge to anyone
This list really loves mid-aughts Indie Rock...wish I did. So is Libertine like French for "dirtbag" or something?
standard punk type album. Not better nor worse than most. An ok album that I would listen to if someone else put it on but would not request it myself
You know what, I listened to this album in the background while cleaning my living room with my partner. We had a good time listening to something that came out in our lifetime. In stark contrast to the last punk album we listened to, this one was More Varied, but still had a lot of the same milieu throughout. I dont see myself really going back to this album, but I actually didnt hate any of the listening experience. No individual song grading mean this is a total gut check of a rating. Sorry.
Yeah this has some ok aspects but drags and is meh overall.
Points for nostalgia but its not aged well
I thought this was better when I was younger
Absolutely cannot get into this dudes vocals. There’s some interesting instrumentals that almost sound a little off-key, your mileage may vary with those aspects of the album. Yeah not feeling it.
Shit arm, bad tattoo.
Heard it before. The Libertines is one of those early 00s British bands I never really got. Maybe they did live that rock n roll life but they're a bit insufferable to me. Awful vocals too. Don't Be Shy should be renamed to Don't Be Shite 2/5
Did not enjoy it and found it very 'meh'. Shame as I saw they were inspired by some band (e.g. The Clash) which I really enjoy.
I think the polite term for this is, "They wear their influences on their sleeves?" Their influences are interesting and varied. Actually, I think I might go listen to some of those influences now.
ok pero dios que repetitivo podes dormirte la siesta
didn't care for this at all, even though they seem similar to Arctic Monkeys.
Pete Doherty?! “The Duke of Dorchester”?!? Well just like the Duke, this is not very good but has some charm.
ssnnnzzzz...
This is a remarkably dull album, and greatly overrated. Not actively offensive though.
I would have enjoyed the liberty not to listen to this album, but here we are.
Generic garage rock revival that failed to be catchy and dynamic...
I can’t place my finger on why I didn’t at least enjoy this album, it’s got nice production and fills a nice position on the list.
This album has a vocialist that sounds like he was out of the post-punk scene of the 80s, but with the indie rock scene of the 00s. The first song was actually not bad at all, but the rest were a massive put down. Just boring, overrated and nothing to write home about.
First song says it all, can't stand him.
I had never heard them before. I dig and will definitely be checking out more.
Aggressively indie.
1.5
Unfortunately I cant take his voice serious
Another average overhyped brit rock band. Has a few good moments that show what AM would do later and much better, but other than that it is very forgettable.
sure, fine. i got stuck in traffic for an extra 20 mins this morning and then couldn't find parking so the album looped back around to the beginning just as I was about to turn my car off. brilliant timing. did not feel like a necessary inclusion on the list. 2.5
it all sounds... gritty and distracting
This is a PERFECT example of the brit pop stuff that a lot of people really like, that I just can't get into. But looks like I'm not alone, as three of their albums were top 5 albums in British, and NONE even cracked the top 100 in America. The vocals are BORING and I can't stand brit pop locals. The guitar was so repetitive. The drums and bass were ok, nothing special. None of the songs were catchy.
What's the point? Their albums are just a pretext for the obsessive press coverage of the most boring drama imaginable. Generic even in 2004, rote indie sounds and postures, some decent guitars and big drums, but no imagination and way too much of that whinging singing English guys thinks is charismatic.
This isn't really to my taste.
When this came out, i was into brit pop rock stuff but never got all the fuzz around pete. Two decades later it is the same. There are some really catchy tunes on this album, but i just dont enjoy their vocals.
the same people trying to make a different type of music might well work for me; this does not
this has not aged well, only 2 good songs
Derivative brit alt pop rock. Gets very boring and I likely won’t listen again.
Overrated, you say? Wholeheartedly agree.
MIIIDD
Brit rock with some twists? Interesting backstory between the two frontmen in love. I liked What Became Of The Likely Lads, What Katie Did and Arbeit Macht Frei The entire time this album played, I was thinking about how cool the arctic monkeys and the kinks were. This felt like a weird synthesis of the two. 2.5 stars.
What to say about The Libertines that does not involve excited fans on LiveJournal waxing lyrically about the complex relationship between Carl Barat & Pete Doherty? How to respond without remembering the UK press calling Pete Doherty the new William Blake, Percy Shelley and William Wordsworth? All to say: the hype was louder than the music ever was. This is legit the first time I listened to an entire Libertines album rather than select singles. Verdict: better than expected. The album is very of its time. Lyrics like "polka dots fill my eyes" is painfully 2004. The scrambling guitars ditto. The energy is there, the attitude is there, and the intensity between Barat & Doherty fuels the whole thing (maybe the LiveJournal girls were on to something). But this is an album that leaves no trace on you. It is capable, competent and even likeable. But I did not remember a single song 30 minutes later. I was tempted to give this a low three but I subtract one star as Pete Doherty has been adjacent to accidental overdoses (plural) and I somehow get a pretty bad vibe off him.
It's forgettable. It's got the jangly guitars of a standard "indie" band, the whining prose of a standard brit pop band, and feels like they wanted to be edgier but someone during the making said no. It's kinda catchy at times, but then so is the measles.
Favorite track(s): Another victim of the time and place that birthed this list, a desperate hope that kids in Britain would revive rock music in the early 2000s. You figure out for yourself how that went.
Meh carino eh ma mezzobugual agli arctic
When I was a bit younger and The Libertines were in their heyday, you heard more about Doherty's escapades than their actual music. Maybe that was more interesting. Yeah, sure, this is some indie rock that doesn't really hurt or annoy you, but I don't see anything special. It doesn't need to be on this list.
Eh. It's not awful but it's still British garbage. As usual, the instruments are pretty good but the vocals are awful. 4.25/10 (2.125/5)
If I could give this negative stars I would
Either there aren't actually 1001 albums that I need to hear before I die, or this list's confusion of mediocrity for greatness is muddying the waters. Because, really, what was great about this? Don't confuse that with me saying it's bad-- it's not, at least not generally speaking. Instead, it's bland and boringly fine. As someone who grew up listening to music from this era and similar genres, there is nothing about this album that stands out. If you compiled all of the indie/garage rock albums released in the early 2000s and boiled them down into one generic glob, the result would probably sound a lot like this album. Listening to it made me think that I should be listening to Arctic Monkeys. Or the White Stripes. Or the Strokes. Not all of their output was great, but I feel like it was at least more memorable and meaningful than this album every came close to being. Importantly, they stood out from everything else going on. Unlike this record, which seems content with blending in with the rest. Again, this sounds harsh for an album that I really didn't think was bad. It's more about the list composition than the Libertines, as I'm 250+ albums in now and the quality disparities are getting more obvious. But this one was OK at best. I'd have been fine not hearing it before I die. Overall: 2.4/5
Årets første album. Igjen et band jeg ikke har tidligere kjennskap til. Sjangeren garage rock revival. På grensen til popmusikk, spør du meg. Søte melodier med jangle (som jeg er svak for). Litt for tynn kvalitet som helhet. Top 3: Can’t Stand Me Now, Music When The Lights Go Out, The Ha Ha Wall
Punk pop with a touch of glam. It's fine but not standout special. Nothing I would put on a playlist except maybe the last track.
I don’t know who this is or why they are special but I wouldn’t listen to the album again.
Nah not for me - I really struggled to get through it
pete dorethy band
Day 127 Always kind of hated The Libertines, saw it as music for art students from the Home Counties to try and feel a bit edgy. First time listening to this album in 20 years, it’s not quite as terrible as I remember now the hype isn’t around it but I still don’t really understand how they became so massive, basically the kooks on smack. 5/10 Highlights Can’t stand me now The ha ha wall Campaign of hate
wow this record contains some BAD songs
This is a bad example of britpop, of which there are many on this list
Makes me want to yell at those kids in the garage to Pipe Down in there!!!
Thi one is fine, not a huge fan. A few decent tracks, 2 stars
It was forgettable
Unclear why this is on the list. Standard 2000s blah music.
Rock, Punk, 2004 -> 2
Not for me, but I can appreciate what they were going for.
Eh. Boring Brits Blathering 'Bout BS
What the hell is it with this list and insane Britslop?
This genre and era was never really my cup o' tea.
Some self-indulgent music can be forgiven. This is not among that music; I just can’t get into this stuff. The musicians are fine, the vocals are alright, but it’s 90% sizzle and swagger. It feels like I’m being sold something that should be likeable. There are a few good tracks (The Man Who Would Be King & The Saga jump to mind) but otherwise, this is a miss for me.
Can't Stand Me Now What Became of the Likely Lads
I know the name, I think the singer had a bad drug habit and it was a semi-big deal at some point. Never listened to them, don't remember anyone ever bringing them to my attention either. It's ok, kinda flat, a bit generic. They sure aren't breaking new ground. If the lead track, "Can't Stand Me Now", is their one bit hit I'm in for a long 42 minutes. This borders on bad. "Don't Be Shy" sounds like a couple guys laying down tracks in their mom's basement. Same with "The Man Who Would...", "Saga", "The Narcissist", "Ha Ha Song", etc. Is this underproduced or do they just suck? I actually enjoyed "What Katie Did" and it's late 50's vibe. Best track on the album. 2 stars, this did nothing for me other than solidify the reason I never got into them 20 yrs ago.
nah
Holy shit this is the most specific year and tone possible.
A poor effort that I once owned and gave away, despite paying homage (ripping off) a favourite band in the Clash this is thin, poorly produced, badly played and drags on well beyond when it should be put out of its misery. Their careers effectively ended here with any dribbles of creativity already spent revealing much. The only redeeming factor is that some of the songs hold some charm, such as Can't Stand Me Down and Campaign of Hate.
This as my first album is underwhelming, to say the least. Dear God, this feels like almost torture. The music isn't bad, and I actually enjoy British rock, and I can see the playful plucky energy that I'm sure some people really enjoy, but the whole thing feels so self-indulgent (and not in a good way that enjoys itself, but unjustifiably self-aggrandizing). The whole thing feels like it has something to say while prattling on like a teenager that is "so much deeper than kids my age". "Campaign Of Hate" was where I felt this the most, but it trickles through the whole album. "Can't stand me now" had an energy that was really welcoming, but it just dragged by the halfway point of the album and became exhausting by the end. Ironically, I think I liked "What Katie Did" the best (despite it sounding the most radio friendly song on the album, which is rarely my pick for "best' on any album) but it's still nothing I'd go out of my way to listen to again. I've created a playlist for songs from each of these albums that I really want to come back to later for a relisten. It remains empty at this moment. I'm not mad, just disappointed.
You could knock me over the head with a feather, if that feather told me that The Libertines' self-titled album was release in 2004. This album's garage rock comes across as way more post punk, so it sounds straight from the mid-eighties. That aspect alone makes this album come across as unoriginal. Interesting, "What Katie Did" had more of a fifties doo-wop sound that gave this album way more depth than otherwise. And the vocals weren't good.
Mushy emo poppy schlock
Didn't care then. Don't care now.
It didnt get me goin. Not bad like a lot of others but nothing that grabs me. 2.5.
A suitable replacement for this me too band would be Ren.
perfect, i was just thinking that the garage rock revival albums on this list could use a lousy singer with the worst accent on god's green earth (english)
Normally this is my genre, but this just isn't it...
theres way too much disposable indie rock on this list
Not sure I needed to hear this. I dig the energy but the songs aren't very good.
How about piss off? I’ve had it with these fucking mid-2000s British “indie rock staples”, they all sound like a bunch of ‘lads’ fucking about with some instruments they found. I’m convinced that’s all they are, swept up by supposed critics of the day and ushering in an odd mass psychosis where the British public were content with having this sloppy wank marketed as their main musical export. While the US was busy expanding on its 1960s psychedelia with “New Weird America”, we were expanding on, I don’t know, fucking skiffle? This can be summed up simply as Radio 6 music. If you’re not familiar, that’s the radio station that does occasionally play good music, but for at least 75% of the time plays music for middle aged dads who are still pretending they’re still in their prime of life in the 1990s ‘rave scene’. The bloke on the front cover looks too much like Neil Oliver for my liking, in fact the whole cover is just horrible, the track titles are shit, especially fucking Arbeit macht frei, because haha we’re making light of the slogan adorning humanity’s most abhorrent atrocity, and the music itself is just shit. It’s shit! I can’t even see how you’d enjoy this. I thought I’d give it a chance at least, but no. After track three, Jesus Christ, track fucking three. If it wasn’t for the sake of the list I’d laugh and turn it off immediately. Nowhere near as genuinely offensive on the ears as some of its contemporaries, but just so aggressively shit that it doesn’t deserve much recognition over them.
I didn't like his voice so not my favorite
Incredibly generic guitar rock. Not sure why this is on the list.
ok
Only a few songs landed with me.
point4.
Maso
its fine. nothing super noteworthy
Groupe inconnu. J'apprécie assez le son, avec les guitares en stéréo qui jouent des parties différentes. Par contre la basse est plutôt inexistante, et le chant est omniprésent. Les morceaux sont assez dynamiques et entrainants, mais ... il manque quelque chose pour me donner envie d'y revenir : probablement la basse ... qui m'avait vraiment fait apprécier 'Is this it' des Strokes. J'ai fini par m'ennuyer au milieux de l'album. =>2/5
Im on a work trip and been ticking this week's albums off. Just finished the libertines. I'd say it wore thin quite quickly. Worth hanging on for What became of the likely lads at the end though.
I’ve mostly avoided this band because I find Pete Doherty to be a complete tool. Having listened to this, I have no regrets. Can’t Stand Me Now is a brilliant song though and rest of the album suffers horrible by trying to follow it. 2 but only because of the opener.
who likes this
no voihan saatana. en nyt tässä vaiheessa rupee ykkösiä heitteleen ympäriinsä koska muuten ei tule lopussa objekitve 3 tasan mutta ei herranjumala kyllä pistetään hermot piukalle meikällä kärsimys ei ilmeisesti KOSKAAN lakkaa.. tehdään british indie rock albumi ja todistetaan pätevyys heh. english rock lets go.ta, mikään tässä ei erota bändiä massiivisesta indieklöntistä joka ilmeisesti vittu kirosi länsimaalaisen musiikin ikuiseen keskinkertaisuuteen. haista vittu. clickbait motherfuckers.. rock pop indie monsteri.. vittuau,, auhts , miks painetta,, miks päässä painetta.. ai , aijaijai,, aistaaatana.. A tomblands
Sort of interesting
Meh. Reminds me of Arctic Monkeys a bit.
I read that the British press dubbed these guys the “most important band of their generation” pretty quickly after their debut album (this is their second album, for reference.) It sounds like there’s some historical lineage connecting these guys to people who worked with the Beatles, the Clash, Oasis, etc. That lineage seems to have created a hype train that, to my ears, made critics more forgiving to the flaws. This sounds pretty generic. It’s fine, but it doesn’t sound appreciably different or elevated over a couple dozen other bands from that stretch in the 2000s where New York & UK garage punk revival took over rock music. Whenever there’s a wave like that, it can be hard to know in the moment who is going to last and who is going to be a footnote. The Libertines are clearly a footnote, at least on the back of this album.
I liked this band better when they were called The Strokes. Not much here stood out. 2/5
Definitely overrated. Heard their 2024 release before this one, enjoyed it, then listened to this one. Couldn’t believe it was the same band.
I can stomach Britpop, but this indie landfill straight from the UK is far too much. It exists and then ceases to exist once you finish "listening" to it. It simply is.
Why is it that whenever the Wikipedia article says that "This was declared one of the most important British Rock albums of all time" it's always some really generic bullshit that comes off as a total distillation of everything else going on around it while adding nothing new to the conversation? Really makes you think...
The visual is off-putting and the music is fine. 2.4.
I'd never heard of this band but from the name I expected something a bit more. This is all bark and no bite. No edge. Very boring
I feel this album was a little lack luster. Pretty standard brit alt-rock. Why it makes the list, I can't say. Guess it was huge in the UK but I never heard of them. Not bad, not great. Giving it a right done the middle rating...2.5 stars.
I don't mind sloppy music. Sloppiness can make a ramshackle song sound more cathartic; if the energy is coming through, I don't mind if you miss a few notes. But this album is the bad kind of sloppy. As in, it sounds like the two guitarists aren't on the same page about which song they're playing. I do like the rawness and energy in places, but it's often hard to discern any kind of melody because one guitar is kind of trying to play some chords and the other is noodling over in the other channel. I'm not asking for this to be a pop album, but a catchy riff would be nice - even the garagest garage rock usually succeeds because it's catchy. It feels like the band thinks that rawness is enough to carry them despite the weak songwriting. Given that you hear nothing about this band's legacy or influence these days, I think it's clear that's not true.
Best song IMO: "What Katie Did"
No estaría entendiendo la relevancia de éste disco en la lista. Osea no es terrible ni malo te diría, pero salió cuando ya todo eso existía de hacía décadas. Nota: 2.4