The Libertines

At first I was thinking this was nothing more than a Pulp rip off band, but the first half of the album is pretty solid. Definitely one of my favorites from the seemly endless UK indie bands on this list.

Gave it two listens. Can hear a lot of Ramones, Clash, Smiths, and Cure influences. It’s ok, but it wasn’t for me. 3/5

Pop at its most casually engaging. Flashes of brilliance in great rollicking pub-fun rock like it was meant to be.

Surprisingly good. Lots of jangly guitars.

I did like the singles back in the day although not a fan of the band or personnel. This caught me by surprise though- sometimes you just need some breezy tunes on a grey day. There wasn’t one song I didn’t sing or jiggle along to.

The album and aesthetic grew on me as it played, but the affected nonchalance of this band will never be a sound/vibe I'll actively enjoy. It's a little too precious and aloof for my taste. But what started as a 2-something crawled into 3-star territory.

These guys can write decent songs, but Pete has such an outsized personality and rough singing style that he overwhelms and sometimes even ruins the songs. I prefer their debut record, which is an even more ramshackle affair, but there, the messiness is charming, fun, and thrilling. It often sounds like things will crumble, and I'm astonished when it doesn't. This one is never quite a disaster, but their looseness doesn't always work in the songs' favor. 2.5 rounding up because I like how old-school they get.

Do you want to hear what two drunken english lads sounds like while palying okay music? Then this is the album for you.

straight in the middle

Did you know that The Libertines released an album this year? No, me neither. I’ve not heard anything of them since they reformed and released that third album that I didn’t listen to, and that was about 10 years ago. What Became Of The Likely Lads indeed. The Libertines really should be considered the British Strokes, the genuine original scene leaders showing the way for how Rock could exist in the 21st century. Instead that title goes to the Arctic Monkeys, who were not exactly proteges but certainly followers of the initial Libertines playbook. I do think The Libertines should be remembered, but I think what is likely to be best remembered is their first album, and relistening to their self-titled, I can see why. The Libertines is not a bad album at all, and in fact I think it has their best song in Can’t Stand Me Now, but it isn’t as cohesive a whole as Up The Bracket. That’s the problem. And, for a band as intentionally ramshackle and scrappy as The Libertines were (are?) it feels a bit silly to complain that it isn’t as good as their other album, because it’s still fine, it’s pretty good. But when The Libertines legacy becomes inevitably stories of their infighting and the relationship between Doherty and Barât, I won’t be surprised if The Libertines the album gets overlooked somewhat

Music when the lights go out on its own is a clear 5

Don’t be Shy one of the worst things I’ve ever heard

Definitely a fan of '00s Indie Rock (/Pop Punk), so I do like this album. It reminds me of a lot of other bands/albums from the same time though, and doesn't especially strike me as a standout of the genre. Overall an enjoyable listen, but there's nothing to write home about here.

If I were 20 years younger, I'd almost certainly have bought this on release and loved it. As it is, even though I don't hate Doherty like a lot of my friends seem to, I can see it's a game of two halves. There are a few songs I really like (The Man Who Would Be King, What Became of the Likely Lads for example) but a lot that sound more like rehearsals than performances. I assume this is by design, whether theirs or the producers. Ultimately, it's mostly filler.

6/10. It sounds like a generic indie album.

Oikein menevää garagepoppia/rokkia! Ei tämä perusteellisesti ole sen erikoisempaa kun muukaan saman genren musa, mutta hyvin toteutettua matskua! 3/5

Aika geneeriseksi jäävä indie-rock-levy. Alkoi paremmin mut loppupuolella jo kyllästyttää. 2/5

Example of this list being overly obsessed with the UK. It's fine.

starts well but gets tiring

Highly rated Indie album from 2004.

Sounds like a bunch of people intentionally decided to make the most average album possible

el tiene esa voz medio arrastrada de depresivo q no mg mucho. Igual banco. para ciertos días. tiene su groove, es bien yanki pero para okasiones va. Muy vaquero igual

I tried to make myself like this album a few years ago. I am a big fan of indie rock and I do enjoy some garage rock revival, but this is one album I couldn’t get into. I admire the musicianship and I liked two or three of the songs (‘Narcissist’ is good) but overall there’s just something (that I can’t quite pinpoint) that I don’t like about it.

It’s ok. I remember when it came out with all the NME hype but I always felt it lacked something but not sure what

Seems like a solid album in the Franz Ferdinand/Strokes/Hives mold. I wasn't familiar with it before. I don't have a sophisticated opinion, other than to say that it seems decent, but I probably won't seek it out again.

Didn’t hate this quite as much as I remembered. And I hated this a lot. Always had a bit respect for Libertines even though I never liked their music. They certainly didn’t just capture a time and movement, but launched it for a good 4 years or so. This sound was the sound of my college years, and everything they influenced after. Which as good as having positive influence is, the absolute garbage that followed after them is a stain (imo!). Anyway, this record itself does still have that annoying sound for me that really grates me. I cant put my finger on it, but 80% of it comes from the vocals. Hate his voice. Irritating. That said, when he aint singing, I quite liked Last Post on the Bugle, and Campaign of Hate. Although short, Arbeit Macht Frei is probably the best song on this, despite the name. Can hear little hints of Strokes throughout, as well as seeing where Alex Turner got a lot of earlier ideas from. Definitely not for me, but can totally understand why people love this. It’s iconic to say the least.

Never been really into the libertines, I think theyve got a few decent songs here and there but by and large their whole schtick gets on my nerves. I like up the bracket/don't look back into the sun, but these are both on previous albums, the singles on this one are alright but a step down. Almost admire libertines' commitment to in no way changing their sound, either between albums or even songs really. They were definitely influential on a whole host of far worse crap indie bands but I'm not sure that's a positive. This album is fine but wouldn't listen again.

The Man Who Would Be King and Can't Stop Me Now are great. Trailblazing yes. Fascinating, but hard to get into, far too repetitive.

Hugely nostalgic album. Takes me back to first year of uni, had a sticker of this album cover on a folder. Pete Doherty used to fascinate me, still does to be fair.... Recently watched the Louis Theroux documentary about him. Unfortunately missed them live the first time round, but got to see them at Prenton park with the whole Jeremy Corbyn chants a while back. Was great. Anyway, this album is fantastic, I love it. Not as good as up the bracket, which hopefully will be on the list too. Highlights: Can't stand me now Last post on the bugle Music when the lights go out Narcissist What became of the likely lads 4.5, allows room for up the bracket

Yeah, I'm enjoying this a lot more than I thought I would. Infectious, energetic, feels unique, hazy boozy. 3.3? It won't be on regular rotation, but it's a long way from bad. I've realised most of my preferred albums are shorter affairs. 45 mins ish. bishboshbash, done a music, thanks and carry on.

I had a lot of time for the “indie” rock stuff in the early 00’s. This album got a fair bit of play amongst a lot of better ones. Didn’t make me reminisce as I thought it would though. Some decent hooks and pleasant vibes but impossible to separate now from the antics and spectacle rock that the Libs became. If these dudes sat beside me in a pub now I’m more likely to roll my eyes at the needy nonchalance than anything else.

Nog zo'n zeroes album Werd wel iets beter halverwege maar vond t over algemeen niet echt nice

Yet another album that is fine while it's on, but get nothing lasting out of the experience and would be fine never listening to it again. A bland light punk record you've heard a billion other times on this list

I've never been into punk generally, but I'm learning about it. This was a pretty decent album, and I say that as someone still in the "I don't like punk" camp. Found myself bobbing my head a few times.

Feels like yet another indie album from the 2000s

The Libertines has everything I love raucous raw energy and clanging guitars. An album only a British band could create. There is someone about their poetry of crushing women. Not to mention the drugs. 8.2/10

легко и весело

Nowhere near as good as I remembered it to be.

Very good!

cool, not my style

Some tracks were kind of fun (“Don’t Be Shy” is the only one I specifically remember), but overall mediocre and forgettable.

Very few albums do well when they play their best song first. Especially when they follow it with the worst 4-5 tracks before marginally salvaging the wreckage with the back end of the album. I feel like the album should have started around ‘Campaign of Hate’ and finished with ‘Can’t Stop Me Now’ (ish). Anyway, hugely overrated! 3.3

For some unknown reason, I feel that I should pay respect to this release, but I can't really enjoy it so much. It's nice and somehow cozy to listen to any indie British rock from early 2000, but in 2024, they lack something important that I can't name, but I can rate it with 3 stars to represent it.

I liked it

some days i love it, some days i skip it. Shes got a beautiful voice but just not a never skip

This was a pretty fun album, though I can't say that it grabbed my attention all that much. But, for the hellscape that was music in the early 2000s, it achieves the lofty heights of "pretty good" 3/5

Well, that was a surprise. I didn't expect that kind of music from the knobs on the album cover. I was prepared for some depressing, self-indulgent Radiohead sounding crap. This was upbeat and fun, with sort of a throwback sound. I heard John Lennon, The Clash, The Cure, and other likely influences here. I will listen to this again at some point.

Being 22 when this record came out what I remember is just all the crap that went with Pete Dockerty which is a shame as this was really fresh at the time. Soild album. Stand out tracks: - Music when the lights go out - Narccist - The ha ha wall - Campaign of hate - The Saga - What became of the likely lads

I lessened but I don’t really remember. It must have been boring. Briitish punky, alternativsh basic stuff. I think I have heard of the band - maybe one of the members is very famous - I’m not sure and actually don’t really care.

DNF

Not a fan

Clever and cool, intentionally dissonant at times

cool

Somehow missed these guys the first time round so first time listening to the album. I liked it. Reminded me of the early 90's UK pop (before Oasis fucked it up).

All these years later, I'm still loving this album. Some cracking songs on it. All round great work.

This is ok, but not really my vibe. Don’t think I’d listen to again.

Indie rock. Ni fu ni fa.

¡Me ha encantado!

Instantly forgettable.

Favorite track: The man who would be king other picks: Can't stand me now, music when the light comes on

Just meh…Nothing on this album stood out.

Is British stuff like 75% of this list?

My views on this album and this band have changed over time. I initially disliked the whole thing and thought they were overrated but now I've softened. They are very similar in vibe to a lot of other (good) bands at this time and now I'm a bit more nostalgic. Energetic, brash, disjointed and fun. Good indie rock....

1.64

Never listened to The Libertines until they came on the list. I rather enjoyed it. Not as life shattering as some of the other raters felt. Solid album.

Meh

The record that spawned a hundred indie landfill imitations. This band is pretty iconic if you’re a British millennial, though more for legal misadventures and tabloid fodder than quality music. The US had the effortless cool of The Strokes, and we were lumbered with The Liabilities, sorry, Libertines. Still, they were marginally better than the deluge of dross that followed.

I had this album on repeat when it first came out. Not quite sure why. It’s a good album in that it’s not too polished; you hear what they would sound like live without having to leave your house.

What the artic monkeys would sound like if they sucked

I remember The Libertines being the indi darlings of 2004. Their retro punk with its bawdiness and driving beat felt fresh and exciting then and is still gripping now. They keep it loose but tighten up when it’s needed. Some of the slurring and pitchiness of the vocals has lost its charm for me, but overall, I think this album holds up. 3.9

It’s well produced and better than what I expected from something described as indie/garage. There are some nice musical turns and poppy melodies, but the vocals sound like shit – karaoke night at the pub after last call. Sounds like the acclaim isn't universal and I'm inclined to think it sucks. Has a lot of potential though. 2.9

Not a good retro punk sound or a pop/post punk sound

Can barely even remember anything about this, just a few hours later. Decent instrumentals I guess but weak vocals and empty lyrics* and an overall sound that resembles that of teenage rock aspirations (I guess you have to pad this 1001 albums list with some of these, every now and again, though surely not if you expanded beyond a very basic UK-US and Rock demographics). *What I assumed to be an exception: the phrase "A Web of Sound", only to discover that it is the name of a 60s Psychedelic Rock album by the Seeds. So much for good writing!

This album started a mad surge of imitators

A nice surprise! I liked the grungy, dive bar, British punk/ska vibe of this album.

Good album with some good songs

Has some great songs

Forgettable. 2.5/5

bloke singing sounds a tad drunk incoherent mumbling sorta sounds ok 3.4/5

Really enjoyable. I’m in doubt but I think it don’t deserve a 4 quite. Pretty flawless though.

Better than I expected, fun to listen to.

I cant believe this album is now 20 years old. I have a love hate relationship with the Libertines. Their are some great songs but they are just so poor live!! This is good and middle of the road Indie! Some great pop tunes, some hidden gems and some filler. Favourite song: cant stand me now and what katie did next Least favourite: Dont be shy Album artwork: Iconic cover

smashing mate

Ok, jolly, easy to listen to

Boringggg

Is ok

Very representative of early aughts indie punk rock.

Really liked this way more than I thought I would. Easy 4

These guys really tried. Without talent or charisma, the attempted to emulate the Clash and failed tremendously

Opening track is a banger and the early 2000s distilled into a few minutes but the rest is a bit lacklustre.

Yes! Great album!

Basically The Clash for Gen X, there's so much to dislike - their 'mythology', Pete's entire career etc etc but they do know their way around a tune and this is a good listen.

I like The Libertines much more now than I did when this album came out twenty years ago. Then they were so notorious in the press for drugs and Kate Moss, it clouded the music a bit. But their new music appeals to me, particularly Run, Run, Run which was released last year, and listening back to this, I'm drawn to their clever lyrics and catchy silliness, backed by a very enthusiastic drum beat – all the good bits of British indie. Favourite track: Can't Stand Me Now is total vibes, and I love the guitar riff on Music When the Lights Go Out.

I'm writing this while about half way through as I'm afraid I'll forget about this as soon as it's done. It's okay. But really super extra forgettable.

British indie. Nothing to write home about but this was ok.

If you want to embrace the sloppiness this is for you. The songs are likely there, but the execution, not so much.

i fw this. might be a bit early to call but i think id take this brit-alt-punk is over Arctic Monkeys...

Don’t like this anymore. Don’t like the thin repetitive little guitar lines tinkling in the right channel.

Tosh. Pete Doherty killed a man and got away with it to make mediocre jangle pop like this.

God awful. I just can't. Okay, the 'live' sounding production is kinda cool, but to me it just sounds like some pretty competent dads having a drunken jam in the garage.

I didn’t expect this would be much good and I didn’t listen to the whole album, however it was listenable, a bit childish in parts, overall 2*

I'm torn between a high 3 or a low 4. I'll go 3 but ... fine a 4.

Deliberately sloppy and loose which makes it somewhat more interesting, but ultimately just another tedious visit to Indie/Alt Rock land with ‘Don’t Be Shy’ and ‘Tomblands’ the only saving graces here.

a throwback to a time when being a messy wastoid in tight clothes was proper replacement for a personality.

Love this era of British alternative, but The Libertines do nothing for me. 2/5

недостаточно пение для меня, хоть и не скучно

The Garage Rock scene in the early 2000's were very interesting, it ranged from this to anything Jack White was involved in. And all of it was actually pretty good. I can see the formative aspects of it, but don't fully love it. It has a lot of potential, but ultimately just falls a little flat. Mick Jones being behind the board is always a little bit of a boost. Maybe with a couple of listens it might pop up to a 4 star, but today I'm not quite there.

I saw the picture and immediately heard the opening cacophony in my head. Heroin chic in music form. Lazy, cool and dirty. I didn’t know this was actually their second album and they had done a couple of decent hits before this. I do love the first track but the rest of the album started to wear me down a little. Probably because it really makes me want to get totally shit faced but in reality I’ve got to do the washing up and make my kids packed lunch for tomorrow.

This is an alright British alternative album. They were like a precursor to the arctic monkeys in style and sound but not as polished as them. Overall it’s British alternative and it’s okay. Not sure if I’d listen to them much as the arctic monkeys are better. 6.1/10

Not bad. Kind dug some of it. Would def listen again if it came into my feed.

Imagine Franz Ferdinand and The Strokes had a child, but the child was defected: That child would be The Libertines. "Music When The Lights Go Out" is good.

They've done nothing but rehash old ideas from the '60s-'80s. There is not a single catchy chorus in the entire album, and it takes more than a British accent to qualify as artsy. Also, for most tracks, I couldn't even tell you what the general theme is supposed to be.

Not bad. Entertaining lyrics and a fun, ramshackle style.

Great and charming album that deserved all the hype. Maybe more. It has all: rhythm, harmonies -and hormones-, mysticism. It is a fun listen. Yes, it may be the British response to The Strokes, and in some points, I consider it superior. Maybe it's the poetry and dandy vibes, the influence of The Smiths and William Blake. Happy to listen to this, over and over again.

The music isn't bad, but it's nothing novel. I didn't hate listening to it and enjoyed it, but when Spotify autoplayed a song after the album was done, I didn't even realize the album had ended

Not too impressed

It is English punk. It is what it is. It my favorite sound but not bad

One of the bands that began a long lasting love for this genre, indie sleaze. Perfect in every way, Can’t Stand Me Now is one of my favourite songs of all time.

Trying to think of something to say about this album but aside from cock I'm struggling

3.5

Классическая индюшатина: чета громко, быстро, но не сочно. И вокал сексапильный. Не особо такое люблю, но вот когда от этой формулы отход хотя бы на чуть-чуть, и тогда уже неплохо

Classic 90s alternative rock sound. Nothing really drawing or unique about this sound, but still brings some nostalgia, even though I’ve never listened to this band before.

Interesting post British punk rock. Good but as someone else wrote, forgettable xxx

Pretty forgettable punk rock. Not sure why this album in particular stood out enough to be picked for this list but as a 90s kid who grew up on this stuff, I really don't think it does the genre justice.

cute. nice. 4

I liked this one. This album is a true roller coaster of rhythmic feelings. Favorite track: Tomblands

Really good. I liked the vocals and the diversity of the album despite being in a genre not know for having a super diverse sound.

I agree with the top review calling this landfill indie. It's fine but I've completely forgotten what it sounds like. I do know I enjoyed it while listening but that's it.

I hear strong features of The Arctic Monkeys and hints of The Teardrop Explodes in a sea of dive-bar-hot-mess. Fair? Do I care? And why do the two band mates on the album cover look like they’re about to share a heroin needle?

British garage rock revival from the mid 2000s. It was quite fun while listening to it but to be honest, it wasn't memorable music; I can't remember any of the songs I listened. This album made way to other British rock bands later, like the Arctic Monkeys for instance, which is imo a way better band than The Libertines were.

This grew on me on the second listen. Some interesting tracks for sure.

This album sucks. “Let’s just play out of tune! None of us can sing, might as well moan whatever the song title is.” What an awful piece of shit this album was

Never heard their music before, but had seen accounts of the various band members rather wild lifestyles. Music is good, liked it, pleasantly post-punk

Bad boring rock. Next.

I already forget what this album sounded like and I listened to it yesterday.

Not as bad as I expected from the album covers. Big variety between chiller and more energetic songs as well

An enjoyable listen, which I didn't expect at first

Can't stand indie, but this wasn't absolutely terrible. Just mostly terrible. Opening track the only one I recognised, wasn't as bad as I remember. Most of the rest was tosh. Man who would be king was alright tbf. But my god what a bland souless genre of music.

I guess these two Herberts are the pinnacle of “indie sleaze” which I think means they were stinky skag heads in skinny jeans. I used to listen to them a lot when I was a teenager, and I definitely preferred their first album but revisiting this for the first time in ages I think it stands up well. I always thought it would fall apart if they didn’t have such a solid rhythm section, and the sound of scrappy guitars and sloppy vocals over that solid foundation still sounds really good. I think the song writing is high quality and it’s a shame the many imitators that came afterwards dragged them into the indie landfill category. The album actually gets a lot better as it goes on, I’d forgotten how good ‘the haha wall’ and ‘campaign of hate’ are. It ends strongly on a bittersweet note which is pure nostalgia for me. I can imagine our American friends struggling with this one but I think it’s eclectic and enjoyable the whole way through.

A nice album of hard rock well delivered and generally enjoyable if not unique. Doesn't really stand out to me on the crowded musical landscape 3 stars

I actually love this really hard in regards to the music. Some really cool bass lines. The singer is very one trick pony though which makes me not want to listen to it all the time.

Seems like relatively generic, if not enjoyable indie music. Although one would expect a singer that was addicted to crack to have a little bit more realness in their voice. Solid 3.0

Pretty solid, but ultimately kinda forgettable.

I thoroughly enjoyed this album!!!

- Den Namen The Libertines hatte ich schonmal gehört aber keinen einzigen Song und dass Pete Doherty Sänger in noch einer weiteren Band neben den Babyshambles ist, wusste ich auch nicht - Ich finde den Typen aber irgendwie schon immer auf seine sehr abgefuckte Weise sympathisch. Immer wieder Drogenexzesse, Überdosen, Selbstmordgedanken, Kinder mit etlichen Models. Dabei aber einen trockenen Humor, der sich auch oft in seinen Lyrics ausdrückt. Irgendwie ein trauriger Loser mit Humor. Irgendwie roote ich für ihn. - Warum so viel über Doherty reden? Weil der den Sound der Libertines für mich charakteristisch und von anderen Bands aus der Zeit unterscheidbar macht. Seine komische quirky Stimme, die relativ wenige Töne trifft, aber mich irgendwie schon immer fasziniert. - Die Mischung aus The Clash artigem Punk und Britpop gefällt mir super gut. Dazu einige bluesige Einflüsse. - Dass ich direkt an The Clash denken musste, könnte auch damit zusammenhängen, dass Mick Jones das Album produziert hat - Ich hatte mal wieder keine Erwartungen an das Album und bin positiv überrascht - Ich muss sagen, dass ich die Songs, bei denen Pete Doherty nicht gesungen hat, relativ langweilig fand - Werde ich sicher nochmal wieder drauf zurückkommen Rating: 3,5/5

- Kannte nur den Cant Stand me Now von dem Album. - Hat mich leider insgesamt ziemlich kalt gelassen. Waren ein paar nette Ideen dabei aber alles in allem einfach nicht mein "Tune" und wenn ich unterhalten war dann leider nur von einzelnen Songs. - Manche Teile klangen für mich einfach nach rumgejamme 2,5/5

In spite of my much professed love of aughts indie rock, somehow The Libertines never did much for me. They just feel like a lesser imitation of bands like The White Stripes and Arctic Monkeys. This album isn't bad by any stretch but I would rather listen to others most of the time.

Pretty fab

Fullt godkänd platta.

Brilliant

I don’t like British indie rock. I just can’t find my way with it. 2

Sopivan rentoa rallattelua joka tyydyttää tarpeen jo ensimmäisellä soittokerralla. Meni sujuvasti läpi.

Tää tais olla ihan jees. Reilut kaksi tähteä vaan kuitenkin, ku ei erityisesti jääny mieleen

2.5

Good album with a couple of stand out tracks

I’m 160 albums into this project, and my only real complaint is the over-emphasis on British acts from the 90’s and 00’s. And here’s another one. The Libertines are more towards Indie, and it seems they were pretty popular in UK. But didn’t make a splash un USA. Overall, it is fine. But nothing really stands out. I’ll take the Fratellis over these guys anyway. As the album went along it seemed to improve, but not nearly enough to round to 4… Anyway, 3/5

This rattled along with some aplomb. Some nifty bouncy stuff easy to access. Overall entertaining and fun.

Langweilig

Meh, underwhelming UK indie

This album was better than I was anticipating it to be. Quite listenable.

Wow – that was fun!!! Never heard of the band before, and thought this album was incredibly well-done… I liked the originality of their sound, as it was a bit more complex than most bands of that time and genre… Best songs IMO, starting with the best were – “Road To Ruin” “The Ha Ha Wall” “The Man Who Would Be King” “The Saga” “When The Lights Go Out” Would probably give this a 3.50 if I could, but just not quite enough there to get this to a 4, so a dead-solid 3 for me, and glad that I listened…

It was nothing to write home about, but I liked it

I really enjoyed this album all the way through. My favourite from the list so far, so much so i listened thrice!

I remember all the fuss about The Libertines back when this album dropped and I didn't find them that interesting to listen to at the time. Having not listened to their material for twenty years allowed me the chance to give it a fresh chance and it was better than I remembered. Not great though, just okay.

Can't Stand Me Now 3 Last Post on the Bugle 3.1 Don't Be Shy 3 The Man Who Would Be King 3.2 Music When the Lights Go Out 2.9 Narcissist 3 The Ha Ha Wall 3.4 Arbeit Macht Frei 3 Campaign of Hate 3.3 What Katie Did 3.2 Tomblands 3.1 The Saga 3.2 Road to Ruin 3.2 What Became of the Likely Lads 3 Score: 3.114285714

The Libertines sit somewhere between British new-wave, post-punk and indie pop. All three styles that are massively over-represented on this list. While I mildly disliked the most punk-like tracks on this album such as Don't Be Shy and Music When The Lights Go Out, most of the album is of quite high quality. Especially the guitar work is certainly not bad. Nonetheless, there's absolutely nothing new here. Not a single second of novelty on the whole album. While I certainly understand genre fans enjoying this, I certainly also understand the polling of this album as being highly overrated. 3.5 rated down.

3/20/24. Eh, sounded pretty generic garage rock from the 2000s, didn't move the needle for me.

Sounds sort of like a British version of the Replacements. I liked the album enough but it gets an extra star for how awesome Music When The Lights Go Down is. That track is a masterpiece.

It aight - 7/10

It was alright. I liked the chill songs more than the others. The guy on the cover looks like Jason Schwartzman.

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

I just really didn't wanna keep listening to this, so I guess 1 star.

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. ***

I was first introduced to this album in Australia in 2005. "The Libertines" (along with Razorlight's "Up All Night" and "The Complete Stone Roses") was new to me and heavily featured in the soundtrack to my backpacking adventure down under. This was one of the few albums that genuinely changed my music-loving brain. It was a new(ish) sound. The imperfect duelling guitars that mesh perfectly together. The raw yet melodic vocals. The fucking lyrics. I instantly loved it. This is a complete album. Every song hits. "Music When the Lights Go Out", in particular, is a pure magic; songwriting genius. I still love everything about this record. These boys are exceptionally talented degenerate junkies. 👍👍

Very good but I liked Up the Bracket more

Ну не, меня бесит этот грязный звук. Хотя есть приятные мотивы, все равно альбом -- гадость. Даже лучшие треки. Ну, кроме What Katie Did

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

Redundant. Sounds like a hundred albums that came before.

Good aughties sound (similar to the Strokes for me) that is tight and driving without that college radio "etheral hum" that I think is overdone.

Huh? This one, not Up the Bracket?? Look I like the Libertines, at one point I liked them a LOT. But there is just no justification for including this mainly lacklustre and patchy, disappointing follow up to an excellent debut in this list. Things were already going very wrong for the band and on the verge of splitting up by this point and a couple of the songs are interesting for exploring the dynamic between Carl and Pete, but besides that, pass. Basically, 1st track, last track both excellent. Filler almost consistently average in between. Music When the Lights Go Out the notable exception. So much B-side quality shoved on the record. Particularly b-side vibes: tracks 2-4, 7, 9, 11-13. So that's 8 out of 14 tracks. Re listening to this today was reliving my huge disappointment with it on release. I kept listening then, but it didn't get better. I see there's a brand new record out next month, which I will probably listen to and the new songs sound ok, but I'm not that excited about it, sadly. Anyone who remotely enjoyed this and didn't know the band, MUST listen to the debut, and non-album singles Don't Look Back Into the Sun and What a Waster. Far more representative of their talents.

I’ve always liked the simple and raw sound of The Libertines and this is their best album in my opinion

Loved it

frankly boring and flavorless

Another band I was not overly familar with but Can't Stand Me Now does ring some bells. I liked this album more than the Preachers album and found it to be a lot of fun. Faves: Can't Stand Me Now, Music When The Lights Go Out, What Became of the Likely Lads

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

One of the better 2000s indie/garage rock albums on here. I’d say it’s of a similar caliber as The Strokes. Rock on 🤘

Gillade delar av det här mot förmodan! Stark 3

I'm not familiar with this band or this album, and the review for this album seem to be a pretty mixed bag, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Things started off on the right foot; I really loved the guitar playing on "Can't Stand Me Now. But from there, the album didn't really go anywhere interesting, and all of the songs were pretty bland. I really don't see the appeal of this album at all. At a time when bands like Interpol, The Strokes, and Arctic Monkeys were putting out some great work, why would anyone opt for this album?

Passive music that doesn't excel... I have spent a lot of time in Excel today. Favourite track: The Man Who Would Be King

13 in een dozijn indie muziek, niet slecht, niet bijzonder.

Honestly, I expected to hate and at best be indifferent to this album. But honestly? It’s quite good. It starts off strong with “Can’t Stand Me Now” and has some other really good songs, including “Music When The Lights Go Out,” “What Katie Did,” and “What Became Of The Likely Lads.” Parts of it were a little dull and redundant, but overall it was a surprisingly solid album.

No

3-4

Genre: Garage rock revival, indie rock 2004 Standouts: Can't Stand Me Now, What Became of the Likely Lads, What Kate Did, Arbeit Macht Frei, Music When the Lights Go Out, The Saga, Road to Ruin, Excellent: 3.75/5

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.

If the Clash a dog a ran into a wall that was The Arctic Monkeys you’d have this pug-like abomination that really wouldn’t really survive on its own.

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.

I enjoyed the timeless rock sound of this album.

First listen was okay, I kind of liked it. Second listen was better, I really liked it. A third listen may have had me in love, but we agreed to keep it casual.

Very fun!

I’m a sucker for a British accent. Good songs too!

Solid.

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

Good album! can't stand me now reminds me of a very specific time in my teens, this appeared on some kind of compilation CD. Now I have lots more associations with Luke who regails stories of the Libertines in the Medway scene

Ahhh, what a fantastic album. A tour de force. I bloody love this album and it holds up so well. It really takes me back to be being a teenager. The album has such a feel to it. I love the things like random whistles, guitar sounds, shouting etc, it sounds chaotic but all together. Pete Doherty's lyrics are so good, really poetic and beautiful but then put amongst this chaotic sound and the whole world he was living in make such a juxtaposition, it's great. Stay off the drugs Pete.

Loved these guys, too bad pete couldnt leave the heroin alone and they couldnt get along. Could have been much more from them. Great album

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.

Its fine. Definitely not a 1001 album I need to hear before I die 2

Favourite song - music when the lights go out

It takes a pair of friends to fight and split up their band to come up with such a raw, beautiful song as 'Can't Stand me Now'. I totally get why people think this record is overrated. But, c'mon. Depressive, kind of catchy mix between 70s punk and 90s britpop? This is totally my kind of music.

so not for me. I'm glad someone likes it.

I liked most of this one. It kind of falls off though.

It’s alright

2.5

another white band...

Sloppy and not very interesting.

Fun to listen to would listen again.

Imo, this does for indie what Syd Barrett did for phychedelia... not much.

kind of meh

I kind of liked it. Punk garage rock with a clash sound. Will 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 appreciated the attempt and what it was in-tribute to, just isn’t my style

Not my kind of noise!

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

No doubt they rock out, but not really my jam. I imagine they tear up some garages

Album cover screams mid-2000s angst. Can't Stand Me Now drops into a more garage/ska/punk vibe than I was initially anticipating. The mix is really claustrophobic, but otherwise, I actually enjoy the song. Music When The Lights Go Out is a lovely, sloppy jam. Rough edges, but the jamming is solid and I like the ascending guitar throughout. Narcissist also is a ripper, and I like the almost surf rock feel of The Ha Ha Wall that takes a darker, more proggy turn around the 1:45 mark. Intro to Campaign of Hate sounds a ton like a Primus song; carries a similar eeriness throughout. Album ends on a calm note with a stripped away acoustic song called What Became of the Likely Lads. I enjoyed this album way more than I expected to. Rough around the edges in the best way, with a lot of different styles in play. I enjoyed most of what I heard with little exception. Was anything mind-blowing? No. Will I listen again? Probably. Solid 4 / 5. - The Ha Ha Wall (Driving) - Arbeit Macht Frei (Skate Mix)

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.

It's ok. I don't see what's so innovative about thos

I've never been too hot on The Libertines. I think there's a lot of very reductive things you could say about the band (most of which I find generally true anyway), but like, the amount of critical hype they received in the early 2000s just never really lined up with their legacy or uh the quality of their music. It's The Strokes but drunker and more British. Doesn't suck entirely though. 5/10

Britpunk. OK, but not sure why this is here over something by The Clash or Sex Pistols. Bristled at the title \"Arbeit Macht Frei\" & had to look up the lyrics as they were completely unintelligible -- at least it wasn't a pro-N@zi song.

Also meh.

Pretty good

Very early 2000's, Strokes-like, short catchy tunes.

A surprise for sure. Never have heard of this band. Was very impressed with the guitar work. Has a garage rock meets indie... Maybe some blues inspiration in there. The best way I can describe this to non Libertines fans is that they have a Black Keys meets Arctic Monkeys feel to it. At glance from the artwork, I was thinking that was going to be another punk like band... And I was reluctant to hit play. But I was very pleased with what came after hitting play. I would like to revisit this album again at a later date and see if they still resonate with me. Solid listen.

💖 the saga 🗣️ 7️⃣

Can’t stand them now.

the libertines

Incredible this made it through the front door of a label. Non-descript “music”, bubble-gum lyrics, and, well, the vocal is truly forgettable; it brings to mind a trained dingo I saw performing in Australia. Listen to “Don’t Be Shy” and imagine having that as your only music on a deserted island. Truly frightening.

Meh

Jangley naughties indie. They weren’t my favourite at the time and now I remember why. Messy and a bit lacking.

Meh, didn't hate this album but no tracks stood out to me. Got through it without getting too bored.. probably wouldn't listen again. 3/10

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

Poseurs, and not really competent. I know what they are going for, but it doesn't come across as genuine to me.

Kind of liked it but wasn't blown away!

Surprisingly good.

Four songs liked. Redundant beat.

Is all English indie rock this precious? 1 wilted flower out of 5 🥀

¡Me ha encantado!

is fine, some bangers

Could have died without listening to this shit

Not my favorite.

"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).

insuportavelmente chato

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.

Because British punk is the greatest genre of all, right? This list thinks so.

I enjoyed this one, but it kinda of came and went. Not much to stick with me.

Meh

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

Osaavat muodostaa yhden kielen kitarakuvioita, eivät melodioita. Osaavat rämistä, eivät rokata.

Libertines sind absolute Klassiker für alle die Britpop/Indie Rock mögen. Das Album geht bisschen mehr in die punk Richtung, als die musik vieler anderer Interpreten aus dem Britpop, ich mag das aber gerne. Nur mit Pete Dohertys stimme tue ich mich ein bisschen schwer.

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)

low 2, bordering a 1 because i listened to this whilst angry and I already hate music like this

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.

Non.

The hip sound of a pill-fueled bender. Hard for me to stomach in our current post-ironic hellscape.

Point off for being British

Enjoyable and forgettable at the same time

Big hit or miss energy on this one. One song I’d be really uninterested and the next I would be thinking “oh now this one is potentially good.” What’s truly interesting is that for such a wishy-washy album, somehow all the tracks still managed to sound the same - honestly it’s impressive 🤔

Songs are either mediocre or aweful.

Really likeable, catchy melodic punk - the gritty reality lyrical approach of the early Arctic Monkeys and the cockney tunesmith feel of Squeeze - but all on speed (unfortunately this isn't just a simile - it's the truth). I'm conflicted. The music is entertaining but Pete Doherty was such an arsehole, I struggle to separate the two

Yet another album that seems to have been curated here because the author had a hard time coming up with the promised thousand albums.

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"

This is ok. Shades of early aughts music. Just ok, 2*, don't hate it. Can't tell why this is on this list. Some reviewer compared them to Arctic Monkeys, which is what this reminded me of.

Another album came and left before I knew it was over. Completely unremarkable or memorable.

Pretty decent advert for not being a junkie dickhead. Mumble indie.

They burned brightly for a while.