The Libertines

Okish indie rock. Never understood the big fuss tbh

I remember the name of this band and I know Ive heard them and think I know what their sound will be. Early 2000s Strokes garage rock influence is what I’m picturing before listening. It’s very 2000s indie rock early on. You hear a post punk vibe on it. Something about English bands that sound English. They’re a lesser version of early Arctic Monkeys to me just on first listen. Nothing is jumping out at me but it’s a pretty solid listen so far. When the Lights Go Out is the first song that felt like something different that stood out. Some of the more punk sounding garage rock wasn’t all my favorite. What Katie Did is my favorite song of the album probably. Really good. Enough of this is pretty good to warrant a 3. Wish I enjoyed all of it more, because really liked a few songs. Just felt like wasn’t connecting on a lot of it for me. Solid 3, wouldn’t mind hearing some of these songs in a playlist.

One of the most important bands for me in my teenage years. These guys, along with the White Stripes, are probably the reason I started listening to music that wasn't oldies or classic rock. Pete Doherty and Carl Barât were the epitome of stylish. Gary Powell's drums sound great, and it also felt cool and inclusive to have a non-white musician in a largely white guy scene. I think 'Up The Bracket' is probably the tighter, more powerful album, and it holds a more important place in my own personal narrative. But this one better captures the doomed, messy, romantic nature of the band. I love that their politics were always revolutionary, but built on a highly individualistic sense of self, and a reverence and longing for the past. The bitter love songs here can also be read as a metaphor for Barât and Doherty's complex friendship. They were more intellectual than their peers, and their relationship subverted the trope of lad culture that went along with a lot of other bands in the 2000s UK indie scene. (Were they feminine? They felt non-heteronormative, at least.) Finally I think they have a legit edge, an air of despondency and tragedy that feels more authentic than the performative 'indie sleaze' of a lot of American bands.

Really great album. Catchy, well-written, interesting songs, very emotive singing (my weakness!). I'm considering this 4.5 stars for now, but could definitely see it growing to 5 stars in time. I listened on headphones and was boppin around the bedroom. Especially enjoyed Can't Stand Me Now.

Good old British Rock. Nothing that excites me, like usual

Boring slow Brit indie. Meh

Sounds so dated now

This was hit or miss for me, but I'm rounding up because the songs I liked, I really liked.

Nothing grabbed me on this one. Pretty generic Brit pop from the era.

3.5. Some great cuts, some forgettable. Killer opening and closing tracks.

7 GOOD

5/10

Pretty much the sound of what I associate with people who, back in the early 2000s, would listen to in order to prove they were 'better' than those that listened to mainstream pop. It's perfectly fine music, but it's also lacking any real substance to elevate it.

There's probably decent power pop buried somewhere under the put-on punk flair. Unfortunately the thing lacks charisma. Punky, slackery, garage rock stuff usually only works if the vibe's the juvenile joy of playing guitars fucking loud, I find. I don't really get that from The Libertines unfortunately. Album feels undercooked in a wrong way.

Tapped out during song 4. Apologized to myself for waiting so long

It was good, very similar to yesterdays I feel like. Highlights: Can’t stand me now (fav) The man who would be king Music when the lights go out

Very British. Very 2000s

They're so british it's like cutting steel with a piece of floss

Not the most meaningful lyricists but the music is quite good. Definitely worth experiencing as I was unfamiliar with this band. Glad they were on the list.

this music sux

Playing and singing badly seemed to be vogue in the 90s. There are fleeting moments on this album but the morass is knee high and far too much to wade through

I did not like this one as much as I had anticipated. This kind of music is sort of down my alley, and I thought I would like it more than I did. It wasn't punk enough, and yet, too poppy for me as well. I can handle one but this seems to be down the middle. There is a whole subgenre of music represented in this book, which can be defined as "British rock," and it is overrepresented. Listening to the Arctic Monkeys debut compared to this one show which artist was probably more influential. The Libertines were not boring and that probably also elevated their music in the eyes of critics. There is nothing happening here which leads me to believe I needed to hear this album or it influenced other artists...other than to maybe not use drugs. My favorite tracks: Can't Stand Me Now Don't Be Shy Music When the Lights Go Out The Ha Ha Wall What Katie Did

Brilliant album. Held up well I think. Nice to see them playing together still.

I am a fan of The Libertines. They prove you can still make great songs without being great musicians and another band with a completely unique sound (maybe because of that). Can't Stand Me Now gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. However, most of the rest of the album doesn't quite do it for me and definitely could be a few songs shorter. It should be a 7/10, will bump up instead of down

First time Libs album listen - liked it more than I thought. Clear lineage, Kinks, Smiths....c'mon The Albion!! Appreciated the purposely shambolic vocal delivery at times, particularly Don't be Shy, almost Damo Suzuki like! Always thought this Katie song was the one about Moss though, oh well.

I absolutely love a number of songs off this album, but it was never one I frequently returned to in full. Instead, the libertines have always been a playlist band for me. There is generational talent on show here. Fine social commentary and observation underpinned with a unique lead dynamic takes it a long way. When the tunes are at their best it’s at times a work of absolute brilliance, but there are far too many songs which sink into heroine chic, just filling the void and which feel very much of their era. It’s also good to be reminded that Pete Doherty was banging Kate Moss and dedicated a song to her and heroine use. Bizarre times. Heart says 4, head says 3, but I’d gladly listen to half of it on repeat on (Re-peat!) for hours!

Indie rock is such a hidebound genre. Production aside this could have been made at any point after punk. Sonically it's all a bit so what.

Yes, even had to tolerate Tim moaning about it. You just had to be there (not that I was in Essex)

Loved this in those heady, trilbied days. Giving it another listen is a little painful now though. Some great singles that I think stand up. But too much skippable filler like 'Don't Be Shy', 'Narcissist' and 'Campaign of Hate'. Rushed out, underthought and overlong.

Never could stand that prick. Terrible singing and the music is absolutely atrocious.

A lot of folks dislike Pete Doherty, I think he's great personally. Not enough characters like him out there any more. Anyway, I'm not a fan of this album however. Primarily because of the awful guitar work on these libertines records. Hopefully their other big album isn't on this list too? Also, it's not on Spotify for some reason so listened with ads in YouTube. Preferred the ads tbh. 2/5. Would be a one if Pete Doherty wasn't on it.

Didn't know what to expect but reminds me of Los Campesinos! in a way so I enjoyed it and would listen again.

Enjoyed more than I thought I would

I’ve always thought the Libertines were a bit overhyped, I never quite got it myself. This was alright but despite a few high points a lot of it was really just ok, nothing too special. It feels a bit like the indie presses were desperate for a band to hype following the fallow post-Brit pop years and this lot fitted the bill. I can’t help but think If there had been any better, more decent bands about at the time then they may not have been hyped quite as much.

I loved their debut album Up The Bracket which is a raw, often shambolic, indie punk rock master class. As the press took notice and desperately tried to hail them as the next big thing, it all started to go wrong and the biggest comparison to the Britpop era was that they filled tabloid pages with their tales of excess, all very Oasisesque! This album is more polished and has some great tracks, but a few average ones that soon fade from the memory.

Yeah so the too cool for school shambolic druggy waster thing wore thin and crashed and burned for them pretty quick. This album hasn’t fared much better. They were a decent live act when I saw them perform this album, but vibes more than content was their thing. As with this album there’s a few good songs and glimpses of a talent probably never quite fulfilled.

wacala

Oddly out of tune. An extra point for What Katie Did

2 stars

Had some nice moments, and I can appreciate it for it's place in UK indie rock history, but it was nothing to shout about.

Not into most early 2000’s bands but The Libertines don’t fit the mold. Excellent album.

Punk

New wave punk vibe

Wow, what a fun record. Loved pretty much every second of this. Makes me want to check out the rest of their stuff!

Wow I kinda loved this! Really struggled between a 3.5 and 4, but went with 4 for just how much fun I was having with it and its obvious influences and its obviously who took influence later after 2004 release.

All I knew of them was that the singer was all over the news for a while. That means absolutely nothing though. I've come off a bad run recently with S&M, 1984, then Darkdancer - all 1 and 2 star albums to my tastes. So this was a step up from those. But the goodwill of getting a reasonable album after so much dross (well, 1984 wasn't dross I guess) that just means it's gone from an average 3 stars to a high 3 stars.

Neat!

Nice rock music.

Eh…you know. It certainly sounds like it’s from 2004.

Great all aprund album with just 2 singles. Band was not the best but this could be one pf the top ablums of that period. Catchy, popish leaning towards hard rock with a sparkle of punk. Amazing

Not to my tastes. A good single from this album, the rest listenable, but not the most exciting. Very early noughties British, so I can appreciate it though.

This definitely falls into the category of insanely pleasant surprise.

Didn't like the Libertines when they were everywhere. With a bit of distance, there's some good songs on here.

I can see why some people like this and some don't. I wasn't too impressed but there was juuust enough shambolic charm to save it from a two-star rating.

Me nærmar oss no, etter mitt syn, «1001 plater du ikkje treng høyre». Eg likar godt garasjerock, og rufsete band som får til eit uttrykk på rein vilje. Libertines er langt frå å hevde seg i den kategorien. Men mykje mediemerksemd fekk dei i si tid, og kanskje solgte dei mange plater på det? Fingrane kryssa for neste skive ut.

God miks av punk og den mer slarkete britpopen. Bandet er ufyselige, men innimellom er de litt sånn sjarmerende ufyselige også. Hele albumet har en sterk følelse av at ting bare blei sånn helt tilfeldig, og det må ha vært en helt forjævlig jobb å være tekniker eller produsent i denne prosessen, men det funker på vis likevel. Rart. 8/10

No byrjar det å røyna litt på dette prosjektet. Skal innrøma det. Dette takraset av eit band unngjekk eg medan det stod på, og eg har ikkje vakse meg venlegare innstilt i løpet av åra høyrer eg. Det er tilløp til nokre ganske gode låtar her og der - Can’t stand me now, Last post on the bugle, Music when the lights go out, men då leitar eg etter ting å lika, og dét er jaffal ikkje korleis dei spelar og syng desse låtane. Oppskrøten gjeng.

Bedre enn fryktet, men langt ned på rennen over mislykkede rockeplater fra starten av 2000-tallet. Låtene hvor de bryr seg minst fungerer sånn tredve prosent, men når de åpenbart har prøvd å tenke fram en skikkelig hit er det fryktelig å være vitne til det planlagte i det hele. The Strokes ga oss kun en verden av smerte.

Var de par første årene med Libertines sist rocken var farlig? Opprørsk? Begreper det er vanskelig å ta helt alvorlig, iallfall i denne settingen. Men underholdende var det, det skal de ha. En satt med følelsen av at her kan nesten hva som helst skje. Synd bare at platene ikke stod helt i stil med oppstyret rundt dem. Likevel: Jeg er tilstrekkelig begeistret til å slenge en litt snill firer etter Carl og Pete. Jeg tilbrakte et halvt døgn med Pete da han besøkte Oslo i 2005. Det begynte med at han satt fast hos tollerne på Gardermoen, noe som var alt annet enn ideelt siden han egentlig skulle stå på scenen i Middelalderparken. Etter hvert ble en slags konsert gjennomført, om enn betydelig senere enn planlagt. Resten av dagen og natta utspilte seg i omtrent samme ånd. Det sterkeste minnet er fra Stratos langt utpå natta. Høyt over Youngstorget satt Pete i vinduskarmen utenfor toalettet og dro fram munnspillet. Rølpe-Pete forsvant et øyeblikk, tilbake var bare en musikalsk og åpenbart talentfull fyr. Det låt rett og slett skikkelig fint. Et par minutter senere var han borte som ei sviske, og dukket ikke opp igjen før omtrent det øyeblikket bilen til Gardermoen ikke kunne vente et eneste sekund lenger. Det virket som et slitsomt liv.

The Libertines - s/t Eg bit ofte på når folk hyllar gamal doo-wop som Pete og co gjer på “What Katie Did”, men ikkje ein gong kontrasten til den mørke historia gjer dette interessant. Eg hugsar “Music When The Lights Go Out” var ein favoritt blant enkelte i kretsen på tida då denne plata kom ut, men når eg høyrer den no er den heilt utruleg slapp. Og ja, einig med Endre. Opnaren er det beste som skjer her, men i sum er dette nok ein bekreftelse på at den rocke-renessansen det blei snakka så mykje om på tidleg 2000-tal var bleike greier. The Strokes og White Stripes hadde karakter og låtar, men veldig mange av dei andre var som dette: Preglause. For The Libertines utan sirkuset rundt Pete Doherty kunne like gjerne aldri eksistert. 4/10

Day990 - seems like a bunch of posers to me

The Clash, but noisier.

Enjoyable

Pretty unremarkable

Kind of like the strokes but way less memorable

Without this, Arctic Monkeys don’t exist.

Some nice guitar parts. The messy sound is fun in places but not always for me.

I expected more after reading some glowing reviews, but it just falls flat like most of the Brit rock (?) on here.

For some reason it this sounds like a bad Beatles/Kink impression and just makes me want to go listen to those bands

Don't be shyyyyyylalalalalalay

THIS IS A GOOD, HONEST, BRITISH ROCK ALBUM. WE SING BRITISHLY GODDAMMIT. SALT OF THE EARTH, PUNCH THE CLOCK, EVEN ROCK/BALLAD RATIO ALBUM. WE CHILL ON A COUPLE, GUESS WHAT? WE’LL ROCK ON A COUPLE, TOO. BUT DON’T GET TOO EXCITED OR LET IT GO TO YOUR HEAD. NO LONG ROCKING STREAKS HERE, NO SIR. THAT’S HUBRIS, WHICH THIS BLUE COLLAR, HARD WORKING EVERYMAN ALBUM DOESN’T HAVE. A FEW ROCKERS IN A ROW, THESE GUYS, TRUE TO FORM, WILL BALANCE IT OUT WITH A COUPLE MELLOWER ROCKERS. YES SIR, THAT’S MY BRITISH THE LIBERTINES BAND. A GOOD, HONEST BRITISH ROCK ALBUM.

A fakat nije moj đir, nemam kaj drugo reci.

I didn’t listen to this album instead I listened to Bob Dylan live at Budokan. I can get behind any iteration of Dylan except possibly this one. I will listen to real life from 1984 next to see what I think of that. Somehow, I’ve never spun it. Anyhow, I wouldn’t say that any song on this album is among my favorite versions. Some kind of half ass reggae rhythms, some dumb, steel drums, and the absolute slaughtering of Melody. The version of shelter from the storm, which I think is one of his most gorgeous songs, is completely ignored and instead sung in a single flat note. I don’t know man. I don’t know what’s going on here. Obviously this was the transitional period, just before an almost complete shedding of the Old, and directly prior to him embrace and Christianity, fire and brimstone, divine judgment, and all. And I actually really enjoy that. At least as depicted in the live setting. Regardless of the materials content he and his band and his backup singers gave it all in those performances. Anyhow, I don’t like this album. Still i could never give Bob a single star.

Not their best

I heard this band in my youth & thought they were ok but now I know better

You know what they say. The Libertines crawled so that the Strokes could also crawl. Or maybe the Strokes predate the Libertines and it’s the other way around. I don’t know. Who cares. Who care

Cooler and more interesting than I expected

Verdadero midd, está bien, pero nada memorable.

3.6

A pleasant surprise. As I had not heard of them, I figured it would be a coin flip, but I did really enjoy this. It feels like they combined the best parts of the prior 15 years of rock & alternative to create something not necessarily greater, or even great, but something certainly enjoyable that can easily stand on its own. Nothing particularly standout, but I did like the listen and I’m glad I got to check it out. If/when they get a bit more involved in my rotation, I’m sure I’ll come to really like it.

Really enjoyed this def of a time

Solid album

Kinda surprised me. The lyrics are pretty thoughtful. Songs are mostly short jams, which I like.

there's something about the mumbling drugged out british lad delivery that really works. i like the "upbeat but certainly not happy" energy. i don't think it's like spectacularly noteworthy or special, but it pulls some tricks and i really enjoyed it. favorite song is What Katie Did or The Ha Ha Wall. strong 3

Rating: 6/10 Fun but also pretty average and uninteresting. One thing I was surprised by was the shift in tone it would have from upbeat and energetic to this raw melancholy. There are few highlights though, like the opener and Music When the Lights Go Out, along with the closing track. Some of the others I fear are already forgettable

Feels like bog standard brit pop indie rock. Young boy was apparently a wild one but I haven't really had the chance to research it.

I had never listened to The Libertines before and I ended up really like this album. Some of it reminded me of The Cure. I'll definitely come back to it. 9/10.

Meh. A few good tracks from the Bootleg Strokes/Vines/Hives but otherwise kind of a mess. If I want lads about town ill listen to the fratellis

Very good! I can hear the punk and reminds me a bit of Arctic Monkeys.

OK but not memorable.

#252 Heard Before? Nope. I was always told "Up The Bracket" was much better and I never made it past that. Notes: - maybe i should have paid attention to the lyrics. there might be something of interest. - some nifty guitar interplay. - fine if undistinguished rhythm section. - acceptable production values. - no songs of any interest to me. Verdict: Maybe you had to be there. Listen Again? No thanks.

Enjoyable retro style tunes.

Thank god that’s over. Very forgettable

Sounds very boring to me. Reminds me of The Strokes.

First time with this group. Good sound.

GB血脉，同一宗门，相同演绎，不同人生

Tremenda revelación. Amé este álbum de los libertinos. Genial música, letras rebeldonas y enojadas y una onda tremendamente cool que va desde el primer track hasta el último.

I don’t recall The Libertines being on major rotation in Canada, so I’m pretty unfamiliar give or take a track here or there. I also can’t fully place them in the early aughts “bands like this” pantheon. All in all a pretty entertaining rip.

Admittedly, a strong personal bias at work here. At university, my friend had this 1997 Honda Integra. This album got stuck in his CD player, and so it was blasted constantly from his car for about 18 months. It became like greensleeves for Mr Whippy. We’d hear him coming down the street, Libertines blaring, then we’d jump in to go skating, or to the liquor store, or the beach, or a party, or to any one of the spontaneous daily adventures 20-year-olds do so naturally and take for granted. I have a Pavlovian response for good times whenever I hear this record. Will always be a personal five-star.

Credit where credit is due, the incessant praise by the British Music Press for this charmless fucking dreck like this was perhaps a major factor in its decline. I hope everybody who wrote for the NME from 2000-2009 is now homeless, and I know that everybody who writes for them now is.