Libertines - Up The Bracket

Did the debut album from London dandies the Libertines live up to the hype? With the Clash's Mick Jones at the production helm, gravelly tracks such as "Horror Show" and "The Boy Looked at Johnny" rattle along like first-gen punk classics. But like the Strokes, the Libertines manage to imbue snotty garage rock with a sort of wistful romanticism that adds genuine soul to their raucous clatter. Although there's no sign of "What a Waster," the single that made their name, there's no shortage of excellent tunes here. "Boys in the Band" is an affectionate ode to a groupie, with frontmen Pete Doherty and Carl Barat hollering: "And they all get 'em out / For the boys in the band." "I Get Along" proves that these boys have a knack for penning tight, nervy songs that evoke the Jam and the Buzzcocks.

 Tracklist:

1. Vertigo
2. Death on the Stairs
3. Horrorshow
4. Time for Heroes
5. Boys in the Band
6. Radio America
7. Up the Bracket
8. Tell the King
9. The Boy Looked at Johnny
10. Begging
11. The Good Old Days
12. I Get Along