Up the Bracket [Import]

Half the album is instantly catchy, for example, the singalong swagger of Boys in The Band and the rugged punk of I Get Along. Other tracks like Radio America and Vertigo sound, when first listened to, like they were written 5 minutes before they were recorded. They are not instantly catchy, Radio America sounds like it's going to fall apart at any moment. But it is the spontaneity of the music that makes the album a masterpiece.

It is evident from the album that the Libertines play music for enjoyment, not for money or a transient dose of fame, their raw sound being very unlike much of the over produced, sickeningly sweet music that captivates most of the British Youth today. The lyrics are paeans to a lost age, to the England of Oscar Wilde and Thomas Hardy. The Libertines tell it like it is!

I can honestly say I haven't been as in love with an album like this since The Stone Rose's released their debut. Outstanding in every way it grows better and better with every listen (and there's been quite a few of those so far). It's impossible to nominate outstanding tracks as they are are all outstanding and my favourite changes daily.

The Libertines combine the current New York cool of The Strokes with the old UK punk cool of the Clash, whilst chucking in a smattering of The Jam and The Buzzcocks and an understanding of English Folk (yes FOLK). The lyrics are oh so British which just adds to the appeal; intelligent, witty and so to the point. Instant identification. Things just don't get much better!

I hope the band get over their much publicised problems and record again because if they don't it will be a criminal waste of talent. And for all you undecided out there, if you like the current New York scene or have a soft spot for the punk/new wave scene of the late70's/early80's, or if you just like intelligently written pop/rock, do yourselves a favour and buy this album. I promise you, you won't be disappointed.

The best songs for me are Death on the Stairs, Boys in the Band, Up the Bracket and What a Waster, but there isn't a single bad song on the album. Don't ask me to pick out a single song to go as my favourite, because it's impossible. They are all too good.

It's a rarity that any band will produce an album in which you can agree with every single song, but this is certainly something you can listen to all the way through without being disappointed, other than the fact that the album ends somewhat quicker than anyone would ever wish.

Pete and Carl have to be one of the great frontmen pairings of the current indie/rock/punk scene. Their guitar and singing techniques are like none other from any of the current selection of bands, only Eastern Lane come anywhere close but they still lack in many areas.

Overall, it is simply impossible to sell this album to any budding buyers properly without saying just have a listen, you need to hear it to believe it basically.

Oh, and the intro to "Up The Bracket" is the best intro to any song ever in my view!!

The Libertines rule, forever...