The Libertines second album release Exclusive Sneak Preview CD Review 14 tracks (August 2004 release date) Pete, Carl, band brilliance
There’s something about the ability to create music that is emotional, big, hard, stripped down, not too dressed up but definitely dressed for an outing, while at the same time, enormous in delivery. To call The Libertines just a rock band, just a bunch of kids, just another sound in the new resurgence of 60s rock and 70s punk, would be equivalent to witnessing a tsunami and calling it another day the beach. The influences of many are heard within the latest Libs release, but there is a unique desperation in their music that stands apart. I would have to say the most appealing thing about all Libertines music is inside pain that manifests such beauty, as much will, there is never an indication of insincere sentimentality. No hidden agendas. Poets, artists, edge-walkers, harnessed rage, tumultuous energy infinitum. The Libertines, they can rock you into frenzy and then pull you into a Mexico sand bar sunset, lamentations of lost love or love on the verge. Then without a thought, back to the beat driven riffs, shock into the grit of naked bulb reality. Yes, you’re back, but you’re different. Anyone inclined to classify The Libertines with the phrase of just another anything need go no further than this CD for a new set of values. This latest creation is nothing short of witnessing a birth, one that will change the expectations of bands to follow. And so I take a slight departure to review not all, but most, of the tracks on The Libertines self titled second release.
The Libertines Can’t Stand Me Now
“If you wanna try, if you wanna try…there’s no worse you could do.” They start with a wonderful loss of love song; some head bobbing beats, harmonicas, vocals that send a little tingle. A voice that always makes think of the inherent heartache in sending away the very sweet thing that is so soft, yet dangerous enough in flirty innocence to be forever forgiven.
“If you wanna try, if you wanna try…there’s no worse you could do.” They start with a wonderful loss of love song; some head bobbing beats, harmonicas, vocals that send a little tingle. A voice that always makes think of the inherent heartache in sending away the very sweet thing that is so soft, yet dangerous enough in flirty innocence to be forever forgiven.
The Libertines Don’t Be Shy
The Kinks all over the place. What a wonderful track. Playful harmonies, almost Beatles harmony on top of it, reminiscent of Rubber Soul sounds. Some raw jiggly riffs that make you want to shake your ass enough to forget that you might be shy.
The Kinks all over the place. What a wonderful track. Playful harmonies, almost Beatles harmony on top of it, reminiscent of Rubber Soul sounds. Some raw jiggly riffs that make you want to shake your ass enough to forget that you might be shy.
The Libertines To The Man Who Would Be King
“I’ve been told if you want to make it in this game, gotta have the luck, you gotta have the look… I’d quite like to make it through the night.” Some great blues influence that is not what you’re used to hearing, but my god they pull it off and play it like it was always theirs. “I lived my dreams today. I lived it yesterday. I’ll be livin’ yours tomorrow, so don’t look at me that way.” Some great Clash screams out of nowhere, a little la-la-la-la chorus sing-along, whistles, turn tail breeze for the transitional end, leave you stool seated, the end of a smoke-filled 4am bar, freeform jazz jam sessions swirl with the dreamy smoke rings. Stoned reflection of the lonely, the wayward, the destitute romantics. Transitions like this, well, you don’t find them often. And as is obvious throughout this latest release, The Libertines have created a new signature sound.
“I’ve been told if you want to make it in this game, gotta have the luck, you gotta have the look… I’d quite like to make it through the night.” Some great blues influence that is not what you’re used to hearing, but my god they pull it off and play it like it was always theirs. “I lived my dreams today. I lived it yesterday. I’ll be livin’ yours tomorrow, so don’t look at me that way.” Some great Clash screams out of nowhere, a little la-la-la-la chorus sing-along, whistles, turn tail breeze for the transitional end, leave you stool seated, the end of a smoke-filled 4am bar, freeform jazz jam sessions swirl with the dreamy smoke rings. Stoned reflection of the lonely, the wayward, the destitute romantics. Transitions like this, well, you don’t find them often. And as is obvious throughout this latest release, The Libertines have created a new signature sound.
The Libertines Music When the Lights Go Out
A beauty, and a stunning track to compliment To The Man Who Would Be King. This is the most touching song I’ve heard in a long while. A heartbreaker, that late night realization while staring at your lover sleeping quietly against indifference—the one you’ve staked your heart on is over. Enough.... The guitar weeps through the song. “Is it cruel or kind not to speak my mind and to lie to you, rather than hurt you? Well, I’ll confess of all my sins after several large gins… oh won’t you please forgive me? I no longer hear the music.”
A beauty, and a stunning track to compliment To The Man Who Would Be King. This is the most touching song I’ve heard in a long while. A heartbreaker, that late night realization while staring at your lover sleeping quietly against indifference—the one you’ve staked your heart on is over. Enough.... The guitar weeps through the song. “Is it cruel or kind not to speak my mind and to lie to you, rather than hurt you? Well, I’ll confess of all my sins after several large gins… oh won’t you please forgive me? I no longer hear the music.”
Then onto a little bit of rocking blues again….
The Libertines Narcissist
Clapping juke joint, cheap gin and cheaper sex. Whistling solos, happy upbeat tempo, you wanna get up and dance, while the lyrics add cynicism enough to merit the title. “You’re going to be so old. You’re going to grow so old. Your skin’s so cold.”
Clapping juke joint, cheap gin and cheaper sex. Whistling solos, happy upbeat tempo, you wanna get up and dance, while the lyrics add cynicism enough to merit the title. “You’re going to be so old. You’re going to grow so old. Your skin’s so cold.”
And so we roll seamlessly into…
The Libertines The Ha-Ha Wall
Some of the best lyrics I’ve ever heard. “If you get tired of just hanging around, pick up a guitar and spin a web of sound. And then you could be stronger all day with lovers and clowns. Now I find myself hanging around. It’s been a long wall. We’re so tired and dirty, still, am I dirty enough for you?” Spectacular transitional guitar work midway pulls you through the winding clocks of waiting, watching it all blow by. More screams unleashed in a good Clash “ee-hallaaa!” You must listen to this track for the guitar transitions alone. To me, this song would be indicative of the new signature sound that will mark them unmistakably Libertines.
Some of the best lyrics I’ve ever heard. “If you get tired of just hanging around, pick up a guitar and spin a web of sound. And then you could be stronger all day with lovers and clowns. Now I find myself hanging around. It’s been a long wall. We’re so tired and dirty, still, am I dirty enough for you?” Spectacular transitional guitar work midway pulls you through the winding clocks of waiting, watching it all blow by. More screams unleashed in a good Clash “ee-hallaaa!” You must listen to this track for the guitar transitions alone. To me, this song would be indicative of the new signature sound that will mark them unmistakably Libertines.
The Libertines Arbeit Macht Frei
All I can say here is one giant bar fight. Yeah it’s the Clash influence, but it’s The Libs too, and they’ve got broken bottles. They win…two minutes flat.
All I can say here is one giant bar fight. Yeah it’s the Clash influence, but it’s The Libs too, and they’ve got broken bottles. They win…two minutes flat.
The Libertines Campaign Of Hate
Something stark, something simple, something lovely. The swinging guitar riffs, I can see bending metal, intricate stret work and transition into a bluesy chorus. End the song with a speeding tempo, “There’s a campaign of hate waiting at the school gate.” Spiral to an end in as much of a spin out as the problem it attacks.
Something stark, something simple, something lovely. The swinging guitar riffs, I can see bending metal, intricate stret work and transition into a bluesy chorus. End the song with a speeding tempo, “There’s a campaign of hate waiting at the school gate.” Spiral to an end in as much of a spin out as the problem it attacks.
The Libertines What Katie Did
“Shoop shoop, shoop de lang de lang.” Yep, The Libertines sing about polka dots. Be not afraid if you are on the rocking side of the Libs—this song is a wonderful mix of cabaret doo-wop, down to a little love harmonies, song chimes, a happy sun day, my love… you can almost laugh with this one, tongue in cheek lyrics as it goes on in all its wonderful jaded innocence. “Safety pins are none too strong Katie, they hold my life together, and I never say never….”
“Shoop shoop, shoop de lang de lang.” Yep, The Libertines sing about polka dots. Be not afraid if you are on the rocking side of the Libs—this song is a wonderful mix of cabaret doo-wop, down to a little love harmonies, song chimes, a happy sun day, my love… you can almost laugh with this one, tongue in cheek lyrics as it goes on in all its wonderful jaded innocence. “Safety pins are none too strong Katie, they hold my life together, and I never say never….”
The Libertines Tomblands
Okay this guitar work is truly amazing…. It’s all over the place in fret work, fast but not showy, and damned if it doesn’t just come at your front, then as you feel it go, it’s already behind you. Put on some headphones and get ready for this one. Again just two minutes, but you’ll safely find a home.
Okay this guitar work is truly amazing…. It’s all over the place in fret work, fast but not showy, and damned if it doesn’t just come at your front, then as you feel it go, it’s already behind you. Put on some headphones and get ready for this one. Again just two minutes, but you’ll safely find a home.
The Libertines Road to Ruin
This starts Clash… all of a sudden I’m hearing Jack White… then I’m inside Von Bondies… now we’re visiting the Doors…. then we’re back to Clash; but it’s all visitors inside The Libertines haven. I’ve said it over and over, but this guitar work doesn’t stop in its impressive intricacy. A whistling solo—it works, one of many touches you’ll find dazzled about the entire CD, little gems you don’t expect and love for the surprise. This is such 60s rock: even some light moog style keyboards in the background that round out the song to a pipe organ gothic finish reminiscent of House of the Rising Sun. I don’t know... it seems anything is possible on this CD as I am into the 13th track. I love it and welcome all twists. This auditory trip has taught me that I will not get what I expect, except that what I will get is better than I could imagine.
This starts Clash… all of a sudden I’m hearing Jack White… then I’m inside Von Bondies… now we’re visiting the Doors…. then we’re back to Clash; but it’s all visitors inside The Libertines haven. I’ve said it over and over, but this guitar work doesn’t stop in its impressive intricacy. A whistling solo—it works, one of many touches you’ll find dazzled about the entire CD, little gems you don’t expect and love for the surprise. This is such 60s rock: even some light moog style keyboards in the background that round out the song to a pipe organ gothic finish reminiscent of House of the Rising Sun. I don’t know... it seems anything is possible on this CD as I am into the 13th track. I love it and welcome all twists. This auditory trip has taught me that I will not get what I expect, except that what I will get is better than I could imagine.
Of course, let us never forget endings….
The Libertines Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads
A choice, a reconciliation of nows and thens, this is a great ending track, one too beautiful to write. Just sit back feel this song, don’t think it, and you’ll experience the whispers of actual pain. I feel like you can’t even sing this song too strongly or it would fall apart; the resigning dialog of trying to find a nook inside an ocean. “What became of the dreams we had? What became of forever? We’ll never know.”
A choice, a reconciliation of nows and thens, this is a great ending track, one too beautiful to write. Just sit back feel this song, don’t think it, and you’ll experience the whispers of actual pain. I feel like you can’t even sing this song too strongly or it would fall apart; the resigning dialog of trying to find a nook inside an ocean. “What became of the dreams we had? What became of forever? We’ll never know.”
As I end this CD, I’m thinking that it’s nice to hear musicians get together and just make music. A seemingly obvious goal, but many times an album can feel less like musicians making music and more about production that cleans house so well, it’s almost lonely when you get home. This CD is a seedling mix of brilliance that grows exponentially within each listen. And like any wild thing that grows, it’s always less tame than the rest for the wilderness, but it knows itself enough to allow the growth to happen. After discussing this with other members of OZ Beat, I have to agree that this album feels as though it were created and executed as if it were the last. I can only say I hope it is not. Within these sounds—so emotionally raw, lyrically poetic, unforgiving in observations, the entire album sings of forgiveness and unconditional understanding—it achieves its own transcendence. I find myself feeling that this album was necessary, and I don’t mean in the sense that people claim music to be necessary, as it is oftentimes used to define music of an era. No. I mean necessary for the sheer expression, necessary as is a heart to find the thing that kills, and also to become the thing that finally releases. Dare I even call it a concept album? The more I go through this, the more it feels like it is. I am driven to listen repeatedly for the experience it conveys.
I would surmise anyone who picks up this CD for its August 2004 release date will find it hard to simply skip tracks and pick a favorite. Pick one, pick another and realize this album doesn’t beg for the listen, it simply becomes what it was meant to be, and we are merely here to play witness. As to The Libertines, I can only reference Up The Bracket as I cherish this latest release: “But if you’ve lost your faith in love and music, the end won’t be long. Because if it’s gone for you, I too may lose it and that would be wrong…. There were no good old days. These are the good old days.” I thank you for that sentiment.
In the heat of rumored endings, let us also never forget the importance of beginnings and now. This is about the best we’ll hear in 2004, possibly years beyond, and one can only hope it will stand as the transition piece of a band that fills its own void with the music that so obviously permeates their very being as they move forward in this new direction. I would say after a few listens straight through, play the first track, Can’t Stand Me Now, and then the last track, Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads, right up against each other. These two songs, at least for me, encompass a complete love song to The Libertines themselves. Lending to the inherent circular motion of this album, another reason I can’t stop playing it—in its ending, it’s just beginning.
With that, I feel another listen coming on as well as a heartfelt thank you to The Libertines for allowing this simply to be.
--Becky
--Becky
