This will probably mean even less sense than usual to non-Australian readers, but The Libertines eponymous second album often reminds me of Sydney's Sunnyboys; those quintessential Aussie suburban guitar thumpers. Given Pete Doherty's drug issues and Julian Oxley's state o' mind, you could probably draw some parallels fuck-up-wise, too.
Other choice guitary influences you could chuck in would be The Jam, The Pixies and The Stones.
But after an extremely promising opening rip into Can't Stand Me Now and plenty of great hooks spattered throughout, and for all their undoubted good intentions, The Libertines can't ever seem to make up it's mind exactly what it's supposed to be doing. In fact, it's screaming out for a meaty remix and some judicious culling.
Some of these songs are excellent, in an unfinished but inspired way. But many of the album's tracks evidence a band that's bursting at the seams with talent, only to stumble on unfocused, scattershot song-writing. The greatest single flaw with their arrangements, as with Up the Bracket, comes from their rhythm section; in addition to being ill-produced and low in the mix, it's skilled but bereft of drive, of real gumption. It sounds adeptly executed and is often relatively intricate; but given the band's skill, both the bass- and drum-work seem like something The Libertines could pull off in their sleep.
AGB Rating - Credit
"Hello, we are the Libertines, we really wanted to be the Undertones but they had already written all the good songs."
Posted by: Yorkshiresoul | 18 January 2005 at 20:05
The Undertones are too good to compare them to The Libertine's, Mike.
By the way, good win by England. Hope Hoggard's used up all his mojo. Mind you, Sarth Efrica are pants.
Posted by: Tony.T | 18 January 2005 at 20:20
Pete Doherty and Feargal Sharkey. I can't see the resemblence. I can't see Pete having a dip at ballads or the Shark having honked onto the crack cocaine.
Posted by: Adam 1.0 | 19 January 2005 at 13:48
I couldn't see "The Undertones" Feargal Sharkey doing "A Good Heart" Feargal Sharkey.
Echoes of Paul Weller there, Adam. Hmmmmmmmmm.
Posted by: Tony.T | 19 January 2005 at 14:01
didn't Paul Weller lose the plot with the Style Council ?
Posted by: Brett Pee | 21 January 2005 at 05:15
Indeed he did. Adam doesn't think so, though.
Posted by: Tony.T | 21 January 2005 at 16:31
Looks like Doherty has lost it big time going by some recent Piccies. Eyes rolling out of his drugged up head- lost it big time. Heading for the big dealer in the sky. Showed he could actually sing in the Libertines- his new band are a shambles.
Posted by: Brett Pee | 04 February 2005 at 04:53