2008 Woodie Awards
The Libertines: Volatile Music From a Volatile Band
Brian O'Conner
Issue date: 9/29/04 Section: Arts & Entertainment
Through scandalized bouts with drug addiction, overbearing media exposure, and just about every other consequence of musical excess, The Libertines found time to come out with a follow-u to their successful debut Up the Bracket.
Although the story behind this London-based band sounds like the fodder for VH1's Behind the Music series, the Libertines back up the hype and media attention they receive with music that heralds back to the Briish punk explosion experienced during the mid-seventies. The Libertines hearken back to bands like The Sex Pistols and the Clash, while infusing tongue-in-cheek vocals reminiscent of Iggy Pop and the Stooges. With jangled guitars, oft-incoherent singing, nd bright melodies, The Libertines borrow the sounds of earlier eras without directly exploiting the works of their predecessors; songs like "Can't Stop Me Now" and "Arbreit Mach Frei" keep the pace of the album going, and keep the listener's adrenaline fowing. While the album falls into incoherent, sloppy rants, at times, it is peppered with high-energy songs and riffs that keep the album from washing into a soundtrack of drunken days and strung out nights.
Produced by former Clash guitarist Mick Jones, he Libertines juxtapose love with vice, blurring the line that divides relationships from dependence and romance to drug addiction. The album changes musical style on nearly every song, although the lyrics share similar themes. Creating a follow-up album fter a popular debut is difficult for many bands, forcing tons of bands to fade into obscurity. Unlike many of their peers, the
Libertines created a successful follow-up to a widely acclaimed album with another powerful release. The Libertines blend the ockiness of seventies British rock, the sloppiness of New York City's post-punk scene, and the liquor-washed vocals from a voice that sounds like it witnessed too many last calls at the local pub. Through varied elements, some being relatively simplistic,the Libertines created an enjoyable and ambitious album.
Although the story behind this London-based band sounds like the fodder for VH1's Behind the Music series, the Libertines back up the hype and media attention they receive with music that heralds back to the Briish punk explosion experienced during the mid-seventies. The Libertines hearken back to bands like The Sex Pistols and the Clash, while infusing tongue-in-cheek vocals reminiscent of Iggy Pop and the Stooges. With jangled guitars, oft-incoherent singing, nd bright melodies, The Libertines borrow the sounds of earlier eras without directly exploiting the works of their predecessors; songs like "Can't Stop Me Now" and "Arbreit Mach Frei" keep the pace of the album going, and keep the listener's adrenaline fowing. While the album falls into incoherent, sloppy rants, at times, it is peppered with high-energy songs and riffs that keep the album from washing into a soundtrack of drunken days and strung out nights.
Produced by former Clash guitarist Mick Jones, he Libertines juxtapose love with vice, blurring the line that divides relationships from dependence and romance to drug addiction. The album changes musical style on nearly every song, although the lyrics share similar themes. Creating a follow-up album fter a popular debut is difficult for many bands, forcing tons of bands to fade into obscurity. Unlike many of their peers, the
Libertines created a successful follow-up to a widely acclaimed album with another powerful release. The Libertines blend the ockiness of seventies British rock, the sloppiness of New York City's post-punk scene, and the liquor-washed vocals from a voice that sounds like it witnessed too many last calls at the local pub. Through varied elements, some being relatively simplistic,the Libertines created an enjoyable and ambitious album.