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Up the Bracket

The Libertines - Up the Bracket Audio CD

A fair review of the The Libertines "Up the Bracket" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Libertines reviews here, or go back to the The Libertines tabs.

Band: The Libertines
Title: Up the Bracket
Rating:

Release Date: 2005-01-25
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 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: Boy Looked at Johnny 10: Begging 11: Good Old Days 12: I Get Along

My Review as on punknews.....
The difference, however, is that the Strokes still lean more often than not towards power-pop while the Libertines are punk-pop. What the Strokes' first album, Is This It? is to achieving American post-punk revival in the mainstream, Up the Bracket by the Libertines is the British equivalent of this mainstream punk resurgence. Although this revival is done in such a way that it does not so much as lift from the past than tribute it by using the framework molded by such bands as the Jam and the Buzzcocks.

The best element at the Libertines' disposal may also be their worst enemy: the way that they can work a classic hook, or a superb chorus into a song, without forcing it on the listener, but rather inviting it. In other words, the pop elements are not overdone; and that, my friend, is what true pop-punk is about: not overdoing one or the other of the two genres. The bad side to this is that the Libertines can do this so swiftly that after a while that their attuned racket becomes predictable. As often they stick to a formula, although it may be their own formula, it's a formula nonetheless, and that renders it unsurprising.

Songs such as the opener, "Vertigo," and "Death on the Stairs," are both rising and melodic, featuring a nice drum stomp to them, and the third song, "Horrorshow," is a swaggering hard rocker. Yet, soon after that point, the album briefly takes a downturn. "Time for Heroes" and "Boys in the Band" may be even better than the average good song, yet they are also placed at a point in the album in which they should be filled with more ideas, instead of recycling the last few tracks' glories.

Yet, after the worst song on the album, in the un-kinetic, uninteresting and most of all sleepy "Radio America" comes the best song on the album, the trailblazing title track. This is the best example of everything that makes the Libertines work. With its chorus that is as head-boppin' and foot-tapping as it is rockin`, to the blitz dynamics of the band at its apex in knowing when to cut it loose and rock out. In the midst of it all is the slurring vocal of Pete Doherty, adding to the stylistic pot to make it a perfect song. This song, as well as pretty much the whole album, also shows the band as great songwriters. They may not always be poets, but they are indeed talented lyricists.

Unlike "Radio America," the similar slow-esque "Tell the King" shows the Libertines can work up a good amount of mood when they want to. Another standout track is " The Good Old Days," which provides both mood and rave-ups in the span of only three minutes.

Whether or not you have the bonus track editions or not (as some new editions have the single "What a Waster" and another song called "Mayday" that is unlisted on the artwork), the rest of the album is rather like the aforementioned tracks ("Time for Heroes" and "Boys in the Band"). They may work, but also do not take the band in any more unique directions for both them and the listener.

That is the Libertines in a nutshell: glory, glory, and hallelujah!

**** (Out of 5).

You can listen to it over and over......
After a month of the musical doldrums brought on by Joe Stummer's untimely death, the music of the Libertines has lifted my spirits. This CD has hardly left my CD player for the past month. Their music has tremendous energy that recalls The Clash's London Calling era and The Jam. Produced by Mick Jones, he has left his mark all over it. If we can't have the Clash, at least they left some great followers in the Libertines.

Absolute Gem
Give it time and they'll be playing sold out venues in the US. A great listen all the way through.

Two Crooked Fingers I Show, oh the Horror
Like the Santa Ana winds blew the stale smell of cigarettes and greasy chips in my face while watching episodes of "The Young Ones" in my bedroom adorned with old Jam posters. Ah, the Libertines. Ok, I was trying to get a vibe across. If you need it in spoon fed pap form. . . think Supergrass meets The Strokes produced by Paul Weller back in the Jam heyday. I got this cd in Tokyo and man did a big painful smile come across my face. From track one "Vertigo" all the way to track 12 "I get Along" which really busted me up since that track was also on their debut single "What a Waster". Although I loved Waster, I really thought "I get Along" was the killer track. Here, it has been slightly redone and has never sounded better. I can see how people might write these guys off as Jam rip-offs etc. But I see them as being more clever and cheeky for that. The lyrics are way better than they need to be and the craftsmanship is apparent in it's rawness and clarity. nothing overdone and overdubbed. Simply perfect if you ask me and since you won't, get this cd and judge for yourself. If you like these guys and wanna expand your brit-rock horizons may I offer up these deserving bands. . . 1. The Datsuns"The Datsuns" 2. V Twin"The Blues is a Mindfield" 3. The Coral "The Coral" 4. Radio 4 5. Ikara Colt 6. The Beatings.

Heard the band in concert...
It was like seeing the Ramones for the first time. Although I do not yet have the CD for these guys, I did just see them in concert, and all I can say is WOW!! They opened for Morrissey, and blew the crowd away. I hope this is the start of a new musical renaissance, which sees boybands and manufactured music fade, and a livelier music scene happen, with original sounds and high energy lyrics! If you like your music rebellious, in which you can ride along the tide of rebellion with the band rather than having it thrust in your face, this is your scene! Put this music to the test if you are about to hit the highway, the powder in the mountains, or bike through a canyon of double-decker buses! The party has begun-grab your leather jacket and hightops, and jump into the crowd!.

You can see a complete list of all The Libertines discography, or go back to the The Libertines tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.