New Libertines

[YanksFC]

Released today. Anyone heard it yet? I'm expecting a review from nancyb any day now.

[sch2383]

Released today. Anyone heard it yet? I'm expecting a review from nancyb any day now.
The thing about this album is that it means a whole lot more if you know what had been going on between Doherty and Barat since Up the Bracket came out. It makes the opening versus to "Can't Stand Me Now" all the more meaningful:

Barat:
An ending fitting for the start
You twisted and tore our love apart
Your light fingers through the dark
Shattered the lamp into darkness, they cast us all

Doherty:
No, you've got it the wrong way round
You shut me up, and blamed it on the brown
Cornered the boy, kicked out at the world
The world kicked back a lot ********ing harder now

and those are the opening words of the entire album. It stays along the same lines. The thing about this album is that it would recieve a much higher rating if it was made by another band, any other band. But the potential for the Libertines is so much higher than just about every other band I can think of, they must be judged against that.

[nancyb]

Released today. Anyone heard it yet? I'm expecting a review from nancyb any day now.

I'm waiting for Footix to weigh in. :p

[Footix]

I'm waiting for Footix to weigh in. :p

Then here you go:

I like it a lot. I've been following Pete & Carl's exploits pretty closely, so this record is kind of like a documentary. It sounds a bit unfinished, probably because of Pete's absence for most of the recording, but it's still pretty powerful (and catchy, too...under the noise of most Libertines songs are really well written pop tunes).

I've been reading Pete's periodic postings at his babyshambles.com website, which are terribly interesting and compelling...for someone who is alleged to be days from death because of his smack addiction, some of his thoughts seem to be incredibly lucid and poetic.

I can't wait for this record to be on the streets a few more days so I can Google the phrases "Libertines" "new album" and "shambolic" together to see how many critics took the easy route.

[nancyb]

I can't wait for this record to be on the streets a few more days so I can Google the phrases "Libertines" "new album" and "shambolic" together to see how many critics took the easy route.

Sounds good to me. Maybe I need to run out to Tower today. :D

[YanksFC]

Then here you go:

I like it a lot. I've been following Pete & Carl's exploits pretty closely, so this record is kind of like a documentary. It sounds a bit unfinished, probably because of Pete's absence for most of the recording, but it's still pretty powerful (and catchy, too...under the noise of most Libertines songs are really well written pop tunes).

I've been reading Pete's periodic postings at his babyshambles.com website, which are terribly interesting and compelling...for someone who is alleged to be days from death because of his smack addiction, some of his thoughts seem to be incredibly lucid and poetic.

I can't wait for this record to be on the streets a few more days so I can Google the phrases "Libertines" "new album" and "shambolic" together to see how many critics took the easy route.

I haven't followed the story all that closely. I was merely aware that one of the band members had a drug problem. I'm going to have to read up more.

[Footix]

I haven't followed the story all that closely. I was merely aware that one of the band members had a drug problem. I'm going to have to read up more.

NME.com reports on them like it's a TV reality show. Sad but interesting.

[sch2383]

I haven't followed the story all that closely. I was merely aware that one of the band members had a drug problem. I'm going to have to read up more.
To say he has a drug problem is like saying Sigi is fat...it just doesn't really describe what is going on.

From what I remember he got hooked on crack and heroin, spent his money on that, robbed a bandmates flat to get money to buy said drugs, spent an extended period of time in jail/rehab, got out and got back on drugs, refuses to admit to his problem, created his own band and preforms various solo shows to fuel habit and in one interview was walking up the street with the interviewer while checking for change in phone booths.

And that was stuff I read from the Guardian, which is pretty tame when compared to the rags that count as papers over there.

Edit: This is probably the best cliff notes version of events: http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/fridayreview/story/0,,1271605,00.html

[Footix]

refuses to admit to his problem,

Actually, he's surprisingly upfront about the drug stuff. Check the archives at babyshambles.com, and you'll read some pretty personal ramblings about his battles.

[YanksFC]

To say he has a drug problem is like saying Sigi is fat...it just doesn't really describe what is going on.

From what I remember he got hooked on crack and heroin, spent his money on that, robbed a bandmates flat to get money to buy said drugs, spent an extended period of time in jail/rehab, got out and got back on drugs, refuses to admit to his problem, created his own band and preforms various solo shows to fuel habit and in one interview was walking up the street with the interviewer while checking for change in phone booths.

And that was stuff I read from the Guardian, which is pretty tame when compared to the rags that count as papers over there.

Edit: This is probably the best cliff notes version of events: http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/fridayreview/story/0,,1271605,00.html

Wow. Thanks for the link.

Crack and smack. Nasty. I hate to say it, but people like Doherty never clean up. I would be surprised if he's ever able to make a successful go with the band in the future.

[nancyb]

I bought it and like it. It's definitely rougher than the first go round, which is a bit hard to imagine. The cover is sort of disturbing. Like they're studying track marks before engaging in sex.
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B0002L581I.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg

[BlueMeanie]

Good article detailing their "issues" in the latest Blender magazine, too.

I noticed they're allegedly playing SF on 10/4; anyone know if Pete's playing? I mean, I know he's supposedly near death, but that hasn't stopped him before. Then again, he might stay behind and rob Barat's flat again.

[Footix]

I noticed they're allegedly playing SF on 10/4; anyone know if Pete's playing? I mean, I know he's supposedly near death, but that hasn't stopped him before. Then again, he might stay behind and rob Barat's flat again.

Nah, he's not playing here. He's got some solo gigs lined up in England in the next few weeks, though.

[nancyb]

Nah, he's not playing here. He's got some solo gigs lined up in England in the next few weeks, though.

So, is their stage show any good these days? I've never seen them live, but I'd like to.

[Footix]

So, is their stage show any good these days? I've never seen them live, but I'd like to.

I saw them in both incarnations when they toured the first record...they were a beautiful mess with Pete at CBGB, but were much tighter and serious without him at the larger Irving Plaza a few months later. They were still pretty good, but I think I preferred the sloppier bar-band version.

I think I'll pass on them this time through, but if Radio 4 is opening for them down there as they are here, I'm betting you'll enjoy both bands. R4 is NYC's new-millenium Gang Of Four, and WILL make you dance...standing still is not an option.

[nancyb]

I saw them in both incarnations when they toured the first record...they were a beautiful mess with Pete at CBGB, but were much tighter and serious without him at the larger Irving Plaza a few months later. They were still pretty good, but I think I preferred the sloppier bar-band version.

I think I'll pass on them this time through, but if Radio 4 is opening for them down there as they are here, I'm betting you'll enjoy both bands. R4 is NYC's new-millenium Gang Of Four, and WILL make you dance...standing still is not an option.

Radio 4 is opening for them here in DC.

[sch2383]

So, is their stage show any good these days? I've never seen them live, but I'd like to.
They are playing at the 9:30 Club on October 19th. I would be there, but I am stuck in Williamsburg with midterms that day.

[nancyb]

I'd just like to say that after listening to their new cd about 3 times I like it a lot. What Katie Did and The Saga are great.

[YanksFC]

I think I'll pass on them this time through, but if Radio 4 is opening for them down there as they are here, I'm betting you'll enjoy both bands. R4 is NYC's new-millenium Gang Of Four, and WILL make you dance...standing still is not an option.

Short thread-jack here -- I loooooooove Gotham!.

[nancyb]

Let me say one thing now. Their bass player absolutely rocks. The cd is worth it just to listen to him.