In June 2002 the sensational debut single What A Waster by the English quartet The Libertines was released. Immediately the whole country was in turmoil, with the journalists from NME leading the way. The Libertines were called the one and only English answer to the American Strokes. We are now a few months later and finally the long-awaited debut album Up The Bracket is released. The first thing
… that strikes you is that What A Waster is missing. The second striking fact is that the producer of that first single (ex-Suede Bernard Butler) is nowhere to be found. The entire album was produced by veteran Mick Jones (The Clash). This probably fulfilled a boyhood dream, because The Libertines are clearly influenced by The Clash. Furthermore, they alternately sound like The Jam, The Smiths, The Stray Cats and (yes) The Strokes. It is an energetic, exciting and joyful record that brings you to twelve classic pop songs in exactly thirty-six minutes. The comical la la la choir in The Boy Looked At Johnny and the hilarious primal cry at the beginning of the title track also indicate that The Libertines just have fun making music. With that attitude it cannot be otherwise or we will have a lot of fun with this fun, enthusiastic band. (MvP) With that attitude it cannot be otherwise or we will have a lot of fun with this fun, enthusiastic band. (MvP) With that attitude it cannot be otherwise or we will have a lot of fun with this fun, enthusiastic band. (MvP)more
