The Libertines - Anthems For Doomed Youth (Album Review)
Friday, 18 September 2015
Written by Milly McMahon
The Libertines’ lyrical prowess is as impressive today as it was way back then, before they disappeared. Having encapsulated the moment that cracked open a revelatory Pandora’s box of raw, British rock ‘n’ roll spunk for a generation disenchanted with auto-tuned, Photoshopped pop, the unlikely lads, Pete Doherty and Carl Barât, remain steadfastly anti-commercial domineers of modern chart music.
Informed by rumours, drug problems and rehab stints, the winding road to ‘Anthems For Doomed Youth’ has resulted in them shunning haters with this, their most progressive album to date.
Reinterpreting the punk-infused storm that typified their sound from day one, the Libertines’ attitude remains as infectious as ever. Their decade of silence has culminated in a more mature, insightful album, seemingly unaffected by the outside pressures of age, time, genre, trend and the press.
The standout track, Iceman, is a ditty about a couple freshly moved to London, but one recorded in Thailand that opens with the sound of the sea lapping at the shore. Doherty’s personal favourite from the album, it’s very reminiscent of some ‘00s Babyshambles lullaby, the childlike style warm but vulnerable.
Heart of the Matter is evocative of ‘Up The Bracket’. The youthful, imperfect naivety that typifies the Libertines’ music is present, channelled through Pete and Carl’s collaborative lyrics, synchronised, fast-moving guitar riffs and epic, thrashing drums.
This is the Libertines comeback the world willed but never believed could plausibly happen. After the tragic death of Amy Winehouse and the recent anniversary of her passing, the release of ‘Anthems For Doomed Youth’ feels like a poignant achievement for two boys who first began making music inbetween partying, to just avoid getting a job.
Glasgow Coma Scale Blues is the kind of track only Carl and Pete could own. Likening the band to Kings of Leon at the height of their garage rock fame, there is a familiar cohesion to the turbulent whirlwind of romance conjured. Love is the lyrical focus of this album, while anarchy looms and hedonism is recognised but not capitalised upon.
This, therefore, marks a new age of the Libertines, cleverly flipping the focus from a doomed, whiskey-stained existence to a poetic perspective on life, passion, free will and self actualisation. Both boys have lived fast and hard, re-emerging as men.
Produced by Jake Gosling - of Ed Shereen and One Direction fame - the clearer and more direct polish ‘Anthems For Doomed Youth’ fronts will appeal to a younger, digital crowd while satisfying the die hards. The Libertines have reinvented the impossible and presented a new classic.
The Libertines Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Thu January 21 2016 - GLASGOW SSE Hydro
Sat January 23 2016 - MANCHESTER Arena
Mon January 25 2016 - NOTTINGHAM Capital FM Arena
Tue January 26 2016 - CARDIFF Motorpoint Arena
Wed January 27 2016 - BIRMINGHAM Barclaycard Arena
Fri January 29 2016 - BOURNEMOUTH BIC
Sat January 30 2016 - LONDON O2 Arena
Click here to compare & buy The Libertines Tickets at Stereoboard.com.
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
.jpg)
![Bad Omens Detail 26-Track 'Concrete Jungle [The OST]' Project, Share New Track The Drain](http://cdn1.stereoboard.com/images/artistimages/50/tn_bad-omens.jpg)
