The Libertines Album: “The Libertines”

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Australian exclusive contains three bonus cuts--"France," "Never Never," and "I Got Sweets." <p>Hailed as England's answer to the Strokes, the Libertines do tread the same garage-y punk-pop path as their American brethren. Fuzzed-out guitars, ragged rock rhythms, and radiant hooks abound on their self-titled sophomore effort, as on their debut, UP THE BRACKET. But while the Stooges and NUGGETS-style raunch can be heard, it is the influence of native ancestors that distinguishes the band's music. Traces of the Kinks, and early Beatles and Rolling Stones can be heard ("Don't Be Shy"), as well as cheeky '50s throwbacks ("What Katie Did"), lager-fueled pub rockers ("Tomblands"), and arch social satire ("The Man Who Would Be King") <p>Another key to the Libertines' success is their use of dynamics. While THE LIBERTINES rocks, it does so in a low-key, understated way. "Music When the Lights Go Out," driven by acoustic guitar, alternates dreamy, ambling verses with a punchy refrain. The minor-key rocker "Last Post on the Bugle" is so gently melodic that its edge seems incidental. There are exceptions, of course, as on the old-school punk thrash of "Arbeit Macht Frei." Appealing and familiar, yet freshly presented, THE LIBERTINES is a very strong entry in the garage revival of the early 2000s.