The Libertines - The Libertines

Genre rock Publisher Rough Trade External Links Rough Trade Records

Imagine an alternate universe in which Sid and Nancy lived long enough for John Lydon to rail against his and Sid's screwed-up friendship in song, and you'll get an idea of what this dynamite British quartet has accomplished on their second record. Granted, Peter Doherty hasn't knifed anyone, but his drug travails have forced his bandmates into a cycle of kicking him out of the band when he goes on a bender, then bringing him back in the fold when he "cleans up." News of Doherty robbing the flat of his best mate and co-bandleader Carl Barat put a question mark over this band's status, but two months of prison time for one of the principals can't keep this band from rocking. In fact, Barat and Doherty use the majority of the album to sing to each other with the kind of candor and self-knowledge rare even amongst rock and rollers. "Can't Stand Me Now," the lead cut and one of the best singles of the year, begins with Barat moaning, "An ending fitting for the start/You twist and tore our love apart," and Doherty replying, "No, you've got it the wrong way round/You shut me up and blamed it on the brown."

Doherty later crowns himself "The Man Who Would Be King" and climaxes the harrowing "The Saga" by sputtering, "I ain't got a problem/It's YOU with the problem." This paves the way for the self-explanatory "Road to Ruin" and the tragicomic "What Became of the Likely Lads," in which said lads ironically observe, "If you pipe all summer long/Then get forgiven in a song/Well that's a touch, my lad." Of course, they've got their own fatalistic answers to that song's titular question, and for all we know they could be right. But for now they've miraculously beaten the sophomore slump -- which is more than even the Sex Pistols can claim.