TheCellarTapes

The Libertines - Up The Bracket
(2002)



Tracks

1 Vertigo 2:38
2 Death on the Stairs 3:24
3 Horrorshow 2:34
4 Time for Heroes 2:40
5 Boys in the Band 3:42
6 Radio America 3:44
7 Up the Bracket 2:38
8 Tell the King 3:24
9 The Boy Looked at Johnny 2:38
10 Begging 3:20
11 The Good Old Days 2:59
12 I Get Along 2:52

In the early 2000’s, it was very difficult to not pick up a copy of the NME or Q Magazine without catching some mention of The Libertines on the front cover, a band who really did capture the imaginations of an entire generation of British youngsters, with the legend first beginning with their debut single What a Waster, and a staggeringly dazzling debut LP in 2002.

Up The Bracket released on Rough Trade in late 2002, was really Britain’s first proper response to the recent dominance of American acts like The Strokes and The White Stripes on the world stage, and what an extraordinary debut it was. Produced by Clash guitarist and legend of British Punk Mick Jones, this album marked a revival in fortunes for the British scene, moving away from the ballad drivel left in the wake of (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? towards a more livelier and electric take on how music should be.

Driven by the talented song writing team of Peter Doherty and Carl Barât, The Libertines begin their inspired debut with the track Vertigo, setting the listener up nicely for one of the most unfailing albums ever made. The constant nature of the album continues with Death on The Stairs and the barraging Horror Show, one of the most under appreciated songs from the album I feel, with Pete Doherty giving a fine performance.

Track four, Time for Heroes, is probably one of the most quintessential Libertines songs on this record, this song is not really about the tune but once again is more about the lyrics and vocals of Doherty. Track five is the stomping Boys in The Band and firmly pins Barât’s credentials to this album, this song cannot help but be instantly memorable.

Radio America is very different to the previous five songs on this album and shows another string to the Libertines’ bow, it is an acoustic song with Doherty giving a beautiful and lingering performance, the same can be said of Doherty’s performance for track eight, with a helping hand from Barât, Tell The King is simply gorgeous. In-between these beauties is track seven, which thrillingly takes us back to the typical energizing Libertines which by now we’re used too; Up The Bracket is a seriously pounding and exciting number.



As The Libertines are London lads, the ****ney elements does sometimes creep into their music, and that certainly can be said of the belting The Boy Looked at Johnny, which is what a hybrid of The Kinks and The Clash would probably have sounded like.

The last three songs on this record are in themselves gems, particular track twelve, the magnificent The Good Old Days and the finale, I Get Along, rounding off this masterpiece nicely.

The striking thing about this record is the consistency of it; there really is not one bad song to be found on this album. It’s also worth pointing out, that like with all landmark albums from over the decades, they really do come out of nowhere and scream era defining, this album is undoubtedly one of those culture shifters.

With Up The Bracket we have an album which invokes a bygone age when British music really was something to behold, something which was missing from British music in 2002, safe to say we are probably due a similar kick right about now.

Piss Me Off

I bloody adore this album, one of the main albums which introduced me to the earlier british greats like the Smiths, Kinks and whatnot. It's not the coolest album to say you like but who cares, it's great, upbeat knees-up music.

__________________


Last FM
Rate Yr Music
Muxtape

jackhammer

Never even heard it

__________________

Schizotypic

Wow, sounds like a collision of some great artists. I'll have to check them out sometime, definitely. Good review.

Dustyneon

Love this album, one of my favorites by far. Every song is excellent, wouldn't change a thing. The Libertines were an amazing band.

Urban Hat€monger ?

I think of it more as a blip than a kick up the arse. It didn't take long for me to get bored of it.

__________________

Husky McDump

I was just introduced to this group a few days ago, really enjoying them.

__________________
not everyone can make it to the pros,
some rise to the top, others down low.

music_phantom13

What?!?! Jackhammer, you disappoint me. When you get up tomorrow/get off work (not sure what time it is for you now) you need to go straight to a store or itunes or something and listen to this cd. Definitely in my top 20. A great depiction of some marvelous British music by a fantastic band. Sounds like a cross of garage rock revival and some old school punk. Listen to this now.

DReills84

I love this album. I do prefer ''The Libertines'' though. They really were a breath of fresh air when they came around. The first band in ages to embrace the fans and their audience, encouraging crowd paricipation and whatnot!
Not to mention some cracking tunes!

Sneer

The Libertines are a band of which its pretty cool to **** on amongst the music elitists, liking a band that the scenesters like? Ew.

This album And the eponymous follow up are excellent, but Up The Bracket will always be my favourite for the impact it had on me. Everyone has that album that changed their life, this it for me. I was 14 when it came out and it knocked me for six. Good review and i agree with almost all of it.

__________________
Fright Team radio show