Up The Bracket Review

Released: 2002
Genre: Rock
Styles: Indie Rock, Punk Revival, Garage Rock Revival, Britpop
Number Of Tracks: 12
Punk poets, lagered-up lads, London hipsters ? the Libertines play many different roles on Up the Bracket, all of which suit them to a T.

Sound:	9.5
Lyrics:	9.5
Impression:	9.7
Overall rating:	9.6
Users rating:	9.8
Comments:	10

overall: 10

Featured review by: the-indie-kid, on march 16, 2005

Sound: This is definately one of my favourite albums of all time. Every song on the album is incredible. The bands sound is pretty unique, but is British rock/indie basically. I think the band is from London, and both Barat and Doherty have great voices. I would say Barat and Doherty are an incredible song writing partnership. If I would compare them to anyone, it would be a cross between the Strokes and Razorlight, although I rate them higher than both bands. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Lyrics are fantastic, and fit perfectly with the guitar melodies. There is a great mix of slow and energetic songs. Both singers have great sounding voices. Lyrics are pretty heartfelt and often about the relationship between teh two frontmen which was pretty up and down, as I think Doherty robbed Barats flat once to pay for his drug addiction. // 10

Impression: I was lucky enough to catch these guys at Reading. Unfortunately, despite the rumours, there was no reunion between Doherty and the band. However, Barat recruited one of the members of one of his old bands to sing with him and they blew me away. They put on a mindblowing show, with songs from both albums. Highlight on this album is definately Up the Bracket, which is a fantastic song. Cannot compare the album to any others, apart from possible their second album, which is also fantastic. One of the reasons I love this album is that it is their debut, before they became big. Only thing I dislike is that Dont look back into the sun is on neither album, which is a fantastic song, check it out. Thought I lost this album last week and was in mourning. Would definately buy it again though. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: screwup30, on july 20, 2005

Sound: I love this album, its sounds great its got a really rough sound but it suits the band. Songs like the Horror Show really capture the rock n' roll spirit that is The Libertines. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics describe the bands trials, troubles and loves of the people they know and the surrounding area. The lyrics are matched only by Pete n' Carls beautiful yet slightly slurred singing. Every song is like a story and within that story are characters that you'll love and hate. // 10

Impression: If you want an album that has the essence of true rock n' roll and youth you will buy this. // 10

overall: 10

Reviewed by: Garf72, on february 08, 2008

Sound: Up the Bracket is a modern day classic in British music, on par with classics such as Sgt Peppers and London Calling. The band have been described as Post Punk revival and burst onto the scene in the early '00s along with other bands such as the Strokes and gained notoriety with the chemistry and tension between Carl Barat and Pete Doherty. Their sound recalls the Strokes as well as the Clash but they definetly have a sound of their own. It's hectic and passionate but never sloppy. The twin guitars of Barat and Doherty are very raw to say the least, John Hassall, the bass player plays well and actually does a lot for the overall sound by remaining in the background amid the chaos. Gary Powell is one of the most impressive drummers I've ever heard personally, and shines throughout the whole album, with fills and beats that would be a nightmare for a normal drummer. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: Lyrically, Up the Bracket defines gritty London's indie scene, as it was then and is now. The chemistry between frontmen Barat and Doherty is unlike any songwriting partnership in modern music with Carl's punk attitude and Pete's rich romanticism. The songs that stand out lyrically are Death on the Stairs, Time for Heroes (regarded as Doherty's best lyrics to date), Up the Bracket and the Good Old Days. Their styles complement one another as well as the way they're sung. Barat has a suave, almost swaggering style whereas Doherty slurs with passion. // 10

Impression: This is, personally one of my favourite albums of all time, having listened to it to an almost unhealthy level. Other albums just don't compare in terms of construction and conviction. Mick Jones produced, some say basically mic'ed the instruments and pressed record, but it gives the album it's raw energy that would have been lost in over-production. The songs most worth mentioning are Up the Bracket, the Good Old Days and What a Waster but the whole album has a definite flow and an unyeilding impact that I've never heard in an album before or since. It's a great album by a legendary band that dissolved quicker than it was formed, leaving a lasting impact not seen since the Sex Pistols. Their influence is still seen in indie bands today and will be for many years to come. // 10

overall: 8.3

Reviewed by: rawn, on january 13, 2007

Sound: The sound of late nights white bright on cocaine and shipwrecks in the dinge of East End flats from which stagger and emerge Dickension dreamers searching in all the wrong places for love and Arcadia. It was start of the millenium and old Oasis were dour and dull, Radiohead trapped in a future of electric bleeps and blips, and here they were, The Libertines, to save British rock. Hooray! Up The Bracket, their first and best album, is raw and energetic, barely produced by (former Clash) Mick Jones and bursting with live intensity. In the slower songs, such as Radio America, this produces an intimacy recollecting spontaneous bedroom gigs, while making the faster tracks all the more contagious and fun. // 8

Lyrics and Singing: Pete and Carl's voices compliment each other perfectly; Carl with his suave and cool as lou reed voice preventing Pete's drunken swirl of lyric from floating away on romantic notions and heroin. The lyrics are mostly tales of the dirty but divine Londen, with a sense of love and beauty smothered in filth and the frantic. As raw, but brilliant as the music. // 8

Impression: As an album it is far more complete than the follow up, the self-titled Libertines, which contained songs just as good but also songs that bored as filler. Up The Bracket captures the band at their best before fame was thrust upon them and Pete spiralled glassy-eyed into addiction and tabloid caricature. Here though, he has the talent to atone for that, and for a brief moment he really does seem so very charming and exciting; which is worth the price of the album alone. // 9

overall: 9

Reviewed by: wouldyakindly, on september 07, 2009

Sound: The Libertines are always bandied about as the original "noughties" indie pop band, which, having only heard Don't Look Back Into the Sun and Can't Stand Me Now I always assumed was the case. Nonetheless, Up The Bracket demonstrates that there is alot more to the Libertines than this.

The album opens with Vertigo, a straightforward rock number powered by a surf guitar lick that steadily builds into a maelstrom of jangling noise. It is in these kinds of songs that the libertines are in their element, energetic and defiant, but most of all, fun.

However, they have more tricks up their sleeves, as demonstrated by the slow and poignant Radio America or the vintage punk rock of I get Along (Mick Jones' influence coming through?). Then there's The Good Old Days, a song that is perhaps too epic for it's own good. // 9

Lyrics and Singing: As is the case for any indie fan, my expectations are high when it comes to lyrics, but Pete does not disappoint. Time For Heroes echoes with beautiful wordplays (we'll die in the class we were born, but that's a class of our own my love) and scathing observations (did you see the stylish kids in the riot?).

Elsewhere, the lyrics are equally powerful, with the chorus line of the Good Old days (it chars my heart to always hear you calling for the good old days, because there were no good old days) my personal Favourite.

At times, there are moments of pretension, in particular when the lyrics take a political or philosophical turn and the less said about "the good ship Albion" the better. These minor things aside, Up The Bracket contains lyrics that wouldn't look at all out of place in a book of poetry (apt considering Pete is a published poet). // 9

Impression: Considering the bland, uninspired dirge of landfill indie that followed in their wake, it is pleasantly surprising to find that The Libertines are both interesting and original. Not only are their songs at times quite unconventionally structured, but the Lo-Fi recording techniques add a fresh, DIY feel to their music that will remind many of a time when indie music was a distinctly underground affair.

Overall though, what really makes this album great is the youthful energy that drives every song (an energy that is completely missing from any of Pete's solo efforts) and for that reason alone, it's worth a listen. // 9

overall: 10

Reviewed by: nariek, on november 08, 2007

Sound: Upbeat indie rock, that is what this album is and sounds like. Every song on this album has a certain energy that I have not found in other bands of the same genre. Each song is carried by innovative guitar riffs and lairy vocals, caused by Pete and Carl's powerful singing, listen to the intro of 'Up the Bracket'. The two guitars blend well at the appropriate times, 'Good Old Days' but can also clearly separate, 'Death on the Stairs'. // 10

Lyrics and Singing: The lyrics throughout the album are deep and deal with more issues than just love and the general banter that is sung about nowadays. A lot of the lyrics are about the strife of being destitute and coming from the lower classes. I get the impression that a lot of the lyrics come about by living and looking at London life a little deeper than the ordinary citizen. Some of the lyrics one can only understand by living the colourful London life that The Libertines lived. Pete and Carl are both talented, unique singers who have no trouble projecting their voice; the projection that gives this album such emotion. // 10

Impression: Its very hard to say which album I prefer 'Up the Bracket' or 'The Libertines' each album has some stunning tracks, I couldn't live without both the albums. From 'Up the Bracket' I adore: Death on the Stairs, Time for Heroes, Up the bracket, Tell the king, Begging and Good Old Days. The other omitted songs are still very good. I have heard several times from several people in the past the arguement that they should put more time into the recording process and fine tuning various parts of the album. I however I disagree with these people on the grounds that imperfections truly show the attitude and personality of The Libertines as a band and individuals. They weren't perfect, they were high most of the time and when they weren't they were drunk and they all had various other serious issues besides the drugs and drink. I don't think there is a single thing I hate about this album, it's a pity they only did two (well three but the third soesn't count), it's a pity that their individual problems couldn't be dealt with so the band could continue. I am praying for a reunion in light of the 'Best of' album being released. What a reunion it would be, one which I would happily skip school for and pay an extortionate amount of money for! // 10

Comments

[LikelyLads]

Those electric bleeps and blips you refer to make up one hell of an album, and it's called Kid A.

[egroeg1]

nareek u suck

[blajano]

It would be a cross between the Strokes and Razorlight, although I rate them higher than both bands.

Libertines higher than the Strokes? Fuck off.

[potty_pete24]

the libertines kcik the p[ants off the strokes are you mental!

[schranz]

i hate this band there crap, crap album awful rubbish i cant say much more but there realy overated aswell

[schranz]

oh and strokes well dik over the libertines

[potty_pete24]

schranz your clearly insane

[clarkekentyboy]

Johnny Borrell was bassist of the 'Tines at one point and, Schranz, you can dik on the sex pistols yeah?

[clarkekentyboy]

Presumably you can dick on the Sex Pistols also, yes?

[luca.win]

Libertines higher than the Strokes? Fuck off.

****in' higher, i love the strokes, trust me, but...