The new Libertines album Anthems for Doomed Youth has been at the heart of alternative rockers’ anticipation for what seems to be forever. As the first full-length record the band have released in 11 years, the pressure was on to see if they could maintain the charm they built with classic songs like 'Can’t Stand Me Now' and 'Time For Heroes' between 2002 and 2004.
Collaborations between Carl Barat and Peter Doherty have always been, and will always be, works of art - however the tone of this album is decidedly different from the releases of their younger days. Gone are the thrashy trashy ballads laced with poetry, drugs and youthful British mischief. A new door has opened to songs with deeper meaning, saturated in the nostalgia of the pair’s youthful companionship, and the painful memories of their many fallings out, as demonstrated with the band breaking up and each lead singer launching their own bands; Carl with Dirty Pretty Things and Peter with Babyshambles.
Although Anthems For Doomed Youth is a ‘more grown up’ version of their earlier songs, the essence of The Libertines has not diminished a bit. If anything it has flourished. This album presents a few slower songs which are embellished with the emotional lyrics penned by the band’s lead singers, yet the ‘Likely Lads’ cannot help but refer to their old ways with triumphant obscenities and playful teasing between Carl and Peter.In the deluxe edition four older songs have been reprised and round out the record.
Overall, Anthems for Doomed Youth is packed with incredible catchy songs typical of The Libertines, and shows that they are not just the partying British lads they grew so accustomed to be. Despite the long wait for this album, The Libertines have proven that they still have the grungy charisma they had in their early years, and still have the poetic charm which shot them to stardom. It was well worth the wait - and is hopefully not the last we will see of the Likely Lads.
