Can Up the Bracket, the debut album from London dandies The Libertines live up to the hype? Sure, they walk the walk: it's hard to see how four doe-eyed indie dreamboats with greasy hair, cider-stained leather jackets and a wide-eyed mythology that places them as chivalrous defenders of Old Albion could fail to capture the attention of a nation of students dead-set on aping the Strokes' sense of louche retro-cool.

Certainly, though, there's some fine pedigree to Up the Bracket. With the Clash's Mick Jones at the production helm, gravelly tracks such as "Horror Show" and "The Boy Looked at Johnny" rattle along like phlegmy first-gen punk classics. But like the Strokes, The Libertines manage to imbue snotty garage-rock with a sort of wistful romanticism--an effect that adds genuine soul to their raucous clatter. Although there's no sign of "What a Waster", the snotty single with which the group made their name, there's no shortage of excellent tunes here: "Boys in the Band" is an affectionate hymn to the groupie, with frontmen Pete Doherty and Carl Barat hollering "And they all get 'em out / For the boys in the band". "I Get Along" proves that behind their shambolic veneer these boys have an eye for a tight, nervy but undeniably classic songwriting style that pricks memories of the Jam or the Buzzcocks. Very, very promising. --Louis Pattison

Not since the 'Clash' or 'Reservoir Dogs' has a debut been so good, seriously this album is near to perfection; something that has only been achieved by their self titled second album. If you have reservations due the media's portrayal of 'Doherty' ignore them and buy this regardless... and then buy the second album.

This is without a doubt the best album of the 21st century thus far. Doherty and Barat compliment each other so very perfectly, creating one of the all-time great raucous rock'n'roll songwriting partnerships. There isn't quite anything as endearing as Doherty's yelps, while there certainly hasn't been anyone as god damn cool as Barat since a certain Mr. Johnny Marr.
Other than this the lyrics are fantastic and the music very good, with the raw style of Mick Jones' production giving the band their unique sound- as if they are going to jump out of your Cd player, trash your room then probably shag your girlfriend.
Do not listen to this with any preconceptions of a 'Potty Pete' tabloid figure, as before all of the Kate Moss saga he was making some pretty amazing music. What a Waster indeed.

The Libertines were really, really good. This, the first of their two albums, is loud, raucous and brilliant. Like so many truly great bands, the Libertines were based on two songwriters whose abilities complimented each other, both by tempering and encouraging the right tendencies in each other, and by providing a large number of quality songs in order to create here a solidly excellent album.

For me, the highlights are title track Up The Bracket, Time For Heroes (as anthemic as they get, and packed full of fantastic lyrics - 'no more depressing sight than that of an English man in a baseball cap'), and closer I Get Along, which bangs and bounces the album to it's we'll-do-whatever-the-hell-we-want climax.

For me, this became the third really important and truly great album released since the start of the 90s (following key offerings from Radiohead and Oasis). For some reason, it wasn't met with the same commercial success, which is strange, as the songs here are of the highest order. Full of power and attitude, but with a sly intelligence and the class of lyrics that most bands can only dream of.

I can't recommend this album enough.

This is possible my favourite album of all time from my favourite band of all time. A true masterpiece of modern rock music, forget the others this is the only band to listen to.

Starting off with an instant classic Vertigo and this album doesn't stop giving, Time For Heroes is another that will live on in the memory to all that hear it. Up The Bracket is another song that will stay with you for a while as is Good Old Days which is possible my favourite song from either Libertines album.

This is a 5 star album without doubt. Buy it now.

what an album!
many bands would kill to have wrote any one of these songs, the entire album is very strong and there are no 'album tracks'(you know the ones, only there to make up numbers) the only remotly weak track is radio america and yet without it the album wouldn't quite be the same.
I got this album about a week after it came out (that seems a lifetmie ago but it was only about 5 yrs ago) and there is rarely more than 3 days go by that i don't listen to it.
don't take my word for it.
listen.
appreciate.
love.
or hate.
But don't let it slip past you.