Tales of dodgy characters, chancers, loves lost and won all set to raucous rock n roll energy, yes it’s the return of The Libertines! It may have been nine years since the last Libertines album, yet all hasn’t been quiet on the good ship Albion. Numerous documentaries and solo projects have kept the foursome busy, and a few years ago you could have more chance betting on the Daleks to win the next general election that than a new Libertines album coming out, but against all the odds ‘All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’ is finally here.
The first thing you notice is a sense of rekindled joy which seems to pierce through the whole album, a playful way with lyrics, free flowing melodies and a greater desire for epic sounding arrangements, especially on ‘Mustangs’ with it’s tale of Tracey living her life under “dishwater skies” and “riding Mustangs through her dreams”. Not that there aren’t tales of peril, shenanigans and heartache racing through the album, a defining Libertines lyrical stamp, yet there’s an upbeat swagger pulsating through ‘All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’. There’s a subtle splendour to tracks like ‘Man With The Melody‘ and ‘Night Of The Hunter’ when they take the foot of the accelerator and deliver a slower, but no less intense melody, this time soaring with orchestration and adding to the overall beauty of the whole tune.
The band gelled once again, following writing sessions by Carl Barat and Pete Doherty in Port Antonio, Jamaica before reconvening with John Hassall (bass) and Gary Powell (drums) at The Albion Rooms in Margate. As seems fitting with The Libertines momentum at the time, the songs were recorded in just four weeks and seem to have benefitted from a renewed focus on songcraft and a nine years worth of Libs tunes in the locker to choose from.
It makes sings such as ‘Oh Shit’ a thrill seeking blast on your eardrums from the first note. Elsewhere ‘Baron’s Claw’ has a New Orleans big band swing feel to its dark tale, and ‘Shiver’ finds them reflecting on “reasons to stay alive and not to die at twenty five” set against catchy guitar melodies.
The good ship Albion may previously have sailed in many stormy seas, yet it seems to be residing happily in calmer waters, albeit with feisty, tempestuous undercurrents always lurking not too far away. ‘All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade’ has all of the excitement which made this band so compelling in the first place yet also marks a new era in The Libertines ever evolving tale. A focused, re-energised band, back and still burning with a visceral rock n’ roll heart.
The Libertines: All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade – Out 5th April 2024 (EMI)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idv8E-cg-us
From the early days of creating handmade zines, in a DIY paper and glue style, interviewing bands around town, then pestering Piccadilly Records to sell them, to writing for various independent mags such as Chimp and Ablaze, writing about the music I love is still a great passion. After testing the music industry waters in London with stints at various labels, being back in my hometown again, writing about this city’s vibrant music scene is as exciting as ever. All time favourite bands include Sonic Youth, Nick Cave, Patti Smith although anything from electro to folk via blues and pysch rock will also do nicely too. A great album, is simply a great album, regardless of whatever musical cage you put it in.
