The Libertines
Up The Bracket

London, 14 October 2002. The debut album by "The Libertines", "Up the Bracket", is released.

The new rock wave of the early 2000s needed an English band to counter the New Yorkers, The Strokes. The Libs are therefore the right band, in the right place at the right time.

The production is entrusted to Mick Jones, the historic guitarist of "The Clash", who at the end of the 70s had brought English punk to its highest and most noble level with the unforgettable "London Calling".

The sound of The Libertines is very direct. The album seems recorded in a rehearsal room and immediately offers a listening immediacy and communicative effectiveness in perfect rock'n'roll style. The formula is simple, two guitars and two voices, bass, and drums.

The album offers some high-level tracks, "Death on the Stairs", "Time for Heroes", "Boys in the Band" and "I Get Along" above all. The vocals alternate between Pete Doherty's carefree, languid, and almost offbeat style and Carl Baràt's more gritty and rock'n'roll style.

The result is a truly interesting album both musically (albeit without inventing anything) and melodically; a debut album that establishes them as the new English "next big thing".