The Libertines | ||||
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Studio album by The Libertines | ||||
Released | August 30, 2004 | |||
Recorded | Spring 2004 | |||
Genre | Garage rock revival, indie rock | |||
Length | 42:04 | |||
Label | Rough Trade | |||
Producer | Mick Jones | |||
The Libertines chronology | ||||
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Singles from The Libertines | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Aggregate scores | |
Source | Rating |
Metacritic | 80/100 |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Entertainment Weekly | C |
The Guardian | |
Mojo | |
NME | 9/10 |
Pitchfork Media | 7.1/10 |
Q | |
Rolling Stone | |
Spin | A− |
The Village Voice | A− |
The Libertines is the second album by English indie rock band The Libertines. Released on 30 August 2004, it is particularly biographical of the relationship between frontmen Carl Barât and Pete Doherty. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, selling 72,189 copies in its first week of release.
The album is included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. In 2006, NME placed the album 47 in a list of the greatest British albums ever. In 2013, NME ranked the album at number 99 in its list of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
The Libertines, like its 2002 predecessor, Up the Bracket, was re-released with a bonus DVD on 22 November 2004. The DVD, entitled Boys in the Band, is a collection of live shows, band interviews, and the "Can't Stand Me Now" promotional video.
The song "Arbeit Macht Frei" featured in the 2006 film Children of Men.
The album's front cover art features a photograph of Carl Barât and Pete Doherty taken by Roger Sargent during the emotional "Freedom Gig" at the Tap 'n' Tin club in Chatham, Kent, on 8 October 2003, when Doherty reunited with the Libertines for a gig just hours after being released from jail, where he was sentenced for breaking into Barât's flat and stealing various items, including an old guitar and a laptop computer. Doherty returned to the Tap 'n' Tin club on 20 December 2008 for a one-off gig with Chas & Dave.
Japanese bonus tracks
Australian bonus tracks
Japanese and Mexican bonus DVD
As well as the songs listed above, there is a hidden track, titled "France", composed by Barat, which starts at 3:28 of "What Became of the Likely Lads". A re-recording of an old Libertines song which originally appeared on one of their first demos, recorded at Odessa Studios, "France" was written and performed by Carl Barât. The final listed track is a nod to the British sitcom Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?.