The Libertines lead the UK garage rock revival movement, and it put out two solid albums (Up the Bracket and The Libertines and both produced by Mick Jones of The Clash) before… things came to a crashing end. Issues between Carl Barat and Pete Doherty, two principal songwriters for the group, broke up the foursome in 2004, and that obviously begs the question: a greatest hits comp from a two-album band? And the answer is a resounding "yes." Through the drug problems & strained relationships, The Libertines put out music adored by critics and fans alike, peep tracks like "Can't Stand Me Now," "Up the Bracket," and "Time For Heroes." There are some outstanding non-album singles included on here also, e.g., "Don't Look Back into the Sun" and ""Death on the Stairs." Since the 2007 release of Time For Heroes, The Libertines have reunited and even recorded the third full-length, Anthems For Doomed Youth. There are also rumors of a new album in the works, which makes now the perfect time to revisit the finest of the band's older catalog.

• red vinyl
• music label: Rough Trade 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 06/18