Why I Love The Libertines

Last night The Libertines returned to perform their first reunion show in front of fans who had won tickets through a ballot. I had one of these tickets, but unfortunately work commitments prevented me from watching one of my favourite bands in action. This weekend though, thousands will watch as the four men who formed The Libertines: Carl Barat, Pete Doherty, John Hassall and Gary Powell, return to play the main stage at Reading and Leeds Festival.

Now, I don’t expect everyone to agree, but The Libertines were without doubt one of the best bands of the last 10 years. However, unlike NME, who recently proclaimed that: 'the story of The Libertines is the greatest of a generation of British music fans.' It was not the stories about The Libertines that endeared them to me, but the music. Along with The Strokes, The Libertines defined a genre of music for the years that followed. They were The Clash for a new generation.

What I'm Listening to at the moment...

The charts are a bit uneventful at the moment… other than the intriguing and infuriatingly catchy, ‘We No Speak Americano’. New Albums have also dried up a bit since Arcade Fire and Eminem released their new efforts.

However, hopefully Klaxons’ new album, Surfing The Void, will reinvigorate things again. Furthermore, due to my significant lack of funds, I am not going to Reading, even though two of my favourite bands are playing (that is Arcade Fire and The Libertines by the way). So, I thought I would give you a peak at my IPod, to see what I’m listening to at the moment.

Eminem, ’25 To Life’ (from Recovery): Eminem is back to his formidable best, and ’25 To Life’ captures this better than any other song on Recovery. The song is about Em’s tempestuous relationship with rap music: “When you spoke to people who meant the most to you/You left me off your list/Fuck you hip-hop/I’m leaving you, my life sentence is served bitch.” For Eminem, rap has simultaneously brought him out of poverty, whilst also leading him down a road of self-destruction. With a great chorus, killer rap and a brilliant beat over an acoustic guitar, this song really has everything that makes Mr. Mathers a genius.

Arcade Fire - Suburban War

This is another new favourite from Arcade Fire's new album..... I know I keep banging on about Arcade Fire at the moment but this album truly is stunning!! Please, please, please give it a try because Arcade Fire are one of the most inspiring and brilliant bands around at the moment!!

Arcade Fire - Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

Why Are Arcade Fire Critic-proof?

‘[Arcade Fire] have judged their moment perfectly, and this deserves to be their ‘Automatic For The People’; an album that combines mass accessibility with much greater ambition.’ NME

‘You could call it their OK Computer. But it’s arguably better than that.’ BBC Music

‘The Suburbs' two most important achievements are to a) be good and b) not be a rehash of its predecessors.’ Drowned in Sound

‘The Suburbs’ is probably Arcade Fire’s most daring record to date; in places very new and forward thinking while very retro elsewhere.’ Musicradar

Arcade Fire have just released their third album, entitled The Suburbs. Once again, critics have showered the Canadian band’s new album with heaps of praise.

Bombay Bicycle Club - Dust On The Ground

Bombay Bicycle Club Live Acoustic Gig @ St George's Church Bristol

The quality of a song can always be measured by hearing it in its most basic form. The acoustic version of a song can reveal its true beauty, if it still engages you, then it must be good. Having already built up a passionate following after their debut album, I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose, Bombay Bicycle Club decided to change direction, and duly released their acoustic album titled, Flaws.

It was certainly a risk to ditch the electric guitars barely a year after the release of their incredibly successful debut; however, it has proved to be a risk worth taking. Flaws is a beautiful album, one that has been further enhanced by the band’s decision to promote the album on a tour around the churches of the United Kingdom.

This decision was completely justified by the simplistic surrounding and brilliant acoustics provided by St George’s church in Bristol.