Album Review: The Libertines - Anthems For Doomed Youth

26 August 2015 | 2:55 pm | Paul Barbieri

"It's good to have you back, lads!"

It feels like 2004 again as The Libertines finally release their long-awaited third album.

There've been bust-ups, addictions and new bands since then but none of the solo projects quite matched the combustible creativity these boys had together. That chemistry is back on Anthems For Doomed Youth as Barbarians rolls out their trademark tightly-coiled spiky rock before single, Gunga Din, goes reggae. Iceman is beautifully evocative and The Milkman's Horse is a nice little ballad but for all the lovely melodies and rousing choruses, there are probably too many subdued tracks. Still, it's good to have you back, lads!