Not to be confused with the gritty thriller staring Audrey Tautou, but rather, the new project from the “sensible Libertine”, Carl Barat. (Although, both namesakes do take a parallel grimy view of London) Waterloo To Anywhere takes you to similar territories covered in the first two Libs albums. Matter of fact, until Waterloo, I had never noticed how alike Barat’s and Doherty’s vocals really are. Now, I know my discovery will most likely be disputed by most Libertine-niacs, but perhaps I just grew accustomed to the one –two, back and fro that was the Libs and never took the time to absorb each individual vocal styling on its own merit. The only notable difference would be that Barat’s vocals are much more cohesive than Doherty’s, but at the same time, they lack that unpredictability factor, - you know, where you question, did he hit that note? Some might argue that this capriciousness was the Libs draw. I have to agree with that point, but one has to be careful and not to let the eccentricities (Or Narcotics) become the main contributing force of their music i.e. Babyshambles.
Waterloo plays like a more focused “The Libertines II” because Barat recruited Libs former drummer Gary Powell and Anthony Rossomando (who was Doherty’s replacement when he was MIA) to join him in DPT. Missing is bassist John Hassel, but Didz Hammond, formerly of Cooper Temple Clause, adequately steps in to complete the rhythm section. These four manage to create a unified unit in DPT, while still maintaing a rough, from the wrong side of the tracks, edge.
“Deadwood” starts things off with a familiar grumble (ala “Up the Bracket”), then becomes a solid garage-rock tune about fading fame, most likely directed at you now who- “And what will you do when they forget your name?” The stabs at Barat’s former mate don’t end there. The epitaph, or the true moment of Waterloo, so to speak, would be “Bang Bang Your Dead” –“ That I was right at the start /bout the seeds of the weeds That grew in your heart/ Self satisfaction for the factions Who formed to tear us apart”
There are a few more tracks that are worth while- “The Gentry Cove” recalls the best of the Clash / “You Fucking Love It” is almost hardcore punk and catchy as hell, / “B.U.R.M.A.” will appeal to those lads that love a reasonable Brit-Pop number.
Waterloo To Anywhere is not spectacular, but a solid offering nonetheless. I hate to sound wimpy, but I wish Carl Barat would have inserted more precious melodies; those Beatlesque harmonies are what attracted me to the Libs, and are missing here. |