Monday, May 08, 2006

Dirty Pretty Things - Waterloo to Anywhere

So, if Pete Doherty's Peter Cook, Carl Barat's Dudley Moore, right? If Pete's Lennon, Carl's McCartney, yes? If Doherty's the rabbit, Barat's the tortoise, eh? Oh, who gives a damn? It's time to cast aside those thoughts that one is better than the other, that Barat might have played an Ono-style part in the break-up of The Libertines, that Pete's the talented crackheaded one, and Carl's the sensible Jack Daniels imbibing one. Because these two, whether together or apart, still rock our world.

So what, then, of the journey from Waterloo to Anywhere? It is, wonder upon wonders, a pleasure upon the ear. If we'd not heard Up The Bracket, we could have reveled in it more, could have claimed that here were the saviours of music. Much is the same beautiful cacophany that reminded us of the wonders of a decent beat combo. Bang Bang, put all the rumours to bed indeed.

But there is much more than that first single, as Barat sets out to prove he is the Ray Davies/dandiest self-obsessed songwriter of century number 21. You Fucking Love It, Deadwood and Blood Thirsty Bastards show that Carlos is still hungry to eat the microphone and thrash his guitar.

And, although it hurts to say this, with Dave Sardy and Tony Doogan handling production it's a lot more cohesive, nay, well produced than anything The Libs ever commited to CD.