Album Review: The Libertines, All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade

All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade is an ace title – a nod to both the address of The Libertines’ hotel in Margate and the war poets that have so inspired the band. The album art is ace too, featuring vivid characters that loom large on the record including Traci, the day-drinking mum in juicy couture tracksuit, and the complex Sister Mary Shivers of the rollicking ‘Mustang’. As for the album itself – it’s boss.

For the first time when making a record, The Libertines possessed time and structure. Carl and Pete put demos down in Jamaica, before returning to Margate to record with Gary and John at The Albion Rooms, under the watchful eye of Dimitri Tikovoï. This in turn was followed by a week’s wrap-up in Normandy. The result is the most evolutionary record in The Libertines’ canon.

All three singles were accompanied by music videos that serve more as loosely connected short films – ‘Run, Run, Run’ is going to be a beast of a thing live; ‘Shiver’ is an instant Likely Lads classic; and ‘Night Of The Hunter’, complete with theremin, is arguably the standout track. Although, ‘Man With The Melody’ runs it a close second and contains a first – a John Hassall song on a Libs record.

It’s a pure gem, reminiscent of Blur at their most plaintive. Elsewhere ‘Have A Friend’ recalls Paul Heaton, which is only ever a good thing, while ‘Baron’s Claw’ is a fine slice of baroque-pop whimsy. Also, special mention of ‘Songs They Never Play On The Radio’ – a cracker of a closer with a heart-warming coda of the band fooling around in the studio. Good to have them back.

9/10