You know, I was not originally thrilled with The Libertines. I certainly didn’t buy into the near-rabid hype that was mainly supplied by the habitually-suspect British music press. But somehow “What A Waster” wouldn’t leave my skull. And now we have the new single “Can’t Stand Me Now”. Certainly apt when it comes to the boys’ tenuous relationship, as well as all the ridiculous, three-ring circus drama that has clouded the band for the past year now. But this song is just such a beautifully clear-eyed declaration of love. Love for the craft, love for the life, and certainly love for The Clash (“Revoluion Rock” anyone?). It’s so wonderfully put together, particularly with the two-part vocals and that great dub beat in the chorus. What nails it all together is the harmonica ending, which just screams to be compared to the equally-poignant “You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go” beginning. And it made me realize that beneath the veneer of British bad boys, behind the glazed-over eyes that stare out at us on glossy pages of Vice Magazine (see below), there are two musicians there who originally got into this quagmire to make music for us. Color me impressed.

NME Homepage for the new Libertines video, Can’t Stand Me Now

Caption from Vice Magazine’s latest Photo Issue (which, if you ordered it ahead of time, comes with a simply wicked DVD jampacked with music videos, including the post-9/11 Stills video).

“Pete Doherty (at press time formerly of The Libertines, but he’ll probably be back in by the time this comes out—or maybe he’ll be dead) smoking crack.”

Photo by Jamie-James Medina.






Try imagining a place/Where it’s always safe and warm-S.