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3.8

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Fourth ballad-stricken studio album from britpop icons marks nine-year return.

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When the band came together from their new-found homes dotted throughout Europe, there was initial worry where this album was set to sit within the bands’ sprawling pantheon of boisterous rockling British rock. But they needn’t have worried. Sprawled over 11 tracks, All Quiet… shows a sparkling songwriting prowess that they’ve never been able to lose ever since their era-defining debut, Up The Bracket back in 2002.

The likes of Run Run Run and Night of the Hunter dispel the rumours that The Libertines underwent a huge overhaul in their sound since the break. Channeling their real Brit-indie rock gumption, it reflects the bands’ songwriting adequacy to just pumping out soon-to-be anthems on the live festival circuits.

All Quiet also continues Anthems for Doomed Youth‘s poised versions of Libertines’ ballads; Shiver and Songs They Never Play on the Radio – are evident staples of this; Doherty’s lyrics waxed and sheen; “As the cobwebs fall and Needle skips the groove / Songs they never play on the radio.”

Merry Old England brushes shoulders with new Blur; bushy-tailed and bright-eyed in the spirit of true indie-rock splatter. It’s either a relief or bitter disappointment to see that not a lot has changed for the band music-wise. The tight-bite blazing formula of “rock to run to” has not wizened. Times may have changed since ’03/’04 era of Britpop dominance, sure. They may not scale the same heights in the charts or undergo new grounds in sales. But, it’s safe to say that Doherty and co. will always have their live circuits and loyal fan base to come back to.