I've had this album a while now and had been going through an endless mental debate about whether it was "HardRockHouse" enough for review amongst these hallowed pages. But, steeled by the fact that Planet Rock seem to deem The Clash worthy of repeated plays and that Dirty Pretty Things plough a similar furrow, I thought I would take the plunge.

With Dirty Pretty Things it seems that Carl Barat has quietly observed Pete Dohertys complete unraveling since the demise of the Libertines (which then continued with Babyshambles) and has done the complete opposite to much greater effect. Almost the antithesis of his former sparring/writing partner in the way that he has put together Dirty Pretty Things and released this debut album to the public. No celebrity girlfriend, no highly publicized failed rehab attempts, no no-shows at gigs, no crap debut album either!! (in my opinion, aside from "Killmangiro" and "Fuck Forever" Babyshambles debut was a huge disappointment).

So if you are/were a Libertines fan and have enjoyed first single "Bang Bang You're Dead" you will find a lot to appreciate here, in the main "Waterloo To Anywhere" hits mid tempo Clash/Jam urban rock territory and if anything this is the main downfall as there's not a lot of variety on the choppy chorus, slower verse formula, although "Blood Thirsty Bastards" has a slower, sparser intro (but also evokes Iggy Pops "Passenger" for some reason) and "The Gentry Cove" has a cod reggae to it.

So not an album that's going to push any boundaries or likely to win a whole lot of new fans outside of Libertines fans wanting to see what Carl and Pete did next either but if you like your rock of a slightly punkish nature and have a fondness for The Jam, The Clash, Squeeze or The Ramones then you will enjoy this, for what its worth, I do.
 

Let us know your views on 'Waterloo To Anywhere'

Track List

Deadwood
Doctors & Dealers
Bang Bang You're Dead
Blood Thirsty Bastards
The Gentry Cove
Gin & Milk
The Enemy
If You Love A Woman
You Fucking Love It
Wondering
Last Of The Small Town Playboys
B.U.R.M.A

Line Up

Carl Barat - Guitar/Vocals
Gary Powell - Drums
Anthony Rossamando - Guitar
Didz Hammond - Bass