Best Of albums are the most difficult albums to review, because really, what can be said that hadn’t already been said the first time around? This is particularly true when the Best Of compilation is (1) from a band that released a scant pair of proper albums, and (2) doesn’t even bother to include much of any bonus material. Ah, but here we are with the ever popular, too-short-lived Libertines offering up just such an album.

There’s no denying that The Libertines were an integral part of the great post-punk revival at the turn of this century. The tempestuous relationship between Carl Barât and Pete Doherty was often more of a focal point than the music itself, and the long, drawn-out Libertines breakup was clearly inevitable. The ‘boys in the band’ have kept themselves busy, however: Carl’s Dirty Pretty Things are working on a reportedly poppier, artier follow-up to last year’s excellent Waterloo To Anywhere. Pete, in addition to a still (at this writing) successful stint in rehab, has just released the brilliant Shotter’s Nation, his Babyshambles sophomore effort. Moreover, besides avoiding jail, he has just begun recording a solo album. Prolific times indeed.

But about the album. It’s entitled Time For Heroes: The Best Of The Libertines and consists of thirteen tracks culled mainly from the two albums, including all the singles and a couple of b-sides. It is a great overview of some of the band’s best material that will serve as the perfect introduction to anyone unfamiliar with The Libertines. Unfortunately, however, there is no previously unreleased material to entice longtime fans. For the idea to release of a Best Of album by a band who’s only released two albums: 23%. Perhaps Time For Heroes is a push by Rough Trade to finally bring about the oft-rumored Libertines reunion? For the non-inclusion of some live, demo or other tasty unreleased material: 0%. In the end though this is all about the music, and The Libertines are top-notch, so for that:
87%

Links
The Libertines [official site] [buy it]