Carl Barat - Carl Barat
With The Libertines' reunion still hot on everyone's minds Carl Barat is certainly a man of the moment and what a perfect time for what is also a perfect solo album! This self-titled ten track album is somehow very polished whilst still regaining the rustic charm we all expect, a slightly rough around the edges sound.
Opening track 'The Magnus' starts the album with a dramatic beat and a selection of instruments not unfamiliar in a theatre orchestra; lyrics of spending time with someone and the 'good old days' set the story telling nature of this album. As the album goes on, the plot thickens, with tracks such as 'Je Regrette, Je Regrette' talking of desiring love with the romantic use of French and lyrics of being unable to impress "these angry birds" (perhaps the addictive iphone game, I am not quite sure!) and 'So Long My Lover' telling the story of two lovers whose relationship sours, it is evident that this is an album laced with romance and tales of love and loss.
There is an air of broodiness and smouldering about Carl Barat's vocals which enhances the realness of the tales being told; 'Carve my name' plods along in an almost bluesy fashion as he sings that he will "never speak of love again". The whole album is surprisingly reflective and incredibly dramatic, unfortunately the subject matter is not the most cheerful but they are ten tracks which are each unique and each uniquely powerful.
Ok, so he may have studied drama at university but this is definitely a side of Carl Barat we are not used to seeing; has he just matured? I am not sure but I am sure that this is an album you will either love or hate. For a lot of Libertines fans, it will be a disappointment, it lacks the guitar riffs, the energy and the lad-like behaviour we are used to, however this new sound is rather catchy and certainly tells lovely stories with wonderfully polished music and creatively written lyrics, and also, like me, you may rather like seeing the new romantic lothario side of Carl Barat!