42. The Libertines – I Get Along

With their endless romanticism and blood-brothers mentality, but only one decent album in their catalogue, The Libertines’ legacy is arguably stronger in thought than in deed. However, I Get Along is one of the few moments where Pete’n’Carl’s belligerent, two-fingers-to-the-world personalities gelled with their scruffy, pub-punk music to produce something truly exciting. Barat’s breathless lyrics may be largely incomprehensible, but the spirit of rock rebellion is audible from the off: this is our gang, don’t get in our way. Indeed, Carl’s snarl of “fuck ‘em” halfway through perfectly crystallises that heady combination of mischief and menace that oozes from bands at the peak of their confidence, and is a glorious thing to hear. Rip-roaring and rabble-rousing, it’s hard to ignore I Get Along’s propulsion and bottle – The Libertines’ most gutsy performance was also their finest.