January 17, 2008

Time For Heroes: The Best Of The Libertines

The Libertines. <i>Rough Trade</i>.

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Before repeated drug busts turned him into a tabloid fixture, Pete Doherty sang for the Libertines, who imploded in 2004 after just two albums. Ostensibly the expression of uncouth British kids, the deceptively smart songs on Time for Heroes mix the rough grace of the Clash (whose Mick Jones produced several tracks) with poignant melodies reminiscent of the Kinks. Scrappy rock and roll chronicles turbulent lives where the search for meaning is punctuated by substance-fueled excess. Surly outbursts (“People tell me I’m wrong / Fuck ’em!”) alternate with surprisingly vulnerable interludes (“But since you said goodbye / The polka dots fill my eye”). In songs like “What Became of the Likely Lads,” the results are downright heartbreaking.

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We just wrapped up a shorter-than-normal, urgent-as-ever fundraising drive and we came up about $45,000 short of our $300,000 goal.

That means we're going to have upwards of $350,000, maybe more, to raise in online donations between now and June 30, when our fiscal year ends and we have to get to break-even. And even though there's zero cushion to miss the mark, we won't be all that in your face about our fundraising again until June.

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