The Libertines

Led by vocalists/guitarists Carl Barât and Pete Doherty, the Libertines' brashly melodic style updates the traditions of British rock while becoming a part of them. As their music connected the dots between heroes like the Kinks, the Jam, the Smiths, and the Clash (whose Mick Jones was a frequent collaborator), the London-based band grounded their songwriting in ragged poetry inspired by Barât and Doherty's tumultuous partnership. This volatile chemistry ignited 2002's bracing debut album Up the Bracket, which helped reinvigorate British indie in much the same way the Strokes'...