I'm bored, and so I present you with a new column-type thing. It's a list and grading system of all the albums I bought in 2003.

Today's entry:

Up the Bracket, The Libertines
Strong Point(s): I love the sheer frenzy and passion that was put into this album, and hats off to Mick Jones for producing it. Also, the drummer is a black guy in a British rock band. Do you get any cooler?
Weak Point(s): I can't understand what they're saying half the time. Dammit; I'm so American.
Best Song(s): "Radio America" is sheerly and addictively beautiful. "Boys in the Band," an apparent ode to the vapidity of groupies, has a cute and catchy little pop melody. "What a Waster" is the best song about coke addiction in years (the actual year in question being 1997, and the song being "Semi-Charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind). "Death on the Stairs" somehow bridges the chasm between goofy and poetic, which is no easy feat. "I Get Along," which sounds kind of like a throwaway Clash tune, is freaking great.
Worst Song(s): "Begging" is totally unmemorable. I listened to this album four hours ago and I can't remember how that song goes. It's not that it's a bad song; it's just that it's the worst one of the fourteen.
Other Comments: Very good album. "Up the Bracket" has the most catchy guitar-riff hook since "Last Nite" by the Strokes, and the taunting "li-le-li"s on "The Boy Looked at Johnny" are quite possibly the greatest opportunity for sing-screaming along in your car...ever. Definitely look into buying this one, especially if you plan on reading NME any time in the future.
Grade: 80 out of 100