Review: Carl Barat & The Jackals – ‘Let It Reign’


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Carl Barat has been no stranger to headlines over the past year, largely due to his ongoing reunion and new album plans with The Libertines.

The attention has been so vast that it has threatened to overshadow his new solo venture, Carl Barat and the Jackals. The album – ‘Let It Reign‘ – started life as a sophomore solo record, re-recorded so he could recruit a full time band and capture the magic of performing as a group. The results warrant this rethink and there are certainly songs here which are worthy of their own time in the spotlight away from the world of the Libertines.

Ciphering whether or not the album will be appreciated is another matter; indie music in the UK is about as popular as Vladimir Putin at the moment.

Anyone familiar with Carl’s output should generally know what they’re going to get – not an opera, nor a space jazz reinvention. With that said, he did occasionally veer into unfamiliar territory on his first solo album, favouring various other instruments over the guitar. And one track in particular on this record, ‘We Want More‘, even draws on a Joy Division influence. Overall though, it is a case of business as usual, but this time round with added vigour.

Lyrically, as evident in the song titles, Carl continues to be influenced by patriotism and an interest in British war history – ‘Glory Days‘, ‘Victory Gin‘, ‘War Of The Roses‘, ‘Summer In The Trenches‘ – many of the songs embrace this passion and are battle cries which mark a return to loud guitars and the aggression and soul channelled in the Libertines.

‘Glory Days’, the album’s lead single, is a ska-tinged gem with whaling guitars and a catchy sing-a-long chorus destined for the football terraces. Yet it is ‘War Of The Roses’ which marks the album’s crowning moment; crunching guitars, a ferocious vocal and a huge brass band-backed chorus that culminates with an explosive climax of squealing guitar fret wankery. “No one cares for me like you do,” he sings.

What does let the album down somewhat is the absence of a killer single. ‘Storm Is Coming‘ is solid, and there are undeniably some other great songs present, but none which may strike a chord with listeners on a par with the likes of the Dirty Pretty Things‘ ‘Bang Bang You’re Dead‘. The musical climate is different today so it is arguably a moot point, but one can’t help but compare to dizzy heights of the past.

Carl said he rediscovered his love for the guitar when recording this album and it shows; it’s an absolute riot of noise that leaves little room for quiet reflection, with only ‘Beginning To See‘ and ‘Let It Rain‘ turning things down a notch, which on the former track lays bare a gorgeous melody.



But Carl is truly at his best when thrashing his guitar and belting out lyrics which are straight from the heart, and it is at these moments where he shines on the new album.

The record is another treasured addition to his body of work and more reassurance – if we ever needed it – that there is life after The Libertines.

(Matt Humphrey)


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