Libertine

Can it really be 20 years already? 20 years since Gene rose to promenence, with "For The Dead", and 10 since they quietly disappeared, mourned by a handful, and forgotten by many? At one point they could have been kings. Now, overlooked and ignored by Megador Records, the band have quietly faded from view to day jobs and memories. In time, the bands work - an elegant body that combined the majesty of The Smiths with the muscular strength of The Faces and 60's era Mod bands, has aged with dignity and power. Over four albums, and catch all b-sides compilation "To See The Lights", the band explored humanity with increasing effectiveness and skill. By the time they got to the final record, the barely noticed "Libertine" they had become brilliant but niche hasbeens. This reissue series finally gives the band the dignity they deserve, with expanded editions of each record, appended with every b-side, an enormity of radio sessions (almost every single one the band recorded for the BBC,), and several live shows from the period, showcasing embryonic and early versions of many songs from subsequent albums - are a fascinating insight. In terms of unreleased material, there is little until the time the band were released from their Polydor contract, at which point the band had control of their own recordings. Each of the editions is packed in a double CD set, with the original album appended by b-sides and extra songs.Final record in the reissues is 2001's neglected "Libertine", self-funded, confident but audibly smaller, the band moved to a more intimate lyrical plain, with songs such as "Does He Have A Name?", "Is It Over", and the frankly amazing "Somewhere In The World" being amongst the best by any band, ever, anywhere, laden down the lyrics as powerful as nuclear weapons, exploring jealously, love, loss, and being left behind with an accuracy only the once heart-broken will ever recognise. In terms of unreleased material, there is little until the time the band were released from their Polydor contract, at which point the band had control of their own recordings, and thus "Libertine" is awash with the b-sides of two singles, an extra handful of songs that the band included in foreign editions of the record, and numerous demos and unreleased songs. (Sadly, the rather unusual cover version of "Back For Good" is absent, but easily available elsewhere). Since two full live shows from the era were released on DVD, it is understandable that no live material is on this release, instead favouring a plethora of unreleased material, with around 13 demos and unreleased songs as well as 10 or so absent from the original record, including the final single, the wonderful, and graceful "Let Me Move On", that proved that even with their dying breath, Gene had more wit in one verse than other bands had in their lifetime. Is it over?To be honest, there's little more a fan could expect given the circumstances, and the limited commercial interest and profile this band currently has, and whilst it is a musical loss that Gene were not blessed with a 30 year journey similar to obvious contenders of sometimes lesser skill but wider appeal. Sadly, for now, it is over, but at least we had this once.

Brilliant final album from an underrated band.

It’s kind of outrageous how overlooked this album was. Easily my favourite Gene album and especially benefits from the extra b sides and outtakes most of which could easily have been album cuts. Listen to this often and I never gets old. Great lyrics/ vocals and top quality musicianship.

Gene's last album, Libertine... and they really were liberated, free from Polydor - this was recorded on their own label, at their own pace and in their own style. The result, I think, is the band's finest achievement, and one of the great undiscovered albums of the 21st Century. Yes, I know that is high praise - it surprises me too, because I remember not being bowled over when it was first released. Back then, I wanted them to still be the Gene of Olympian... I struggled to let them move on. Seems I wasn't the only one either - despite great reviews, Libertine struggled at the time too, and floundered without Polydor's promotional muscle. However, like Drawn To The Deep End before it, the band's swansong stands as a wonderfully cohesive piece of work, a fact not lessened by the re-issue embellishment it gets here. Does He Have A Name? contains, in my view, Rossiter's finest Gene lyric. The achingly sad Is It Over? seems terribly prescient too, for the band, whilst delighted with Libertine, would soon all know that the writing was on the wall. A shame for all concerned, because tracks like Somewhere In The World demonstrated that, even though they had changed, Gene were still at the peak of their powers. What's left, in Libertine, is an album that has aged well, and is perhaps more in tune with the ears and tastes of Gene fans now those fans are all 10+ years older. Also, somewhat brilliantly, Libertine's bonus materials are the richest of all: in addition to mopping up the B-sides of the era, there are some comparatively rare tracks (studio versions of Baby I'm Sorry and the excellent Rising For Sunset, plus lots and lots of demo versions. If you judge re-issues on the merits of their bonus materials, this is the one to buy first. What's more, it's the only one available on vinyl (the band, rather than Polydor, own the recording, so all avenues were open with Libertine).

Deemed by many to have 'gone away', Gene show that although the music press may go quiet on you for a while, it doesn't mean that you're not preparing a gem of a new album all along. And that 's exactly what 'Libertine' is - a darker, less guitar orientated collection of tunes than previous records that is driven primarily by the bass and drums and which, after several listens, infects the very brain of the listener. Top tracks - the seedy opener (and up coming single) 'Does He Have A Name?', and the brooding, explosive-chorused 'Spy In The Clubs'. If you've never bought any Gene records before, treat yourself today to Libertine. If you have bought Gene before, buy several copies of it.

With this, Gene's fourth album, they provide those who still care about brit-pop a beautiful more mature sound than previously. The way they weave the polyphony of instruments is seamless, with the incredible voice of Martin. They seem to know how to create great coruses which hit home if you love beautiful meaningful music. Why can't more bands be like these guys. I am from the heartland of America, and see a need for Gene and other UK bands in the US. This band rocks when it's necessary and slows down when it's necessary..perfect.

Great band but if you're coming to this after Olympian or Drawn to the Deep End you might feel it's not as good as they are. Little to stand out for me and I found myself heading back to the old standards. It's not rubbish by any means but it's not like back in the day when there was grit and anger and malevolence in the whole thing.