Unbelievable that the Libertines debut, “Up The Bracket”, is now 20 years old. But what seems even more incredible is that in 2022, Pete Doherty is bouncing around bouncy and alive and still making great records. “The Fantasy Life Of Poetry & Crime” is one of the best that the likeable muddlehead has ever delivered. The collaboration with Frédéric Lo, a French musician and producer, known for his work with the great power pop band Pony Pony Run Run and Stephan Eicher, turns out to be completely unobtrusive, but gets under the skin.
Doherty’s abstinence from drugs is palpable at all times
Arrangements with a French touch and a bit of a chanson-inclined fit perfectly with Doherty’s nagging vocals, which this time don’t come across as brittle at all. A bit of drama – yes, theatricality – no. Doherty’s abstinence from drugs is noticeable at all times, and a bit of wine and rum was allowed with the oysters, there in Normandy, where the two wrote songs together for two months and recorded the album, next to the Paris location. You can literally feel the sea breeze in the bay of Étretat on the title track.
The closest reminiscent of Babyshambles days is the previously released You Can’t Keep It From Me Forever, but Lo manages to keep all of Doherty’s impetuosity in order, resulting in a classic Britpop track that captures the early Suede and the corresponds to Morrissey’s first solo attempts. Incidentally, the song was inspired by the French writer Maurice Leblanc and his master thief Arsène Lupin.
More name dropping? Then there’s Victor Hugo… With “The Epidemiologist” and “Yes I Wear A Mask” the two deliver two wonderful song titles at the same time. Incidentally, the former turns out to be the most beautiful piano ballad sung by Doherty to date. Chris Martin, eat your heart out! Musical bliss from a green edge of the world.
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