The Soundtrack of Our Lives

Carl Barât and Peter Doherty formed The Libertines in late '90s London and became the beating heart of Britain’s early 2000s rock revival. Known for their raucous energy, poetic lyrics, and chaotic brotherhood, the band’s rise was fast and self-destructive. Their first two albums captured a raw, romantic vision of a crumbling England, winning critical acclaim and a fiercely loyal fanbase.

Offstage drama, fuelled by drugs and infighting, led to an explosive breakup in 2004. Yet the mythology only grew. Against the odds, the band reunited, bringing new music and a sense of unfinished business. This book dives into the musical world of The Libertines and the numerous other music outlets the band pursued, up to Doherty’s most recent solo album, Felt Better Alive.

The Soundtrack of Our Lives is a series of books about band or artists that have shaped the culture in some way. While not exhaustive, they are focussed purely on the music and structured to chronicle the artists’ career from start to the present day.

Richard Bowes is the author of Some Might Say: The Story of Oasis and writes for Clash, Louder Than War and Live4Ever. This book is part of his series, The Soundtrack of Our Lives.