Carl Barat & the Jackals

Let It Reign (Grand Jury Music)

Odd for Carl Barat, after famously returning last year to the Libertines – his Aughties London band with Pete Doherty that made electric guitars and shambolic/romantic/literary garage-punk cool in Britannia for a time – to forge ahead with the band he formed pre-reunion from online ads. Yet Barat’s return to loud guitars following his 2010 chamber pop solo debut shows retaining the Jackals may be wise. Given a more American rock production by the Bronx’s Joby Ford, Let It Reign indulges such non-Libs turf as reggae-metal (“Glory Days”) and Zep-heavy riffs with muted trumpets (“Victory Gin”). There’s still enough of the Libertines’ Arcadian ideal across tracks like “Summer in the Trenches” and the title track to hold old fans firm, but unlike Dirty Pretty Things, Barat’s initial post-Libs’ effort, he may have finally given the Albion his personal touch. (Wed., 1am, Lucille; Thu., 12mid, Latitude 30)

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This article appears in March 20 • 2015.

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Tim Stegall contributed to The Austin Chronicle 1991-1995, and was a staff writer 1995-1997. He returned as a contributor in 2013. He has also freelanced for publications ranging from Flipside to Alternative Press to Guitar World. He plays punk rock guitar and sings in the Hormones.