Review: A-

I was so surprised to learn yesterday that The Libertines were playing at the Paradise for only $8... surely not!

You know you're in for a good show when the lead singer comes out and is swaying-ly drunk before the first song-- leaning on his microphone, noodling on his guitar, "D'ya fancy me?"

I bought their record on vinyl a couple of weeks ago, and I think I would describe them as an updated Clash. You could lump them in with the new crop of garage bands, (e.g., The Strokes, White Stripes, Hives, Vines, et al.), but I keep coming back to that voice-- it's Strummer-esque.

It was also my first outing after the smoking-ban went into effect... ug. Even the Libertines couldn't smoke, which should have seemed pretty incredulous indeed.

But, after the show, everyone spilled out onto Comm. Ave, and the band lit up cigs with their fans. Pretty down to earth stuff.