Time for Heroes: The Best of the Libertines

The Libertines | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 4, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rough Trade Us
• ASIN: B000W4KT96
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,792 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2007 compilation containing 13 tracks from one of the most controversial groups to emerge from the UK in the early noughts and helped a new generation of rockers find their musical compass. During their short tenure, the band from Albion managed to rack up six UK Top 40 hits, including two songs that were produced by former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler: 'Don't Look Back In To The Sun' and 'What A Waster'. This set also includes popular single b-sides and concert faves for a fitting recap of a band that won't soon be forgotten. Rough Trade

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What a Waster..., December 3, 2007

By 

mroxie "mroxie" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Time for Heroes: The Best of the Libertines (Audio CD)

If Rough Trade would've repackaged their two studio albums, and perhaps even added a bonus disc with a fair amount of B-sides and rarities for good measure, there would be nothing wrong with this compilation. But, they didn't! This is pretty much a waste to buy, unless you're missing the few bonus tracks and the couple of EP songs they have on here.

This includes their six single songs from the two albums they released, two songs from the I Get Along EP ("The Delaney" and the song which is also a single, "Don't Look Back into the Sun"), the bonus tracks from the US and Japanese releases of Up the Bracket ("Mayday" and the single "What a Waster"), four other tracks from Up the Bracket, and only ONE other track from their self-titled second album The Libertines. If one is going to be technical about it, Up the Bracket is the "better" release (and not nearly as melancholy as their second), but their second, self-titled album is a perfect mirror of the turmoil that was going on within the band at the time. By only listening to this compilation, you are almost completely missing out on that side of The Libertines; "Music When the Lights Go Out", "Narcissist" (with a nod to Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray), "Tomblands", "The Man Who Would Be King" (the first Libs song I heard), are all great songs that appear on the second album, but not on this so-called best-of compilation! Other tracks I love from Up the Bracket are missing; "Vertigo", "Radio America", "The Boy Looked at Johnny", "The Good Old Days"...

This is a fantastic band, one of my top favorites. "What a Waster" is one of the greatest singles released by any band, in my opinion. I'm not knocking this CD down because there is anything wrong with the songs, individually. I just feel that 'The Best of: A Time For Heroes' gives one a very muted feel for The Libertines. If you're looking for an "introduction" of The Libertines...well, they released only two studio albums, so listening to those ought to do the trick!

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Introduction to The Libertines, January 29, 2008

By 

Andrew D. Mckay "demonazz74" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Time for Heroes: The Best of the Libertines (Audio CD)

I purchased this album recently in order to get The Libertines' singles. I owned the original albums when they first came out, and while there was certainly a collection of songs that I truly enjoyed on those records, I've never found The Libertines to be that spectacular of a band. I always felt that their albums featured a few songs that were great, while a majority of the songs were mediocre at best. As such, I traded away the CDs, and then spent a few successive years missing the critical songs. As such, when this "best of" compilation came out, I took the opportunity to pick it up, as it contains a good collection of songs for a casual listener of The Libertines (and it can be had for a low cost).

It's true, that since The Libertines only put out two proper albums, it isn't that significant of an investment to purchase both of those; however, if you're like me, and you want the singles on one disc, and don't want to sift through the material that isn't as good, then this is a good compilation for you.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Libertines-Time For Heros; The Best Of, March 18, 2008

By 

Morton (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Time for Heroes: The Best of the Libertines (Audio CD)

The Libertines-Time For Heroes; The Best Of ***½


I have to write this review from the perspective of someone who used this collection as an introduction to the band, because that is exactly what I did when I bought it. I knew who Pete Doherty was and I heard that the current drummer for the recent carnation of the New York Dolls had played with The Libertines so I thought it might be worth my while to give the band a try.

Now I usually do not buy greatest hits, or best of collections unless I own everything else by the band and wish to own everything that they release, but this was the only thing I could find from the band so I bought it. Before buying it I noticed that on the album cover was a sticker that was comparing the band to The Clash, which with them being one of my all time favorite bands that this was going to be a good purchess. After listening I feel I must warn that the only compareson between the two bands is that they are both from around London, were both young bands (with the exception of Joe Strummer) and the attitude. If I was going to compare the band to any early punk band from England it would be with out a doubt, The Jam. They whole sound, the vocals, the lyrics, and the guitar all scream the Jam, which is not a bad thing as The Jam were a phenomenal band.

So after listening to the band I came to the conclusion that from this collection I liked it. The song writing was great from Doherty, and the musicianship is pretty good from the `punk' band, though I would hardly call The Libertines a punk band from this collection, ,only `Mayday' even remotely reminded me of punk. For the most part they sound like a decent rock/mod band. But over all this is a great collection of songs, but not good enough to make me go out and but any of the bands actual albums.