Carl Barat wastes no time in admonishing the ghosts of his past on Waterloo To Anywhere. On rampant opener "Deadwood" he scolds: "You got the world, boy / This all you make it? / You had the choice, lad / You wouldn't take it". But if you get caught up digging for allusions to Pete Doherty, a fine debut album will pass you by.

"Bang Bang You're Dead" is a killer track - as good a single as the Libertines ever produced - while the band pack so much vitriol into the Hives-esque "You F***ing Love It", you can actually feel their pain as it ends.

In stark contrast to the sense of impending collapse surrounding Babyshambles' debut Down In Albion, Waterloo... sounds remarkably tight. The jangling guitars and Dave Sardy's production provide a real sense of urgency.

After the Libs split most believed Babyshambles would be blunt without Carl's axe, that DPT would be lost without Pete's lyricism and that neither could spawn another Up The Bracket. In hindsight, this is only two thirds correct. This album might not reach the heights of the Libertines debut but it's proof that Mr. Barat is getting along just fine, thank you very much.