♫ Carl Barât | B-

Carl Barât, best known as Pete Doherty's saner band mate during the heyday of The Libertines, has released his debut solo album. Barât largely avoids the angsty garage rock of his youth as he plays with cabaret, blues and industrial.

His single, "The Magus," is an immediate indicator of Barât's growth. Featuring harmonies, sinister-sounding piano tinkling and lyrics like "The ghosts of many are upon us/ Smoke circles move among us/So be wary on your way,"  "The Magus" is a perfect track for chilly October nights.

"Carve My Name" continues this theme of despondency. Barât sounds like a woesome lounge singer with his easygoing, semi-intoxicated crooning. The background of this track is filled with many different elements to complement his voice such as a piano melody, heavy guitar strumming and occasionally a violin. "So Long My Lover," a breakup song, asks, "Remember when hope was oh so young? /I took you from that drunken bum." 

One of the best songs on the album, "Death Burns Fire At Night," begins with heavy bass and keyboards, that sounds like a relic from an industrial rock record. Barât chants repeatedly about death and destruction, as the bass lines and mysterious cooing sounds slowly get the listener hooked. The song's last 20 seconds or so feature a horn section, which adds an unexpected, mischievous element at the end. On his solo debut, Barât immerses himself in life's seedy underbelly while providing catchy songs. Though it would be nice to hear Barât cheer up every now and then.