Track Listing

1. Buzzards And Crows - Dirty Pretty Things, Nik Leman, Mike "Spike" Drake, Ben Wood
2. Hippy's Son - Dirty Pretty Things, Nik Leman, Mike "Spike" Drake, Ben Wood
3. Plastic Hearts - Dirty Pretty Things, Graeme Stewart, Mike "Spike" Drake, Terry Edwards, MD, John Eacott, Caroline Hall, Ben Wood
4. Tired Of England - Dirty Pretty Things, Nik Leman & Dirty Pretty Things, Mike Drake, Dick Beetham, Ben Wood
5. Come Closer - Dirty Pretty Things, DPT, Ben Wood, Mike "Spike" Drake
6. Faultines - Dirty Pretty Things, Nik Leman, Mike "Spike" Drake, Ben Wood
7. Kicks Or Consumption - Dirty Pretty Things, Nik Leman, Mike Drake, Ben Wood
8. Best Face - Dirty Pretty Things, Nik Leman, Mike "Spike" Drake, Ben Wood
9. Truth Begins - Dirty Pretty Things, Nik Leman, Mike "Spike" Drake, Terry Edwards, MD, John Eacott, Caroline Hall, Ben Wood, Graeme Stewart
10. Chinese Dogs - Dirty Pretty Things, Nik Leman
11. The North - Dirty Pretty Things, DPT, Audrey Riley, Boguslav Kostecki, Laura Melhuish, Susan Dench, Mike "Spike" Drake, Ben Wood
12. Blood On My Shoes - Dirty Pretty Things, Nik Leman, Mike "Spike" Drake, Ben Wood

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5704 in Music
• Released on: 2008-06-30
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds
• Running time: 46 minutes

CD Description
'Romance At Short Notice' is the second album from British indie outfit Dirty Pretty Things. Recorded between London and Los Angeles, the follow-up to 2006's 'Waterloo To Anywhere' perfectly demonstrates the band's songwriting progression and musical growth. There is added emphasis on the heartfelt, earnest and often angry lyrics from frontman and ex-Libertine Carl Barat, while the punk fuelled guitar riffs and gunshot rhythms remain. Singles include 'Tired Of England'.

Customer Reviews

Unfairly criticised
I have the two Libertines albums and Waterloo to Anywhere and, having heard DPT two or three times performing tracks (Plastik Hearts, Come Closer and Tired of England) from this album prior to its release, I was looking forward to buying it. However, I almost didn't bother because of the many mediochre reviews I read in the music press. But I did buy it and, having listened several times to it, I really like it and have to disagree with the critics. I think it really depends on whether you like the ballads like 'Truth Begins'and 'The North' which really show which of the Libertines has the best voice. The more punchy tracks are also good although they perhaps do not have the 'edge' of the Libertines tracks.
I think that the real problem is that people love to slag off Pete Doherty on account of his drug issues, but somehow, Carl Barat is not really forgiven for NOT being Pete Doherty and too many comparisons are made by many. The fact is, he writes good lyrics, good tunes and has a strong voice and great stage presence and energy. Having had the pleasure of meeting him on a wet evening at a provincial gig recently when he happily chatted to the fans waiting outside in the rain and posed for endless photos ; he has no inflated ego issues either. Instead of grabbing the headlines through his lifestyle like Pete, he is quietly getting on with it and I wish him luck. He is doing his own thing, he is not Pete Doherty or The Libs so please stop comparing him and give him credit for what he does!

Worth waiting for
Wow! My hopes were high but this album exceeded them. Romance at Short Notice contains tracks with the same infectious, punchy, punk influenced flavour to be found on DPTs' debut album, but also introduces us to more complex medlodies and harmonies that we have not heard before from the band. There are many highlights but the stand out track for me is Buzzards and Crows, a 3 minute whirling roller coaster of a song reminiscent of Madness at their best. This album should herald the arrival of DPT's into the nation's conciousness, but it won't, because for some mystifying reason they seem to be judged too "indie?" for mainstream radio. That's a shame, but at least you'll never hear them in the fruit and veg aisle in Asda, and that's no bad thing!

Brilliant second album...
Whilst taking a turn from waterloo to anywhere, this album doen't lack what made DPT so great in the first place: catchy melodies and briliant lyrics (yes, i do refuse to review this album in reference to either the libs or pete, I think DPT are worthy of being reviewed alone). I actually find it impossible to pick out any standout tracks, as they are all genuinely so very good. Because the songs are all quite different from each other, the album doesn't have the same blurring into one song that Waterloo had on the first listen, which is good.
Nice to hear more of the others singing as well, particularly anthony, who has an excellent voice.