POST-Libertines, the band's former front men Carl Barat and Pete Doherty could not appear more different.

The latter cuts a sad, desperate figure as the singer of Babyshambles.

Barat, always more sensible, is brimming with confidence after forming Dirty Pretty Things with the remains of The Libertines and bassist Didz Hammond, formerly of Cooper Temple Clause.

Musically, Doherty's efforts have been typically haphazard with his debut album Down In Albion a rough, rambling embarrassment. When he has bothered to turn up for gigs, his voice has been incoherent.

As for Barat, Waterloo To Anywhere highlights who had the talent. He has effectively made another good Libs album, but with even grittier guitars and an abiding sense of Englishness.

The singer is still angry too, mostly when making references to his former soulmate. "I gave you the Midas touch," he rants on the fabulously catchy single, Bang Bang Your Dead. "As you turned round to scratch out my heart."

Gin & Milk and You ******* Love It are ferocious melodic punk songs, which sit well with the likes of darker, but deeper numbers, The Enemy and Blood Thirsty ********.

Only the music hall silliness of B.U.R.M.A. brings light relief, but sounds too much like a Libertines b-side.

In conclusion then, just as Ian Brown has thrashed John Squire in the musical stakes since their Stone Roses days, Barat wins this first bout with some ease. Let us hope Doherty lives long enough for round two.