The Courteeners: 'Not Nineteen Forever'

Released on Monday, Mar 31 2008

Published Thursday, Mar 13 2008, 16:50 GMT | By Alex Fletcher | 4 comments

In 1994 a gang of shaggy-haired Mancunians scored three hit singles before releasing one of the decade's seminal albums. Fast-forward 14 years and another bunch of cocky Northerners are hoping to follow in the footsteps of the brothers Gallagher. 'Not Nineteen Forever' is The Courteeners' third proper single and, if every song on their forthcoming debut St. Jude is as gorgeous as this, they could be destined for the platinum sales figures of their Manchester forbearers.

Built around the sort of lovely, jangly riff Pete Doherty's spent his entire career trying to make, it's the band's boldest moment to date. While last single 'What Took You So Long' was all introspective lyrics and gloomy guitars, this tune's got a fragile optimism that recalls what was possibly Noel Gallagher's finest hour, 'Live Forever'. Frontman Liam Fray manages to crystallise teenage insecurities and tender romanticism in throwaway couplets ("You'll probably never look that pretty again; you're not nineteen forever, pull yourselves together") that are certain to resonate with the masses. Major-league rock stardom is surely beckoning.

> Click here for our recent interview with The Courteeners

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james, reading, on March 31st, 2008
superb. this band just gets better and better. i love it. i'm tired of reading comparisons to the libertines, i think this band has the swagger and confidence (not arrogance) to be massive, and of course the songs to back it up

Catherine, London, on March 23rd, 2008
The review is spot on. It annoys me the way they are falsely portrayed in the media just because they are from Manchester and the singer is called Liam. They have so much more to offer, as this little gem indicates. Can't wait for the album.

Luke, Halifax, on March 17th, 2008
Absolute Class. Agree fully with this review. Can't wait for the album!

mat burton, Stoke, on March 17th, 2008
Not nineteen forever is a great tune, liam fray is amazing and the courteeners should be heading to greatness. Cant wait to see the set they put out at V o8.