At this point in time, it's almost inevitable that any new British band be measured against The Libertines. Despite their tragic demise-or perhaps because of it-the Libertines are the U.K.'s yardstick for all newcomers.

The View multiplied this effect tenfold when one of the Scottish band's members slipped Pete Doherty, the infamous former lead singer of The Libertines, a demo tape. Doherty loved the demo and helped The View land a deal. The View's debut album, "Hats Off to the Buskers," reached number one on the charts upon its U.K. release in January.

Perhaps it was an echo of his former self that Doherty liked so much. His influence is undeniably apparent on "Hats Off." NME has dubbed The View "Scotland's answer to the Libertines." With their clanging guitars and the fraught vocals of lead singer Kyle Falconer, The View has captured The Libertines' sound. But under the guidance of producer, Owen Morris (Oasis, The Verve), it's clear that The View are up to something more than a Libertines tribute. On "Hats Off," the band proves it has its own mark to make.

The band is versatile and consistently good. From the Beatles-esque pop ditty, "The Don," to the pulse-pounding guitar of The View's best Zeppelin impression, "Comin' Down," The View can do it all. The View never quite match Doherty's poetic eloquence because they choose to stick to Arctic Monkeys' territory-"Don't Tell Me" and "Dance into the Night" conjure blurry memories of late-night partying. The View may do this best on "Wasted Little DJs," with a stammering sing-along chorus that celebrates a Saturday night spent on the dance floor. The band also contemplates some deeper matters. On "Same Jeans," the band proclaims in the midst of their dizzying success: "You'd be amazed at what you can achieve in a year."

The album hits its high point as Falconer triumphantly rejects the financially stable life in "Superstar Tradesman." Here, The View is at their catchiest and most poignant lyrically.

The View is not incredibly fresh, but they impress on their debut. In choosing to work with Morris, they are clearly aiming for widespread appeal. "Hats Off" is due for U.S. release on March 13. If The View is lucky, the recent success of The Arctic Monkeys in the U.S. will have opened some doors for them. Whatever commercial success it has, "Hats Off" is the best album of the year so far. Do yourself a favor and check it out.