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After the universal panning of Babyshambles debut album, things started to look up with the release of last year’s The Blinding EP. That offering was a tight collection of edgy British rock which served to whet the appetite for the band’s sophomore album, Shotter’s Nation.
Unfortunately, now that the album is here, it seems that Pete Doherty and friends hopped into the studio before they were good and ready. The result is nothing short of a disappointment.
Now don’t get me wrong, there are some diamonds in the rough. But ultimately there isn’t enough here to warrant your repeated attention – and isn’t that the purpose of any album?
So the diamonds... well, first single ‘Delivery’ is a great track, it has everything you could want and more. It’s all crunching guitars and a honey sweet chorus, wrapped up in a tight three minute package.
‘You Talk’ and ‘UnBiloTitled’ then impress, as Doherty serves up a dose of heartfelt lyricism. These tracks work through their simplicity and directness, as melodies interplay with lines of brutal honesty such as;
“You said that you loved me... why don’t you fuck off.”
I’ve been scratching my head trying to figure out who he is talking about here?
Anyway, where was I? Ah yes, so we are now four tracks into a twelve track album... and I’m done. The rest of the album is an exercise in repetition, with an overwhelming lack of new ideas and ambition.
Three words for you my friends. Download the singles.
Essential Tracks
Delivery
You Talk
UnBiloTitled
Full Track Listing
1. Carry On Up the Morning (2:56)
2. Delivery (2:41)
3. You Talk (3:29)
4. UnBiloTitled (3:51)
5. Side of the Road (2:09)
6. Crumb Begging (3:43)
7. Unstookie Titled (4:30)
8. French Dog Blues (3:32)
9. There She Goes (3:35)
10. Baddies Boogie (3:54)
11. Deft Left Hand (4:03)
12. Lost Art of Murder (4:38)
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