Alright, I’m going to say it. Pete Doherty is just so darn talented.

Doherty and Babyshambles return with their second ablum Shotter’s Nation on October 23 (October 1 in the UK).Upon first listen, it’s evident why Doherty is so talked about. Though he’s a tabloid magnet, he is also an immensely talented artist, whose lyrics are as good as anyones.

Shotter’s Nation is Doherty’s best work since The Libertines era. The album, as expected, still has a hint of Libertine’s sound on it as well as some Strokes and Blur influenced styles. But in the end, the album is a very unique effort. Each song has a distinct sound accompanied by very emotional, personal and intelligent lyrics.

The album’s first track “Carry On Up The Morning” sounds like a old Libertines song, while the album’s first single “Delivery” features a riveting guitar part and melodic chorus. Among particular album highlights are “Side of the Road”, which sounds like a classic Clash song and the probable personal narrative about Doherty’s relationship with Kate Moss entitled “There She Goes”. Other highlights include “Crumb Begging Baghead”, “Unstookie Titled”, and “UnBioTitled”.

Gone is the sense of depression that was on the Babyshambles debut album Down in Albion. Doherty’s vocals have greatly approved and he apparently has accepted the actions of his past. It’s clear he is using this album to express the emotional past few years. He is trying to mature, and vocally expresses this, singing in “Lost Art of Murder”, “She won’t take you back/ Said too much, been too unkind/ Get up off your back/ Stop smoking that/ Change your life, she just might change her mind”.

Doherty appears to be back. Well, at least for the time being. Let’s just hope for his sake that this great musician can stay clean long enough to take full advantage of his unbelievable musical talents.

Lyrics: A
Sound: B+
Instrumentation: B+
Overall: A-

Check Out:
“Delivery”
“Crumb Begging Baghead”
“French Dog Blues”

Categories: Album Reviews
Tags: Babyshambles, Pete Doherty