Down In Albion - Babyshambles

Isn’t it sad to see someone who once had such potential fall from grace so dramatically? When The Libertines released their debut album, ‘Up The Bracket’ back in 2002, it was the sound of a band raw, but overflowing with talent. Peter Doherty had a whiff of lyrical brilliance with that particular British tint that was reminiscent of the late, great Joe Strummer, and in Carlos Barat he had the perfect foil, a talented guitarist whose lyrical side wasn’t as strong…in other words an opposite number, a partner to work with in the same fashion Strummer had with Mick Jones. Sadly, Doherty and Barat’s partnership went wrong far quicker than Jones and Strummer’s ...  Read the complete review

'Down In Albion' is the debut album of Babyshambles, a post-punk indie group fronted by ex-Libertines frontman, Pete 'Everybody's favourite drug user' Doherty. The band was formed in the aftermath of the break-up of the Libertines and deviates in a slightlly different musical direction to that of the Libertines. The rest of the band has not remained so constant. The band are on their third drummer, no longer have a second vocalist, they have had at least two different bassists and three rhythm guitar players. This is due to varying reasons, including drug problems for the departing members, the band's own drug abuse, musical disagreements, altercations with ...  Read the complete review

Down in the Albion will be regarded in time as classic British Punk Rock Album. It's Raw, edgy, obscure, shambolic, dark and charts the state of mind of lead singer Pete Doherty at the time this album was being made. You can very much tell Mick Jones (member of the band The Clash and also producer of The Libertines albums) inspired this album with its very in your face lyrics and distorted guitar riffs. Yes, it feels like a miracle when you get to the end and realise it hasn't self-imploded. And yeah, you still kind of wish it was Carl, John and Gary bashing away in the background. But the awkward truth is that, Babyshambles sound way more like The ...  Read the complete review

DOWN IN ALBION is the title of British ban BABYSHAMBLES album. The album features 16 tracks. The opening song LA BELLE AT LA BETE is a gentle song with some pretentious lyrics that seem to fit well with the melodies that flow along with the vocals. F**K FOREVER is an aggressive song that lyrically is poor, but musically is sound with decent vocals. A'REBOURS is once more a bit pretentious with it's lyrics although features a good bass line and a catchy chorus. THE 32 OF DECEMBER tells a great story through the lyrics and is helped by the superb instrumental support that kicks new life into the song. PIPEDOWN ...  Read the complete review

After the break up of 'The Libertines' it was always going to be interesting to see how Pete Doherty would manage without a partnership. It seems that his raw talent for writing lyrics is still as strong as ever but some songs are definitely worth skipping on this album. The album starts relatively strongly with 'La Belle Et La Bete' providing something a bit different to what you would expect, then 'F*** Forever' providing another good song both lyrically and musically. However songs such as 'Sticks And Stones and most definitely 'Pentonville' which has to be one of the worst songs ever to be released on an album are worth skipping. In complete contrast ...  Read the complete review