BABYSHAMBLES
SEQUEL TO THE PREQUEL
Album Review
@rocknrollparksy
It’s been six
years since Babyshambles last released an album of new material. Since then
Peter has made a solo album, reformed The Libertines, moved to Paris, made a
film with Charlotte Gainsbourg, had another child, more drug problems and been back to prison, while bassist Drew McConnell
has played with La’s frontman Lee Mavers and was involved in a serious motor
accident in which some album tracks took form, while guitarist Mik Witnall has battled his drug demons and drummer Adam
Ficek departed the band to form Roses Kings Castles - more than enough to fill the
time.
The album, at
first touted as Peter’s 2nd solo album was being pieced together to
include songs such as ‘Amy’, a Camden ode to Amy Winehouse, ‘Down For The
Outing’, 'Cell Ceiling Blues' ‘Gangster’s Daughter’, ‘Stranger In My Own Skin’, ‘Siberian Fur’ and ‘Bird
Cage’, the latter featuring on Peter's mixed received film, Confession of a Child of the Century.
Then it was announced the album would be released through Parolophone as
the ‘shambles third. Drew and Mik relocated to Paris with new drummer
Adam Falkner, and began piecing together ‘Sequel to the Prequel’ while playing small intimate gigs, usually in the corner of a bohemian bar, in Paris.
A number of the tracks featured on the album have been played live by the band, such as 'Maybelline' with 'Fireman', 'Farmer's Daughter' (then known as 'Sunlight & Snow') and extra album tracks 'Cuckoo' and 'Stranger In My Own Skin' have been widely bootlegged for some years by fans.
Could this be Babyshambles' triumphant return? or as the final album track states - are they pissing in the wind?
Tracklisting:
1. ) FIREMAN
‘I am the fireman!’
It's been six years, have the 'Shambles progressed into the more acoustic side of 'Shotters Nation' but the album starts with
a crash bang wallop punk opener and races through 1:41 of typical Peter vocals. A solid album
opener to surprise anyone and a certain live set opener to truly announce their return, not their
best song but certainly a song needed for the context of the album. The 'Shambles have shown no hint of slowing down with fast and fuzzy guitars and lyrics like 'it's breakfast time, have a pot of wine..' maybe France really has rubbed off on Peter.
2.) NOTHING
COMES TO NOTHING
‘nothing
comes to nothing without my baby..’
Classic
Babyshambles. Pete-Pop. Big choruses and that classic Pete vocal style that
defines his lyrical and song delivery. Guaranteed live favourite. Welcome back, baby.
3.) NEW
PAIR
‘he
looks through the world with anaesthetic shades..’
A bit more in the
vein of Shotter’s Nation but retaining the edge. A solid track but could have
done with being faster.
4.) FARMER’S
DAUGHTER
‘to
where the sunlight hits the snow..’
Another sheer Pete-Pop
song. Some nice lead guitar work here, and as always Drew’s bass never does too
much but compliment. Another massive sing-along chorus and arguably one of Pete’s
best vocal takes. Surely must be the next single.
5.) FALL
FROM GRACE
‘well
my head hangs high while my hands are tied..’
The media have
always been fascinated with Pete. Though The Libertines, jail time, drug
problems, Kate Moss saga; they’ve never let him be. One song Pete could have
written at any time. I think this song takes a stab at the twisting knife of
the media. Another solid sing along album track. Co-written with John Robinson
of The Bandits, who also co-wrote ‘I Am The Rain’ from Grace/Wastelands. Hold your head up high Pete.
6.) MAYBELLINE
‘won’t
you crash into my arms..?’
Another sheer Pete-pop
track. A cracking stop-start chord progression make it a sure single, with a
repeated verse and chorus, similar to ‘Where Angels Play’ by The Stone Roses with a Morrissey type production,
with a Doherty vocal over the top, yet retains as a vintage Babyshambles track,
who have always been able to write an edgy ‘indie-pop’ track. Already a fan
favourite, first being performed in 2008.
7.) SEQUEL TO THE PREQUEL
‘it’s
the sequel to the prequel tonight!’
With a low-fi
start of Pete singing and strumming away, seemingly jamming over a vinyl,
breaks into a track reminiscent to early Libertines tracks such as ‘Anything
But Love’. The band bounce through the song with a cabaret type feel.
8.) DR. NO
‘there
are sharks in the water and the water’s deep..’
Not influenced by the Bond film of the same name, Babyshambles are
one of the few bands who get away with reggae influenced tracks. Another sure
live favourite. For me, this is the albums highlight. With a bouncing bassline
and some more fantastic ska lead guitar work from Mik, Pete's vocal swaggers throughout the song's duration, with some
sheer Doherty-esque lyrical work.
9.) PENGUINS
‘we
could see penguins, oh penguins are great..’
After bouncing
through ‘Dr. No’, the record slows up for a moment with ‘Penguins’ and Pete
taking a trip through a zoo with his admiration for penguins and seeing snakes until
a guitar interlude and then erupting into a different tune altogether. After a few listens the song really grew on me. More than just a trip to the zoo.
10.) PICTURE ME IN A HOSPITAL
‘where
the blood runs red..’
The album kicks
off again here. The violin work here is fantastic. Another perfect unique vocal
which Libertines and ‘Shambles fans have come to adore. Written with Drew about
his time in hospital as well as Pete’s own health. Sure to be another crowd
favourite. The tempo changes and song structure make this another album
highlight.
11.) SEVEN SHADES
‘are
you trying to say this world’s not beautiful enough?’
If there was any
doubt this was a Babyshambles record it ends here, with a perfect mix of the
rough and rawness of ‘Down In Albion’ but the maturity and progression of ‘Shotters
Nation’. Sure to be live and loud.
12.) MINEFIELD
‘it’s
a minefield out there!’
Apparently conceived
in the rehearsal room during a thunder storm, and it’s captured here. Moody guitar
and bass and a classic Pete snarling vocal take and lyrical work, like this ‘Shambles
era ‘Gang Of Gin’.
One of the best songs they've written as band, with input from John Robinson once again. A perfect
album closer and surely has to close the live shows in a wave of distortion. The recurring lyric of 'it's a minefield out there..' and dark guitars is what makes the band. For Peter Doherty the outside world is a minefield.
Bonus tracks:
13.) CUCKOO
A possible ode to his Libertine partner in crime, Carl Barat? with lyrics referring to 'forgiveness of crimes' - i.e Peter breaking into Carl's flat etc and 'you still bring me a song' - it was rumoured the pair were writing together again.
The song breaks up into two parts with the band giving Peter a canvas on which to express himself as he sings away, forever in vagueness before breaking into a reggae number.
14.) STRANGER IN MY OWN SKIN
'when you're back is up against the wall, do you come out fighting? do you come out at all?'
The one song I think should have made the album, having been played by Peter in past solo gigs and by the band themselves. Some of Peter's best lyrics in a while, and surprisingly, another fantastic vocal, which after 10 years of toxic smoke intake, he still sounds fantastic. Great track.
15.) THE VERY LAST BOY ALIVE
'will you follow me through the good times? - I bet you will!'
From the first chord, the song sounds very much like very early Babyshambles when Patrick Walden was still in the band. Expect it to be loud when live.
16.) AFTER HOURS
'if you close the door, the night could last forever'
Another song sounding very much like the very early cabaret Libertines when Mr Razzocks was still on the kit.
Hopefully it’s
not too long until the next one. Time to dig out my striped top, leather jacket and pork pie hat. Welcome back lads.
Overall: 8/10.
Highlights: ‘Dr. No’, ‘Minefield’ & ‘Farmer’s Daughter’
Contact:
@babyshamblesuk
@petedoherty
@rocknrollparksy
@drewhelsinki
@adamjfalkner
