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Showing reviews 1-5 of 69
 Heard the promo album - its a blinder October 23, 2005
Marc Yerrell
25 out of 29 found this review helpful
I am fortunate enough to borrow a promo copy of this album from an associate of mine, and I have to say it is very impressive.pDifferent and Suprising - the only way to describe this album. Being a Libertines fan from the start, I quickly turned to the babyshambles after their split. The babyshambles, although they have had their ups and downs are a band of quality and excellence, and this album prooves their worth.pThe opening track is an unusual mix of sounds and lyrics, quite different from the rest of the album. A mixture of different beats, fast and slow, a repeating "batman theme" style tune runs through the song. One other suprise on this track is the female voice which kicks in after a couple of minutes - kate moss? Track two f*** Forever - brilliant! a previous release from the babyshambles. Following that A'rebours is ok quite difficult to understand, and my least favourite track on the album. From the least favourite track comes the best track, the 32nd of December. An amazing song in Libertines style, surely will be a future single release. A bright, loud and lyriclly dark track - Stunning. A great blend of catchy riffs and instrumentals. Pipedown and sticks and stones are the next tracks, both very good in their own right. Sticks and stones is totally different from what I have ever heard. In a reggae style tune, only pete dohertys familiar voice links this with the band!. Other superb songs on the album include Killamangiro, completlly revampt to the single version on the album and down in albion, the forthcoming single, the best track to date. Overall, absolutlly fantastic, both lyriclly and musiclly. A sure hit and comes highly reccommended.
Kinsale revisited November 13, 2005
H. McConnell (Tenerife)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful
Many years ago, I spent my summers in a place called Kinsale in Co. Cork. In those days we had a record player and a small bunch of records which we played until the stylus ploughed its way through to the other side. Bob Dylan, The Kinks, The Beatles, James Taylor, The Peddlers The Stones and sundry others. p"If music be the food of love, play on!", said the Bard. Well, all that (Kinsale stuff) happened to me when I was younger than the youngest member of Babyshambles. I heard the Album in Tenerife (I live there now because Kinsale is too bloody expensive and my youth is too difficult to get hold of and Drew#x27;s brother presented me with a copy). That bunch (Babyshambles) are good. They are bloody good. Why? Because they have dragged my past into the present with a mixture of the stuff I love from 30 odd years ago, wrapped up in a modern-day package. "Steeped in tradition" (La Belle et la Bete) is about gin? Lovely! Tradition, surely, includes Batman and all that went with "Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner".pI reckon the guys are playing with us.pWho can say that "The 32nd of December" is not a serious reminder of "Pretty Flamingo"? (Remember Personfred Personn?)pThe "Pentonville" thing is out of context, but is magic. A lot better than the infamous "Revolution No. 9" on a rather well known double album from when I was young.pI am getting old now. I am not capable of crowd surfing and all that stuff. But I do remember my halcyon days, when Jagger and Burdon were the "Bad Boys" and Rock stars were permanently on the brink of popping their clogs. Down In Albion brings it all back, albeit in a shambolic sort of way. Jesus, just listen.pThe trick is to listen.
It's a shambles, baby, and i'd be a fool to resist! July 27, 2007
Luton Ghoul (Luton, England)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is not like the Libertines stuff, i think it's far better.If you're more into purely Libertines-style songs then go for Dirty Pretty Things. Down In Albion has such a mix of different styles of songs: hard and fast, acoustic rumbling, love songs, with sloppy guitars, mumbles and screams, muttering, Kate Moss singing, chants, wails,even the sounds of cups of tea being made.
br /16 songs, most of which are over three mins, a lot are over four mins.
br /I bought this over a year ago and it stayed in my player for months.
br /If you like romantic notions of great Albion: streets, railway stations, gutters and bus stops, if you like bands like The Smiths, and if you like libertinesque songs it does have some, plus raw, mean punk riffs, plus jangley guitars and crooning, get it.
br /This is excellent melodies, lyrics, music, proving these boys in the band have definately got it. A briliant first album from this band.
br /A perfect shambles.
Not The Libertines, But Not Far Off April 21, 2006
One Love, One Heart, Lets Get Together... (GREAT Britain)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
This album IS top quality, and unfortunately I think the bad reviews are down to numerous comparisons with The Libertines. The sad truth is The Libertines could, and never will be bettered or replaced.
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br / For that very reason, I think it is unfair to critisize Babyshambles work. This album is quite raw but contains some beautiful music and even some lyrical genius from Ms(Kate)Moss.
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br /I'd say that the highlights include 'A'Rebours', 'Albion' and 'Back From The Dead' although they are quite soft,gentle songs. In terms of heavier songs 'F**k Forever' and 'Kilamangiro' deserve a mention, but the other songs on the album are fantastic as well. There us even a sequel, 'What Katie Did Next' which takes a couple of listens, but is excellent. However, it could never match the original.
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br / I think Pete has done a good job with 'The Shambles' and I hope he will continue to write superb songs.
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br /Please don't dismiss this album because of his negative press, and don't expect The Libertines, but it is not far off.
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br /I strongly suggest you buy this album ASAP, and watch out for Dirty Pretty Things.
Back In Albion is amazing, just give it a try. November 16, 2005
Paul Thomas
9 out of 11 found this review helpful
I guess you all know babyshambles, or what they are really famous for... Peter Doherty. pIf your not a fan of Pete#x27;s massively documented personal life, which lets face it, he#x27;s mainly famous for, then i still think you should listen to this before you judge. Theres a talent here that just cant be ignored. pBack In Albion is a fantastic album that on first listen has the ability to decieve. When i first heard this, i would have rated it #x27;distinctly average#x27;... that just simply isnt the case! This album is very personal and many of the songs can be related to experiences in Pete#x27;s life that many fans will be aware of. This ranges from his relationship with Kate Moss, and his drug addiction, to his troubled relationship with ex bandmate from the Libertines Carl Barratt. pThe music is fantastic, and it will have you reminiscing back to the joyous days you first heard the Libertines. Its refreshing in the fact that many of the songs that you have heard in the various babyshambles sessions arnt on this CD, its all new material and is a pleasure to hear. Even the tracks we all know have been re-recorded live to present an element of rawness that will have you singing and bobbing your head in no time. If i had to name the best songs, which i dont really want to, the first would have to be #x27;La Belle Et La Bete#x27; which contain Kate#x27;s vocals, which are a very pleasant surprise. The second is Albion, which is just fantastic, the lyrics are some of the best ever written by Pete. pIf you were a fan of the Libs, you#x27;ll fall in love with this. This is a must have album.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 69
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