By Melissa Moody
Artist: Baby Shambles
Album: Down in Albion
Release date: In stores
Admittedly, upon first learning of Pete Doherty’s new band, I thought it would be as incoherent as his current reputation depicts his personality to be.
I was pleasantly surprised to find that Doherty (vocals), along with Patrick Walden (guitar), Drew McConnell (bass) and Adam Ficek (drums), has produced an interesting album, “Down in Albion,” that includes a surprisingly lucid and eclectic mix of musical styles.
The album is clearly influenced by the British punk scene that produced the Sex Pistols, but subtler influences include the Beatles, on songs like “What Katy did next,” and more obviously reggae, particularly on the track, “Pentonville.”
“Down in Albion” presents a complex, unswerving collection of songs that consistently surprises the listener.
If Doherty can keep a band from falling apart, he may have the talent to produce outstanding and innovative music.
His increasingly frequent arrests for class-A drug possession and the public scandal involving ex-girlfriend Kate Moss playing his Nancy for The Daily Mirror place him squarely in the venerable shoes of Sid Vicious.
Sadly, though, Sid didn’t stick around quite long enough to see the impact his music had on the world, and those following in his footsteps may not, either.
Since Baby Shambles formed two band members have already quit, Gemma Clark in January 2005 and Patrick Walden in January 2006, amid rumors of disputes over Doherty’s erratic behavior.
