Album Review: Babyshambles - Shotters Nation

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Album Review: Babyshambles - Shotters Nation

After Babyshambles first album which mixed raw improvisation, flashes of brilliance, cacophony (this is what put off most people off), and from what we’ve read: as the year from hell for Pete Doherty, I’m sure no one knew what to expect a second time around from this band of musical derelicts.

The haze has disappeared and out comes Shotters Nation a focused piece of work, and a true band effort. New member Mick Whitnall who replaces Patrick Walden on guitar, and proving to be a good musical partner for Doherty-- he brings a Ska influence to the band, and producer Stephen Street (Blur, The Smiths) who in the past has brought direction and a touch of polish to where dust lies – he did say it was a bit tough at first trying to attach some discipline to Doherty, nonetheless it has proven to be a successful partnership whiles keeping the focus on the songs and not the debauchery (although that’s what most of the lyrics are about).

Starting off is opener “Carry on up the Morning” which has all the Lib/Babysham moments meshed up together, and is a great start to a solid batch of songs: it’s short, direct, and wayward. “Delivery” is a new Doherty classic: beautiful structure with a killer chorus, and most importantly it will be a mass-sing along at up-coming concerts.

A bit disappointing about this album is that the lyrics have lost that free-falling though life romantic quality about them, and now the words mostly have a falling flat on your face, not getting up, and hoping someone puts a blanket over me, quality to them.
“You Talk” is a perfect example of that: great music but horrible lazy lyrics—Dostoevsky it isn’t anymore.

Other than that we’re back on track with “Side of the road” as it runs repeatedly into the wall along with the “bands and the fans and gangs and the clan with the monkey man high with a little girl at his side” and that’s what I’m talking about, we’re so close to getting the old Doherty back, and that alone brings a smile to my face.

The band is sounding tight and sober also, one listen to “French Dog Blues” (which mixes early mod Who and a great bass hook) and “Unbilo Titled” (with it’s walking up Primrose Hill and then rolling all the way down it sideways sound) will assure you that. The latter song also shows a new direction: very psychedelic, with a beautiful dizzy lost guitar line-- it is when you come to the conclusion that there is a lot more to these guy’s then headlines.

To help bookend this new-lease on life of an album comes the help of cult guitarist Bert Jansch who brings a bucket of gentle beauty to, “The Lost Art Of Murder”, it’s also the moment when Pete brings things to an end with the bold question to ones self “You could change your life / Do you think you'll change their mind”.

Shotters Nation will make you decide whether to desert or embrace them for what seems like a turbulent, but brilliant journey ahead. My advice is that if they keep making music like this, offer to map read for them.

Written by Fabrizio for UKEvents.net