Music Review

03 December 2008 05:16 BST

Babyshambles: The Blinding EP

Regal, December 4th.

In a nutshell…

Remorseful, angry, poetic, eclectic, melancholic

What's it all about?

The Blinding EP marks the return of Babyshambles after a critically lampooned debut album and a year of arrests, rehab attempts and polarised gigs. Under a new label in Regal, Babyshambles have the chance to reintroduce themselves musically. This EP aims to provide an eclectic and varied taster of the band's 'new' sound while impressing the label, the public and the critics into anticipating a second full length record. The title track is three minutes of thrashing guitar pop, saddled with Pete Doherty's angry and repentant lyrics. "What will you do?/If she runs out of time for you/Where will you go?/We've got things to getting on with/On with the show!" He sings, possibly referencing the role Kate Moss has in his rehabilitation and the demands of heading a touring and recording band. The video is marked with paparazzi flashes and Doherty blinded by black tape, which perhaps suits his meandering way of falling from problem to problem. The EP includes the popular Beg, Steal or Borrow and the live favourite, Sedative.

Who's it by?

Babyshambles were formed in the wake of the spiralling destruction of the Libertines and the band produced a debut single around the time that Carl Barat and co decided that Doherty's drug-taking was out of control. With bags of bitterness and copious talent, Doherty launched himself into too many gigs and producing songs that hit out at his former bandmate, notably Gang of Gin which labelled everybody other than Pete as a muppet and a puppet. This process resulted in Doherty reaching a level of dangerously excessive drug use, crying over his former drummer's kit and asking her to help him while on stage. She subsequently quit and the band seemed to be reaching a plateau.

Then Kate Moss came along, another band member was replaced and the band managed to produce a record. Sadly, although at times brilliant, the album was tugged back constantly by hangers on (Pentonville Rough) poor guitar play (8 Dead Boys) and Pete preoccupied in his own world (Sticks and Stones).

As an example…

"It's a sedative/oh he was my hero/then I had a hit/what's he really like now/it's been a long long time since I stepped outside." Sedative marks the point at which Babyshambles are comfortable and playing well, it's an anthem that trumps Killamamgiro and F**k Forever.

Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys

Doherty is lambasted for the wrong things at times. He can sing extremely well (For Lovers) and write outstanding songs (The Good Old Days). The Libertines collected more awards than you could shake a rubber stick at, so who knows.

What the others say

"The Blinding EP: a half-hearted, previously sidelined B-side or out-take that will have to do for the time being until Petey can be bothered to put some effort in again." - musicOMH.com

"Exposed to this EP, even those of us who despise Pete Doherty beyond all mortal sense will have to concede the lanky one some sliver of genius." - NME

So is it any good?

The Blinding EP isn't a fantastic listen all the way through; in an ideal world the band would have picked a few different songs and perhaps chosen only new material. Live favourites such as French Dog Blues and other new acoustic compositions may have been better suited to a five-track record. Love You But You're Green, the second track on the EP, is an old Libertines song slowed down significantly by the band. It screams out 'we can do a slow song!' but there really wasn't any need for it to be included. With Doherty performing it acoustically, the track is nothing short of brilliant. However, a full band version ruins it somewhat. The other four tracks are all new and demonstrate a greater clarity in both Doherty's songwriting and vocals. I Wish takes a shot at producing a ska and reggae influenced track with Doherty singing in a fitting fashion. After a few listens you realise they just about pull it off. The other three songs are among the strongest material that the band have ever produced, with Beg, Steal or Borrow sounding great either acoustically or as a full band version. "Why should I wait until tomorrow/I've already been/I've already seen all of the sorrow that's in store," Doherty sings, in a tune that best sums up those quiet moments in his life when he reflects on some of the situations he's found himself in – and some of the people he associates with.

Sedative, the concluding track, sounds like a band united, with a togetherness that hasn't been seen before. When the final chorus rings in, Adam, Drew and Mick begin singing Doherty's words before Pete joins them in a triumphant finale. This EP contains some of Babyshambles' finest material and shows how talented Doherty and his band mates really are. Shame he can't find it within himself to finish the job and stay out of trouble; lets hope one day things change.

9/10

Karl Pike