Hamburg Demonstrations

I’ve been a genuine fan of The Libertines. I’ve had the joy of seeing them live and it’s amazing. I also love Carl Barat’s and Pete’s solo work. Much of Pete’s musical endeavors outside of The Libertines has been hit or miss. Sometimes the drunkard stupor of the delivery works and many times it’s just tiring. With this cd, he seems to have regained his focus. Lyrically some of his best work. It’s a mixed bag of emotions but works on every level. The musicianship is stellar with gentle touches here and there. It’s his first cd that I’ve listened on repeat while driving.

Nice to hear Peter again....Totally different from the last solo album but definitely just as good...Deeper and more thought out.

First of all, I love The Libertines... Up the Bracket, the Self Titled album, and even after they broke up, I kept them a unit by weaving the Babyshambles and Peter Doherty solo records together with the Dirty Pretty Things and Carl Barat Solo records, creating a surprisingly cohesive string of double albums! (PSYCHO FAN ALERT) Anyways, The Libertines returned last year and the world rejoiced... now we already have a new solo set by Peter Doherty, and until Carl Barat feels the pull to do something out side of the next Libertines record, I can enjoy this as a stand alone album... because this sounds like a man taking stock, after a decade of searching, and finding he's grateful to be alive and well.

It seems that Pete’s star has dimmed a little over the last few years, in the eyes of the music journalists anyway (I think they were all hoping that he would die before he reached 28). Which means the media pressure & scrutiny is nowhere near as intense for the recording of this album, giving Doherty one less distraction.Apparently the songs were all first record onto four-track, then handed over to German producer John Scheener, whom without Pete’s knowledge, added all the bells & whistles & so instead of the usual charming, slightly ramshackle offering, we hear a much lusher, polished & mature sounding album.There’s still the fascinating Doherty lyrics, but it’s a if he has finally grown up & turning into the great singer songwriter he has been threatening to do for a considerable time, although releasing the album the same week as the new Stones record (Blue & Lonesome) probably will not help the record sales.

I'm a huge Libertines fan & love Babyshambles as well but like his 1st solo album this is painfully boring. It's even more rambling and directionless than the 1st. No memorable songs to be heard.