Album review: Babyshambles, Sequel To The Prequel (Parlophone)

Like Trent Reznor, Pete Doherty remains ever faithful to his own concerns and his own musical style; but unlike Reznor, he overestimates the ramshackle charm of Babyshambles, which grows threadbare long before the end of Sequel To The Prequel. The bawled slur that passes for Doherty's vocals is less agreeable the older he gets, while the flaccid grunge plaints and raggedy punk thrashes have diminishing appeal. The best track by a country mile is the reggae skank “Doctor No”, whose tight, persuasive groove sounds like a different band entirely. Sadly, it's a lonely outpost of focused spirit here.

Download: Doctor No; New Pair