Babyshambles [Single]

"first news was there's americans on the shore/

maybe maybe maybe now we're all goin' to war/

maybe maybe maybe you'll be running for the door/

maybe maybe maybe you'll be screaming out for more"

so begins the title track of the first single from former libertine peter doherty's new band, both of which are titled "babyshambles". if you still don't know who the libertines were, pick up their albums as well. three songs into 'up the bracket' [produced by mick jones of the clash] you'll be kicking yourself for missing the best thing to happen to rock n' roll on either side of the pond since the beatles. alas, the libertines are no more, but peter doherty's genius presses on through this new venture as well as his solo work and side collaborations.

revered as a libertine by critics and fans alike for shambolic punk performances (replete with literary lyrics) and a heartbreakingly lovely way with a ballad, "babyshambles" points up mr. doherty's flair for (seemingly effortlessly) combining infectious melody with progressive political mores and quintessential british sensibilities. written in the run up to the unpopular military action against iraq, one can't deny mr. doherty's got his fingers as confidently on the pulse of his generation of countrymen as on his guitar.

the resonance of these lyrics puts one in mind of the anthemic "time for heroes" (from "did you see the stylish kids in the riot/shoveled up like muck/set the night on fire?" straight through to "there's fewer more distressing sights/than that of an englishman in a baseball hat"), recorded with the libertines. the simple honesty and ideals - and faith in simple honesty and ideals - in doherty's songwriting both within the libertines and with the new babyshambles, has struck a chord with indie music fans both in england and in the states, and indeed around the world.

longtime fans feeling rather dubious about anything being able to compare with the libertines should have their fears allayed after giving this a listen. the new band's performance on the up-tempo "babyshambles" is excellent. you can hardly stay in your seat. we're also treated to a studio recording of lilting fan favorite "what katie did" ("whatcha gonna do, katie?/ you're a sweet, sweet girl, i know/ but it's a cruel, cruel, world..." including its "shoop-shoop-de-lang-de-lang" refrain. mr. doherty is nothing if not versatile.)

the requisite heartstopper-that's-so-good-you-wonder-why-it's-a-b-side on this particular single is a haunting ballad called "at the flophouse".

"i took one draught of life/

paid only the market price/

now i'm estranged..."

the lyrics invoke regret from someone who has lost his way just when things finally seemed to get going on the right path, and who senses that people have things they want to say to him and that there are things he needs to say as well:

"i'm so soz if i neglected you/

i mean you no harm/

i mean you no harm/

and i'm so soz if i disrespected you/

mean you no harm/

mean you no harm..."

the sincerity and tenderness, and the universality of the apology sung in the refrain of this song is enough to make you cry, whatever your gender, age, or the current state of your personal affairs. it's breathtaking.

so, the best news is young mr. doherty hasn't lost his touch at all.

Pete Doherty has all the makings of a tragic rock star. The lifestyle, the addictions (he had to spend many weeks in rehab in 2004), the band arguments, the ever imminent threat of an early death, and a startling ability to make brilliant music. Each track here is superb, from the guitar pounding title track, to the slow, playful and light ditty, 'Flophouse'. This CD sparkles and truly is a brilliant addition to Doherty's marvellous back catalogue, also updating old favourite 'What Katie Did'. Lets hope Doherty can pull himself back from the brink of joining the rank of tradgic rock stars such as Kurt Cobain and Richey Edwards, and deliver many more brilliant tunes such as the three on offer here.

A must for all Libertines fans - the best single of 2004