DVDfever.co.uk - Peter Doherty: Grace/Wastelands CD reviewDVDfever.co.uk - Charts, News and Reviews of Blu-rays, DVDs, Games, CDs, Hardware, Laserdiscs, Cinema Films & more
Staying clean (as far we know) has clearly paid dividends for naughty Mr. P. Doherty.
For as long as I can recall, Doherty has been his own worst enemy, infuriating both die-hard fans and Joe public. He’s provided us with enough ammunition – chaotic personal life and prolific court appearances due to…well, we won’t go there shall we?
Now 30, maybe, just maybe, the wayward one has, uh, matured?
This excellent CD would indicate so. We mustn’t forget at this juncture both Blur’s Graham Coxon (second guitar) and producer Stephen Street help out, both an interesting, and significant choice as it happens.
They must have wondered what the hell they were getting into. Someone up there has been kind to Mr.D.
Pop’s most colourful, and previously wasted, talent gives us some indication of his much touted abilities. In truth, Grace / Wastelands comes as big, big surprise - a pleasing one at that - though hints were seeping through on Babyshambles’ second album Shotter’s Nation last year, but more particularly his collaboration with Wolfman on 2004’s fab For Lovers.
We have to dismiss Shotter’s immediately because it was a collective effort. This is very much a Peter Doherty album (whatever that is) that’ll do much for his credibility.
So, sticking out his neck (to be crucified or not) our Pete (sorry, it’s Peter now) makes a real fist of his first solo.
On my guard, I was erring on the side of caution, I was probably predisposed to giving it a right old panning. So, it’s time to eat humble pie – well almost.
It’s obvious that things are a bit more stable in his life (right now) because there’s some crackin’ songs here – classy ones at that too, drawing on many musical influences, including musical theatre both traditional and contemporary like Sweet By And By and New Love Grows On Trees respectively.
It’s Bob Dylan (subconsciously we assume) that inspired the opening song Arcady, a sweet acoustic jolly jaunt, and I’m sure Ray Davies gets a nod on I Am The Rain.
The brilliant single Last Of The English Roses takes its cues from heavy 1990s trip-hop, and possibly something Damon Albarn would conjure via thumping basslines: this is seriously cool stuff from one so previously shambolic.
In sharp contrast, 1939 Returning is a tender reflection of war time. Apparently, there were plans to duet with Amy Winehouse. What a thought.
Then as if John Barry just popped in, masses of sweeping strings accompany a lush story of stealing a ‘lass’, mingled with acoustic splashes, contrast gloriously on A Little Death Around The Eyes, co-written with Carl Barat.
If Doherty gets a chance to slip out another single before Babyshambles forthcoming album, then acoustic pseudo-rockabilly Palace Of Bone is it.
Finally waving his magic wand, the gorgeous duet with Dot Allison shows that he’s got the ability to write a tender, if tragic, ballad Sheepskin Tearaway.
And that Wolfman – Peter Wolfe - ain’t too far again as they co-write the epic Broken Love Song, arguably the album’s star track.
Radio: Hear tracks soon on THE PLUG at
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The full list of tracks included are :
1. Arcady
2. Last Of The English Roses
3. 1939 Returning
4. A Little Death Around The Eyes
5. Salome
6. I Am The Rain
7. Sweet By And By
8. Palace Of Bone
9. Sheepskin Tearaway
10. Broken Love Song
11. New Love Grows On Trees
12. Lady Don’t Fall Backwards
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