A lot has been said about Pete Doherty, he’s been the veritable poster child for bad-boy drug-fueled rocker antics. He’s kept The Mirror, The Independent, Evening Standard and other London papers quite busy reporting on everything from his stormy relationship with Kate Moss to his court appearances.

But what few mention is Doherty’s damn fine songwriting abilities. Shotters Nation showcases that talent, although many of the tracks are filled with words of lost loves or cautionary tales of drug abuse, or both, as in "Lost Art of Murder": "Don’t look at me like she won’t take you back/Said too much, been too unkind/Get up off your back, stop smoking that/Change your life, just might change her mind, her mind."

Nation, rich with Doherty’s poetic offerings, is quite introspective. And though the general 1960s/Johnny Rivers/"Secret Agent Man" feel has a certain appeal, when it’s combined with the meditative lyrics – it can feel repetitive. In comparison with 2005’s release, the wonderfully eclectic Down in Albion, the tunes from Nation seem quieter, safer.

Although, there’s nothing wrong with a concept album of reflective catharsis.

Tracks of Note:

"Baddie’s Boogie" - This one starts out fun. The melody and beat are hopeful, despite the lyrics that speak of the dysfunctional: "Baddie’s bound by ancient codes of decency and secrecy/He understands about stabbin backs and shaking hands…and now she’s thinking/It’s a lousy life for a washed up wife of a permanently plastered, pissed up bastard."

"Delivery" - The title track rocks some fine, if self-pitying, lyrics ("I’m fucked, forlorn, frozen beneath the summer/Don’t sing along or you’ll get what I’ve got") over a danceable beat.

"Lost Art Of Murder" – The guitar work here is some of the most gorgeous acoustic stuff I’ve heard in a while – Pete’s melancholy vocals are accompanied by the legendary folk guitarist Bert Jansch.

"Unstookie Titled" - After "Lost Art of Murder," this is one of the prettiest. It’s also the saddest and most seeming self-aware of the lot.

"Side of the Road" - Although the lyrics are barely comprehensible, this White Stripes-inspired track is a nice bit of fun that cautions "don’t get surrounded by the people you hate."

Let’s hope that Doherty follows his own advice, beguilingly given, in Shotter’s Nation.