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.
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Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
nice review mary. gee, we all seem to have our fingers crossed for this guy, eh?
2 - Mary K. Williams
thanks Mark.
I know, and what's weirder is to write about Pete, while reading the Nikki Sixx book.
3 - Sarge
Yes, definately.. and what's even weirder is the fact that Nikki Sixx has come out in the press recently saying he has a crush on Kate Moss!
4 - Mat Brewster
Good stuff Mary. I've got this one on the list of things to pick up, but it keeps getting mixed reviews. Do hope that Pete gets his stuff together soon and hangs around awhile.
5 - DukeDeMondo
Sir Mary, excellent stuff. I agree to a large extent that the overall feel of the record is a touch too safe, too predictable maybe, especially after the freewheelin' delirium of much of Down In Albion. But in sayin that, it is nonetheless a beautiful record. Taken individually those songs are staggerin. Just that the overall effect is lessened some when they're tumblin out other's thighs like that. And by God - that secret agent man reference has me now squealin with curiosity - there's a track on Bruce Willis' Return Of Bruno record by that name, and a glorious track it is. Myself and Sir Fleming have been suckin the wonders out its melodies for the past month or more. Might this track you mention be the basis for it?? We'll soon find out, says he, en route to youtube...
6 - Mary K. Williams
Thanks Duke:
"There She Goes" is the track that reminded me the most, even tho if you compare song to song, the tempos are different, and of course, the lyrics and general meaning are very different. But still, it has a kind of sneaky, fun feel to it.