- Artist
- Babyshambles
- Label
- Island
- Release date
- 4th December 2006
- Genre
- Indie
Recently the subject of a "fly-on-the-wall" TV documentary, Pete Doherty's life has long been a source of entertainment for lazy tabloid hacks, society watchdogs and other unimaginative types. With all the coverage surrounding his various addictions and his love life it might be easy to forget the man is actually a musician.
True, there are probably many who might think he's a lot more than a mere writer and player of songs. For these people, like some latter-day English Kurt Cobain, Doherty encapsulates the precipice that music and fame and notoriety can produce, where any second now the privilege of talent and rough good looks will be gloriously washed away in a blur of fast living, poor judgment and boundless excess.
Many other people never get the chance to appreciate that Doherty is pretty good at his day job. Which is a darn shame, for The Blinding EP is quite simply wonderful. From the ska pumping I Wish, through to the wistful Love You But You're Green and the anthemic Sedative, which more than alludes to some circumstances Doherty has found himself in of late, this five song collection is a treat.
The lad's voice is stronger than it's been for a while, the playing sharper and the songs evince a positivity that belies the nonsense that Doherty's put himself - and no doubt those who love him – through recently.
Genius is too strong a word for Pete Doherty - although some will disagree, insisting that is exactly what he is - but there is no doubt he is hugely talented. It's a shame that his flaws are equal in measure.
