Down In Albion
by Babyshambles
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 107 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 107
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 107
  3. Negative: 18 out of 107

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  1. Ricko
    Oct 21, 2011
    6
    This is such an inconsistent record. Coming off the back of the Libertines success, this is ultimately a disappointment. Half the songs on it are good and had the potential to be excellent. Quarter of the songs are ok and the other quarter are absolute tripe. The ramshackle sound and feel of the record is obviously down to Doherty and the Band being off their faces while it was being made,This is such an inconsistent record. Coming off the back of the Libertines success, this is ultimately a disappointment. Half the songs on it are good and had the potential to be excellent. Quarter of the songs are ok and the other quarter are absolute tripe. The ramshackle sound and feel of the record is obviously down to Doherty and the Band being off their faces while it was being made, however Mick Jones needs to take a lot of the blame. His production on Up the Bracket and The Libertines was excellent and taylor made for the band. However on Down in Albion, there is no quality control and he left Doherty get away with making a half assed attempt at a record. Some good idea's were left half developed and it sounds like he just gave up half through. That said, **** Forever, Kilamangiro, Loyalty Song and a few others very enjoyable tracks. This record pointed out Doherty's dependance on Carl Barat as a collaborator.… Expand
  2. KieranS
    Jan 21, 2010
    9
    How this album got so many bad reviews is beyond me. Apart from Pentonville and possibly La Belle et las Bete, every track on this album is brilliant. It stands to wonder why NME gave it 7/10 on first review, but then put it in there top 100 albums of the decade list; I guess, like so many other reviewers, they listened to it once and then reviewed it on face value.
  3. ChrisS
    Feb 7, 2009
    9
    This album is so much better than Shotter's Nation. And yet, it achieves fourteen points fewer than the follow-up album, whose only saving grace is the lost art of murder. Yes, during the first few listens, it sounds awful. But, as with all great albums, you can't just listen once through and make a judgement. It seems, though, that the critics' expectations of this album This album is so much better than Shotter's Nation. And yet, it achieves fourteen points fewer than the follow-up album, whose only saving grace is the lost art of murder. Yes, during the first few listens, it sounds awful. But, as with all great albums, you can't just listen once through and make a judgement. It seems, though, that the critics' expectations of this album were so low that they heard it once and wrote quick, rushed, and, to be honest, entirely unhelpful reviews; it makes you wonder why people are payed so much to write such rubbish. After the first few listens, the negative sides of the raw sound disappear, leaving only the lyrical brilliance and the pure music - the latter is not brilliant, and definitely not genius, but very good. It's very hard to find any other relatively mainstream (and yes, Babyshambles are mainstream, by the proper definition) albums of the past decade that are on this level, and, in a few years, when popular opinion, and therefore critical opinion, is no longer so much against Doherty, then this album will receive the recognition it deserves.… Expand
  4. MikeC
    Jun 8, 2008
    9
    While yea its messy, if you can get past that, you'll realize its a great album.
  5. Dabbadoo
    Dec 2, 2007
    10
    F.ck forever is a great song, but some moments the cd gets tired, but still a great cd that every person should listen to a few times so it will grow on them
  6. Jeffbaker
    Dec 2, 2007
    10
    I am from the U.S. So if not a Doherty fan would not be aware of his tabloid exploits. I love this album in all its gritty uncomprimicing glory. I believe too many criticts based their review on their personal opinion of pete's behavior. Makes me wish I were British.
  7. PaulR.
    Oct 12, 2007
    5
    Too long. Only a few good songs. Get the Dirty Pretty Things album instead Carl was the better half of the Libertines
  8. PalfsC.
    Sep 11, 2007
    9
    Quality to be honest. Messy and lazy and brilliant.
  9. Athena
    Jun 14, 2007
    2
    Incredibly messy. Aweful to listen to- a complete waste of money
  10. nevermind
    Feb 22, 2007
    10
    amazing
  11. JamesC
    Feb 1, 2007
    6
    Flashes of genius, but definitely lacking any kind of structure. Nonetheless, the good songs far out weigh the many duds on this album.
  12. dylanc
    Nov 6, 2006
    10
    Raw, uncompomising... Genius has never sounded so good!
  13. smealmonkey
    Aug 30, 2006
    10
    This album is almost as good as up the bracket and is better than The libertines second album and is a perfect mix of music
  14. nevermind
    Aug 8, 2006
    10
    amazing
  15. tslice
    Jul 28, 2006
    10
    the reason this album is so good is that it sounds like im in the studio while it's being recorded and that is a grand feeling, in my opinion. not to mention pete doherty's beautiful words. i'm ready for more.
  16. LukeBD
    Jul 13, 2006
    2
    The worst album i own. It is a mess of ok material, performed badly by a over drugged, over paid lead singer!
  17. JoeD
    Jul 6, 2006
    10
    One of the best albums of the year for sure. but its not for those panic at the disco-loving ladies. Its for people who know good music.
  18. kateg
    Jun 5, 2006
    10
    the best album ever. Pete, you're amazing!
  19. fredriks
    May 31, 2006
    10
    classic
  20. CharlieBoy
    Apr 25, 2006
    8
    It seems quite clear that the production values are not the highest priority for the band here. So clear, that it needs a good deal of stupidity and naiveity to bring it to light as a criticism. Things should be criticised in context. It seems that this record is mainly takeb out of context by people who would prefer everything to be crystal clearand have sparkling production values. A It seems quite clear that the production values are not the highest priority for the band here. So clear, that it needs a good deal of stupidity and naiveity to bring it to light as a criticism. Things should be criticised in context. It seems that this record is mainly takeb out of context by people who would prefer everything to be crystal clearand have sparkling production values. A note to the usually none tech savvie critics: Nowadays it is usually harder to make something that sounds sloppy but actually works than it is to create something perfect. So hats of to Babyshambles for A) having balls in a world where they are mostly missing. B) creating a truthful record that is the perfect testiment to the world we live in, and the problems and tribulations people have to go through. C) Getting up each day and carrying on in a world dominated by the media and increasingly homogenised and lacking in originality.… Expand
  21. MrSkint
    Apr 14, 2006
    10
    This album is amazing, the production may be sub par, but its the sound of a real rock n roll band. Raw, honest and intense, a quite refreshing break from all the other usual phony tripe. Its a shame that the reviewers have been influenced so much by the media, when hes dead, he will be looked upon as an idol.
  22. KM
    Apr 10, 2006
    8
    It is a perfect reflection of the man: confusion, a lack of focus and structure, some of what is here has no place, and yet there is an undeniable brilliance underlying the album. Pipedown fires me up like nothing I've heard since Debaser (Pixies), and that is a huge compliment.
  23. Carrilon
    Apr 8, 2006
    1
    How awful is that? It sounds like a friday night karaoke party with a bunch of drunks. I cry after each penny I spent for this album!
  24. db
    Mar 31, 2006
    1
    Utter rubbish. Wouldn't subject my goldfish to this.
  25. SammyH
    Mar 29, 2006
    9
    So the production was sloppy at best, and there were songs that never should have seen the light of day - but nobody can deny that there are great moments on this album. The opener is beautiful, if a little long. Fuck Forever, Killamangiro, Loyalty Song, Pipedown, are all fantastic songs. 32nd of December is also a worthy effort. I think this album just needs to be re-recorded with our So the production was sloppy at best, and there were songs that never should have seen the light of day - but nobody can deny that there are great moments on this album. The opener is beautiful, if a little long. Fuck Forever, Killamangiro, Loyalty Song, Pipedown, are all fantastic songs. 32nd of December is also a worthy effort. I think this album just needs to be re-recorded with our dear Petey D a touch less wasted.… Expand
  26. MeyaC.
    Mar 24, 2006
    3
    i loved the libertines. i only liked three songs on this album, and even they are kinda bad. it's just sloppy and you can tell that he was totally wasted while recording some of it. he and carl were good for each other. i don't really think that either of them can really live up to the libertines, but carl's effort is sure to be better than this. if you think about it, i loved the libertines. i only liked three songs on this album, and even they are kinda bad. it's just sloppy and you can tell that he was totally wasted while recording some of it. he and carl were good for each other. i don't really think that either of them can really live up to the libertines, but carl's effort is sure to be better than this. if you think about it, anything can.… Expand
  27. BenW
    Mar 22, 2006
    6
    What happened to it? It sounds like the music of a man who can write a decent song, but's totally clueless when it comes to the switchboard. Fuck Forever is a classic but then again it sounds like Doherty was singing it while cooking rather than next to a microphone. Even though Pat Walden seems creative like Doherty, the band arent too great, the CD documents one of the worst What happened to it? It sounds like the music of a man who can write a decent song, but's totally clueless when it comes to the switchboard. Fuck Forever is a classic but then again it sounds like Doherty was singing it while cooking rather than next to a microphone. Even though Pat Walden seems creative like Doherty, the band arent too great, the CD documents one of the worst elements of a band like Zeppelin, or more accurately Oasis. Which is SELF INDULGENCE!!… Expand
  28. TeenageSodomy
    Mar 20, 2006
    7
    Oh Pete, why take the piss like this? I'm a fan and loved "Up the Bracket" and really wanted to like this one. It's starts out confusing, the 1st song goes on a bit too long and even when you're used to it, its not that good, barely a hook at all. Then comes the brilliance. "Fuck Forever", "Au Rebours" are fantastic, so is "Pipe Down". "Killamgiro" is great as well, though Oh Pete, why take the piss like this? I'm a fan and loved "Up the Bracket" and really wanted to like this one. It's starts out confusing, the 1st song goes on a bit too long and even when you're used to it, its not that good, barely a hook at all. Then comes the brilliance. "Fuck Forever", "Au Rebours" are fantastic, so is "Pipe Down". "Killamgiro" is great as well, though the single is infinitely catchier and I wished they went more in that direction than what's on offer here. Some of these tunes could have been pop song classic, but the loose, open production and the sloppiness really robs the songs of their worth. Oh Pete, we know you're a user and maybe a waster, you didn't have to prove it to us. I mean, who really wants to listen to junkie-style music. The songs are there, just play them like you were sober or with energy. Some tunes are pure rubbish, "Pentonville" being the obvious one (it's horrid, seriously a one take bad Jah rasta toasting with Pete barely audible in the back singing to acoustic guitar...i mean, people paid for this CD, you could have really given a shit). There are some others near the end which make the skin crawl, really sad, this record wasn't ready, obviously rushed or Pete just didnt care enough to work on them anymore. The great thing about the Libertines as many have said was the dualism between Pete and Carl. It worked, and the crap got canned (though the Libertines could have been better). WIth Babyshambles, Pete's the dictator and he's not good doing it alone. No wonder the guitarist left, must have been hell being in that bad. With it now being down to a trio and Pete back on guitar (which is a good thing) i dont really much of a point calling it a band, more like Pete solo. Though the group is over, this record was the nail in the coffin.… Expand
  29. B
    Mar 20, 2006
    9
    It didn't catch me at first, but then I found parts of songs going on in my head. It got better with each listen and now I LOVE it! It is a bit sloppy but it fits what they're about :) Pete Doherty is such a good lyricist and songwriter with the potential to do even better.
  30. PhilipS
    Mar 20, 2006
    6
    A mess, a true and an utter disappointment- oh sorry i am reviewing the album not Doherty.... average some reasonable songs, let down by sloppy production
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Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Most Discussed Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 22
  3. Negative: 2 out of 22
  1. E! Online
    50
    A frustratingly half-assed album, full of great ideas executed in the poorest way possible.
    Read full review
  2. Prefix Magazine
    40
    Mostly, this record is yet another reason to wish that people with real talent would stop throwing it away.
    Read full review
  3. Filter
    36
    This is a brutal disappointment. [#19, p.97]
See all critic reviews »