LIBERTINES REUNITE FOR ONE-OFF GIG Slow-news day on the blogosphere, but over the weekend it was all about UK garage-rock revivalists the Libertines reuniting with three of the original members (who really cares about John Hassell the bassist anyway?) at the London Rhythm Factory as a tribute gig to Johnny Sedassy, the late, great promoter who helped launched the band’s career back in the day. Babyshambles began the set with Pete Doherty in good spirits, blasting through classics like “Kilimanjaro” and “Albion” to the delight of fans. He was then joined on stage by Carl Barat and Gary Powell who proceeded to rip through a set of Libs essentials. The playlist apparently was:
“What A Waster” “Up The Bracket” “What Katy Did” “Can’t Stand Me Now” “Time For Heroes” “Death On The Stairs”
Carl and Gary then left the stage to allow Pete and the Babyshambles co. finish up with the likes of “Fuck Forever”. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but you can go here to check out some videos from the side of the stage, here for a great show breakdown by Jamie Fullerton, a reporter for NME (who was also a guest of ours at our Cannibal Cheerleader Blood Bath during SXSW), and check out a longer vid below.
NEW PETE DOHERTY ALBUM The new Pete Doherty album (excuse us, Peter Doherty) presents us with yet another different side to this poetic and troubled English troubador and former Libertine. His new album Grace/Wastelands, an admitted ‘odds and sods’ collection of songs the Babyshambles’ frontman has had drifting in his back collection for years, is a cathartic trek down a dark road, with minimal guitar lines (played by the inimitable Graham Coxon) playing over Doherty’s inspired lyrical wordplay to piercing effect that, while not immediately grasping, proves to grab the listener in a silent choke-hold and refuse to let go. With an endearing awkwardness like a drunken mope at the local bar (or a recovering junk addict maybe?), the songs spin in and out of each other, sometimes relying on tinkling piano lines with Doherty scat-singing over the refrains, and other times the singer’s crushing loneliness pierces through to the bone with ‘moment-of-clarity’ suddenness. All-in-all, an excellent addition to the Doherty catalogue, a surprisingly deep and thoughtful selection and a great release. Check it out! Peter Doherty – “Sheepskin Tearaway” Peter Doherty – “Salome” ******************************************************************** NEW ROLO TOMASSI VIDEO We’re still getting prepped for our SXSW 2009 Blood Bath, and if you’re not excited about headliner Rolo Tomassi making their first ever US debut, check out this video and be convinced immediately.
Quick update today, Pete Doherty of Babyshambles and Libertines fame (who apparently now prefers to be called Peter Doherty) is offering up some new tracks from his upcoming solo album Grace/Wastelands. Check them out below, check the link for a Pete Doherty video from NME, and stay tuned for more from this awesome artist!
Our favorite underground rapper, the infamous MF Doom has been silent as of late. No more my friends, as the masked maurader has just released a teaser track from his upcoming LP Born Like This due out this March. The track is called “Ballskin” and it’s a true return to form for the emcee, featuring machine gun lyrical delivery with his much imitated mush-mouthed innotation. The beats are sweet too, only problem is the track is so short (but oh so sweet!). Check it out for yourself below you backpackers.
MF Doom – “Ballskin” ******************************************************************** DETAILS ON DOHERTY SOLO RECORD
Just because he’s drugged out doesn’t mean he’s a deadweight, as the ex-Libertine and current BabyshamblerPete Doherty has just revealed his upcoming tracklist for his solo record. NME has all the details (including some killer videos) so be sure and rush over and check it out. Here’s a vid for one of our favorites, so far called “Salome”. Check out the rest when his album drops March 9th. Tracklist below:
01 Arcadie 02 Last of the English Roses 03 1939 Returning 04 A Little Death Around the Eyes 05 Salome 06 Through the Looking Glass 07 Sweet By and By 08 Palace of Bone 09 Sheepskin Tearaway 10 Broken Love Song 11 New Love Grows on Trees 12 Lady, Don’t Fall Backwards
Our favorite chain-smoking Babyshambles frontman is out of “Her Majesty’s pleasure” (the term used by his Myspace). According to this article Doherty served 29 days of a 14-week sentence that was handed down due to drug and driving offenses. Here’s to freedom Pete!
In other news Doherty has posted a new tune entitled “Maybelline” and here’s the YouTube video to prove it. Good to have the band back together.
******************************************************************** CAT POWER TO APPEAR ON NEW BECK ALBUM
According to this Pitchfork article, Cat Power will be on Beck’s newest LP which, like Radiohead, NIN, and the Raconteurs before it, might be showing up on on our doorstep much sooner than we had thought. No further details have been revealed but you can bet we’ll be all over this when the album drops within the next few weeks! ******************************************************************** CHARLOTTE SOMETIMES ALBUM HITS THE STREETS
Charlotte Sometimes‘ new album Waves and the Both of Us hit stores yesterday and, you heard it hear first, it’s rad. While I unabashedly have a weakness for female singers, Charlotte’s voice and arrangements are both fresh, unique, and cutely naive. Having first seen her live at the AP Magazine party at SXSW (scenester heaven!) I can see how she not only appeals to the Bamboozle crowd but stands to transcend into the mainstream. Different from other female songstresses featured on this site (Cat Power anyone?), CS is completely unique and her album stands as a testament to this. Definitely check out album standouts like “Losing Sleep” and “Toy Soldier”. Four out of five bloody pon-poms! Anyone else heard this album yet?
Slow-news day on the blogosphere, but over the weekend it was all about UK garage-rock revivalists the Libertines reuniting with three of the original members (who really cares about John Hassell the bassist anyway?) at the London Rhythm Factory as a tribute gig to Johnny Sedassy, the late, great promoter who helped launched the band’s career back in the day.
Babyshambles began the set with Pete Doherty in good spirits, blasting through classics like “Kilimanjaro” and “Albion” to the delight of fans. He was then joined on stage by Carl Barat and Gary Powell who proceeded to rip through a set of Libs essentials. The playlist apparently was:
