Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 22
  2. Negative: 2 out of 22
  1. Much like its maker, the album stumbles from peak to trough, testing the listener's patience while retaining its eccentric charm.
  2. Many of The Libertines' finer qualities are made all too apparent in their absence on "Down In Albion", none quite so painfully as Carl Barat's Django Reinhardt via Johnny Marr charm with a guitar.
  3. Rolling Stone
    60
    A beguiling, infuriating mess. [26 Jan 2006, p.55]
  4. A frustratingly half-assed album, full of great ideas executed in the poorest way possible.
  5. Blender
    50
    Even the strongest songs... are hobbled by sickly vocals and Mick Jones's pallid, needle-thin production. [Mar 2006, p.109]
  6. Even within the album's murkiness, however, hints of the promise and intermittent brilliance Doherty had in the Libertines can still be heard.
  7. Billboard
    50
    An erratic mix of messy ambition and indifferent sloppiness that sounds like it's falling apart even before it really has a chance to get it together. [11 Feb 2006]
  8. Mostly, this record is yet another reason to wish that people with real talent would stop throwing it away.
  9. It sounds like The Zutons trying to record one of their more out-there b-sides having just lost the ability to play music.
  10. There's too much that should have never seen the light of day, that is little more than a band riffing on ideas in the studio without ever taking them anywhere near consummation. But Down In Albion just about remains afloat because there are moments on it when Babyshambles make us care.
  11. Uncut
    40
    A self-indulgent but sporadically compelling mess. [Jan 2006, p.102]
  12. Q Magazine
    40
    There is something dispiriting about trawling through so many songs which show glimpses of lucidity, even brilliance, but always seem to either nod off or descend into chaos by the end. [Jan 2006, p.120]
  13. Mojo
    40
    A frustrating listen. [Jan 2006, p.119]
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 107 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 75 out of 107
  2. Negative: 18 out of 107
  1. 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.
  2. 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 itThis 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. Full Review »
  3. 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 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. Full Review »