Down In Albion
by Babyshambles
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. NOW Magazine
    80
    A shockingly good batch of rock, pop and punk tunes.
  2. PopMatters
    80
    OK, but is it as good as Up The Bracket? Naw, but it's better than last year's The Libertines.
  3. The New York Times
    80
    It's a messy, sometimes insane CD... [but it's] mysterious and subtly seductive. [8 Dec 2005]
  5. Pitchfork
    77
    In parts, Albion's shambolism is stunning, but that's no excuse for moments of total sloppiness.
  6. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    There's a 10 out of 10 album that's been thrown away here; as it is, it's the best demo you'll hear all year. [12 Nov 2005, p.41]
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  7. Stylus Magazine
    67
    It is a measure of Albion’s strengths that it can make itself heard above the crumpy distortion and shrill feedback generated by its author.
  8. Spin
    67
    Producer Mick Jones does his best to juice up these almost-songs. [Jan 2006, p.91]
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Awards & Rankings

32
#32 Most Discussed Album of 2006

User Reviews

All reviews »
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
  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. 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 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 »
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