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. 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. 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
  3. DavidA
    Feb 10, 2006
    6
    this is more Pete Doherty's band than the Libertines. Which is not a good thing necessarily
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. JonW
    Nov 28, 2005
    5
    drug addict music made by drug addicts
  7. romanmc
    Jan 19, 2006
    4
    Come quick! It's your baby! And it's in shambles! Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!
  8. JohnP
    Feb 14, 2006
    6
    Same old problems as the Libertines previous albums but more so- the rubbish spoils the good stuff on there. The guitar can really grate and there's a lack of depth to the sound but what do you expect, clearly can't be bothered to make it sound half decent. Listen to Kilamgiro single and compare to album- why? Why wasn't Paul Epworth producer? But, Loyalty Song, Pipe Down, Same old problems as the Libertines previous albums but more so- the rubbish spoils the good stuff on there. The guitar can really grate and there's a lack of depth to the sound but what do you expect, clearly can't be bothered to make it sound half decent. Listen to Kilamgiro single and compare to album- why? Why wasn't Paul Epworth producer? But, Loyalty Song, Pipe Down, Au rebours holy trinity but the resy have flaws, far too many to list. This could and should have been so much better...… Expand
  9. 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

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]
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