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Grace/Wastelands
by
Grace/Wastelands Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 30 Ratings

  • Summary: The Babyshambles/Libertines lead singer releases his first solo album produced by Stephen Street.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 22
  3. Negative: 1 out of 22
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    On his first solo CD, Grace/Wastelands, he conjures an understated and fantastical vision of his homeland in which jazzy meditations on the 1930s bump up against haunted fairy-tale folk.
  2. The Guardian
    80
    There are tracks here that date back five years, before the tabloids turned up and Pete became Potty. That might account for the album's frankly astonishing surfeit of memorable tunes; it would certainly explain the lack of smirking references to heroin and crack and of the snivelling self-pity that makes junkies such reliably delightful company.
  3. Q Magazine
    80
    Grace/Wastelands isn't quite the defining statement of his genius that his cheerleaders always insisted was just around the corner, but it demolishes the charge that his talent has been fatally squandered. [Apr 2009, p.98]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Austin Chronicle
    78
    Solo debuts, beginning with 1970's McCartney, generally lay themselves bare. Grace/Wastelands does, with the same irresistible UK melodicism begun by the British Invasion's big bang.
  5. Drowned In Sound
    70
    Pete Doherty has made a solo album with Stephen Street producing, and the result is some pretty good music.
  6. Rolling Stone
    60
    Peter doesn't quite have a full batch of tunes here--the weird, World War II–themed '1939 Returning' is one of a few songs that could use an actual chorus--but for much of the album he manages to make his dysfunction sing.
  7. Prefix Magazine
    30
    It essentially exposes Doherty’s biggest weaknesses: his trite lyrics, his less than perfect voice, and his inability to sound interested in anything he’s doing not under the title "Libertines."

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. DB
    Apr 10, 2009
    10
    First and foremost, I must say this: before hearing this album I only knew of Pete via the tabloids, blogs, etc. The only image I had of Pete First and foremost, I must say this: before hearing this album I only knew of Pete via the tabloids, blogs, etc. The only image I had of Pete was as the severely drug-addicted ex-boyfriend of Kate Moss. How my view has changed. This album is work of art, poetry and melody that, to me, clearly establishes Pete as a massive talent to be reckoned with. Forget about the sex and drugs part for a minute because we know he's lived that image up quite well. It's the rock n' roll part that proves Pete Doherty is worth the hype. Pete is a troubled soul, but one that has immense talent simmering inside and waiting to explode. That is the feeling I get when I listen to this album. I don't hear someone who writes radio pop and sings with a perfect voice (although perfect nowadays just means "autotuned"). Instead, I hear a modern day bard who has been to hell and back and has some stories to tell. I no longer view Pete Doherty as the severely drug-addicted ex-boyfriend of Kate Moss. My new view: a severely troubled artist who I hope will get his head on straight.… Expand
  2. erinca
    Mar 27, 2009
    10
    His best work in a long time, could have been better without sweet by by.
  4. DylanC
    Mar 26, 2009
    10
    Another classic album from the best singer/songwriter of our generation.. Salome, A Little Death Around the Eyes and Sheepskin Tearaway are Another classic album from the best singer/songwriter of our generation.. Salome, A Little Death Around the Eyes and Sheepskin Tearaway are my faves but its hard to choose highlights from such a stong album.. Up the albion!… Expand
  5. jillt
    Apr 25, 2009
    10
    AS with all his music it grows and grows on you. An amazingly talented men.
  6. katyae
    Apr 12, 2009
    9
    He's sweet, melodic, romantic and uneasy. love pete, he's one of the coolest contemporary songwriters.
  7. Ricko
    Mar 14, 2012
    6
    It has the occasional very good tune on it but it also has some real rubbish as well. Doherty could have produced a really good EP out of theIt has the occasional very good tune on it but it also has some real rubbish as well. Doherty could have produced a really good EP out of the material but he's pushing it putting out an album.To be honest Stephen Street has made this album any bit decent by polishing up some of the poorer tracks. I wouldnt bother with the album but Last of The English Roses, I am the rain and Palace of Bone are worth checking out.… Expand
  8. JohnP.
    Apr 1, 2009
    6
    Probably the most disappointing of all the releases I've heard by Doherty. In 'Palace of Bone' Doherty sings in a mostly deep Probably the most disappointing of all the releases I've heard by Doherty. In 'Palace of Bone' Doherty sings in a mostly deep voice which I think suits him brilliantly but this is abandoned at the chorus and the rest of the album. 'I am the Rain' (except for the awful harmonising at the end which I find really grating), 'Sheepskin Tearaway' and the single are the highlights to me with 'Arcady' being pleasant enough but songs like 'Sweet by and by' are plain offensive to my ears. I used to like the acoustic demo of 'New love grows on trees' but it's had all the spark taken out of it in the ratyher boing version on display here. Again none of the other songs make me want to hit repeat. I listened to his demos back in '03 and they had far more charm (admittedly the ones I liked best were covers- 'Jean', Huckelberry Grove' but the others have lost their charm as he re-records them on his releases. Also it's pretty clear that at times his rudimentary guitar playing hinders some of the songs and his choruses are 'tacked on' So sorry for rambling: overall disappointed, only Place of Bone sticking in my head for the moment… Expand