Sequel to the Prequel
by Babyshambles
User Score
6.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 2 out of 14
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  1. Ricko
    Jul 21, 2014
    7
    It had been so long since I'd even heard of Pete Doherty that I was quite surprised to see a new Babyshambles record released in 2013. I was even more surprised when I listened to it and found myself actually enjoying it. In his prime and working with Carl Barat in The Libertines, there was no denying the appeal and the talent of Doherty but at this stage that point in time seems like anIt had been so long since I'd even heard of Pete Doherty that I was quite surprised to see a new Babyshambles record released in 2013. I was even more surprised when I listened to it and found myself actually enjoying it. In his prime and working with Carl Barat in The Libertines, there was no denying the appeal and the talent of Doherty but at this stage that point in time seems like an age ago.
    Down in Albion had some great moments but is all over the place and is ultimately a painful enough listen. Shotter's Nation goes to the other extreme and while again containing some decent moments, it seems that all the rough edges that made Doherty so endearing were hidden by slick production. His solo album was completely forgettable and I assumed he would spend his days shooting up in Paris with Macaulay Culkin.
    He must have run out of money or something because he has managed to get himself enough together to write his most consistent album since his Libertine glory days. "Sequel to the Prequel" takes a huge range of styles and brings them all together to make a surprisingly coherent record. There is of course punk and indie rock on show but also plenty of country and folk with the occasional burst into reggae. It doesn't bring anything new to the party and Doherty and co beg steal and borrow riffs from everywhere including some of their own back catalog. However, the album has an undeniable energy and spark that had not been seen in years. Perhaps its because my expectations were so low that I really like the album. Perhaps its because its actually good. In any case, by making "Sequel to the Prequel", he seems to have earned himself a Libertines reunion and brought the possibility of new material with that band to life. That could be a disaster but it is still something I'd be excited to hear.    … Expand
  2. WadeVS
    Sep 6, 2013
    5
    Overall there is nothing incredibly wrong here, but nothing incredibly right either. If this is your first introduction to Babyshambles, it's bound to be a decent one. What they do, they do well. But like so many pop/rock/indie Brit bands who have gone before them (The Kooks, The Wombats, The Cribs), it seems Babyshambles seem destined to have had their day in the sun. The overall theme ofOverall there is nothing incredibly wrong here, but nothing incredibly right either. If this is your first introduction to Babyshambles, it's bound to be a decent one. What they do, they do well. But like so many pop/rock/indie Brit bands who have gone before them (The Kooks, The Wombats, The Cribs), it seems Babyshambles seem destined to have had their day in the sun. The overall theme of this album seems to do little to deny that. Yeah it's alright but Pete you're getting a bit long in the tooth there mate. Don't worry we can't all be Jagger.… Expand
  3. SuperstarVenom
    Sep 6, 2013
    8
    This is my first introduction to Babyshambles, I was listening to the current weeks new album releases on my phone, just flitting through to see what was good and what wasn't, this album came on and I was well impressed. Really enjoyable chirpy songs and good songwriting by Pete Doherty who I originally thought a complete plank. From this experience, I'm going back to their previousThis is my first introduction to Babyshambles, I was listening to the current weeks new album releases on my phone, just flitting through to see what was good and what wasn't, this album came on and I was well impressed. Really enjoyable chirpy songs and good songwriting by Pete Doherty who I originally thought a complete plank. From this experience, I'm going back to their previous albums.
    Good Album.    … Collapse
  4. MatthewColombia
    Sep 4, 2013
    9
    I'm enjoying this album a lot. I don't know why the critics seem to not like the Babyshambles music. It's got a lot of influences from British rock, from 60s, 70s, 80s indie, and even 90s indie/britpop sounds. Once more, Pete did it again. Welcome back! You should listen to the bonus tracks, they're great also (specially the Velvert Underground cover, which is amazing on Pete's voice).

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 17
  3. Negative: 2 out of 17
  1. Q Magazine
    Feb 4, 2014
    60
    A hit-and-miss affair that sporadically hints at what the man is capable of. [Oct 2013, p.111]
  2. Record Collector
    Oct 30, 2013
    80
    Sequel To The Prequel’s catchy riffs also induce a sense of familiarity, making it addictive from the off.
    Read full review
  3. Classic Rock Magazine
    Oct 23, 2013
    70
    Sequel lacks any major melodic cornerstone in the vein of Kilimanjaro or Down In Abion but it's also without the dreary, narcotic ska rambles that made previous Babyshambles efforts only half-listenable. [Oct 2013, p.90]
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