The recent MTV documentary 24 Hours With Pete Doherty profiled a man who was charming, certainly, but one so vague that he had forgotten the existence of an entire wing of his house. He was not one you could bank on to make you a cup of tea, much less a successful major-label album - but as his soon to come Grace/Wastelands album testifies, this man is still full of surprises. That's not to say the album is short on Doherty shambling. Though helmed by Stephen Street, and featuring some nice playing from Blur's Graham Coxon, throughout the mood is wistful, nostalgic and intimate. Some want him clean and polished; others want him to be as dissolute as ever. Here, finally, he may have found a happy compromise.
Rock preview: Peter Doherty, on tour
John Robinson
Guildhall, Southampton, Sun 15; University Of East Anglia, Norwich, Mon 16; Engine Shed, Lincoln, Tue 17; Rock City, Nottingham, Wed 18; Dome, Brighton, Thu 19; Lea Cliff Hall, Folkestone, Fri 20
Contributor
John Robinson
John Robinson
The GuardianTramp
