Babyshambles - 'Beg, Steal or Borrow'
So many column inches have been written on the drug habits, court cases and love life of everyone's favourite crack-whore, Pete Doherty that it is sometimes easy to forget that he is a brilliant lyricist and musician. This EP came as a relative surprise to all, we all thought that he was in semi-retirement, trying and failing in his battle with drugs, but the record and especially 'Beg, Steal or Borrow' are astounding in their quality and a timely reminder to us all that Doherty is, first and foremost, a great songwriter.
A live version of this song was released via the band's MySpace earlier in the year, and the recorded track has lost none of the live version's charm. That he may be talking about scoring crack or pursuing love is another issue completly, but the track retains Doherty's primary quality as a songwriter of finding hidden depth to at first vague and simple lyrics. Scratch under the surface and there's a lot to be taken from this song, and the EP in general. Musically, it is the standard Libertines/Babyshambles/Dirty Pretty Things fare sounding like a Clash tribute band, and this is no bad thing. This is is the band's first release on new label Parlophone, let's hope that there's more of this to come. There's life in the old dog yet.
Official Site | MySpace
The Fins - ‘False Promises’
Man meets woman. The relationship becomes heated, she starts giving false promises. Yeah, sure we've heard it all before but there's nothing wrong in returning to the most classic of all rock 'n roll themes, especially when it's done in such a rollocking loud manner.
This classic rock and roll tune, sounds like so many other bands songs, yet it still manages to retain an original edge. Somewhere deep inside, it feels as if you know this track even though you've probably never heard it before. This is probably the most familiar unknown track you'll ever hear in your life. This is quite simply joyous, guitar driven rock and roll and has mosh pit stamped all over it. Guitars clash and try to out solo each other in an amazing fashion while the drummer shys away from jazz-licks to pound his instrument, recalling ACDC, Velvet Revolver or any other rock band you wish to list. The chorus is catchy, infectious and simple.
This song won't win any awards for originality but you can bet your bottom dollar that you'll be nodding your head as you listen to this song. The band are constantly touring the London region and the UK, check their website/MySpace for more details.
Official Site | MySpace Site | Download
Silentree - ‘The Dreams Pusher’
Where can I start? Shall it be that ‘The Dreams Pusher’ should really be ‘The Dream Pusher’? Shall it be that if you call your band Silentree, Tree of Silence is a massively unoriginal thing to call your album? Or shall it be that dressing up like Type O Negative while ripping off Pantera and Machine Head is really really lame?
This is the worst promo I have ever been sent, and I’ve had some real shit. Happy New Year, Tree of fucking Silence.