Babyshambles The Blinding EP Released: 04/12/06 www.babyshambles.net www.myspace.com/babyshamblesofficial

Who would have thought… the Babyshambles being looked at for their music, rather than what is going on with Kate Moss, their lead singer’s drug addiction or British courts.

It is hard to believe that no new music has appeared from Pete Doherty since 2005’s underwhelming Down in Albion, particularly given the fact that he has remained constantly in the public eye.

So it is with much interest that attention turns to The Blinding EP, five tracks attempting to remind us of Doherty’s talent.

Opening with the title track, you are pleasantly surprised by the freshness of the sound. The wailing guitars and edgy melody attest to that. It is a risky track, perhaps the reason it has been released as an EP. The Blinding seems strangely inaccessible at first – but then the song structure clicks and the gamble pays off. There seems to be a new musical level reached here, maybe a sign of experience?

The next three tracks doff their cap to some ska/reggae influences. Nothing offensive, but nothing exceptional either – and the release is hanging in the balance.

Then ‘Sedative’ hits you. Damn it’s good. Doherty uses the soft, loud method to glorious effect. The track saunters along with hushed guitars, until the full band join in for the rousing chorus, “What's it really like now? It's been a long, long time since I've stepped outside…”

This is one of Doherty’s best songs to date and surely an anthem for any future Babyshamble’s concert.

All in all, a promising sign of things to come.