Babyshambles - 'Delivery'

If you stop what you’re doing and listen, what you can hear is the smug, content sound of Babyshambles fans (the music ones) uttering the words “We told you so.” For months (or is it years?) they’ve been telling us that Pete Doherty still had it in him, that his Arcadian dream still had its promise. We wanted to believe them of course, we really did, but there’s only so many supermodel/drugs/alcohol/rehab/reunion stories one can take. Now though – as Babyshambles make their official return two years on from their dishevelled, Mick Jones produced debut, ‘Down In Albion’ – it seems the fans were right to maintain their vigil.

‘Delivery’ is an eye-opening moment. One that proves that underneath his trilby, Pete Doherty is still blessed with the ability to write an observational tale with all the wit and intelligence of an 18th century wordsmith. “Here comes a Delivery, straight from the heart of my misery/ Yes here comes a delivery, straight from my heart to you,” he proclaims in the song’s chorus, while guitar riffs jangle and punch with glorious intention (thanks must go to Smiths producer Stephen Street for those). One can only assume that the boy Doherty sings passionately about in 'Delivery' is actually a camouflaged version of himself, of course – although the descriptive lines, “Now what use am I to anyone? Forlorn, frozen, beneath the sun / Don’t sing along or you’ll get what I’ve got,” are an all to suggestive clue. Is it a subliminal apology and a promise to wake up after all these years of wasted talent? Well, if ‘Delivery’ is a sign of things to come, let’s hope so.

Released on 17/09/07 via Parlophone Records.