Peter Problem?

I understand that Peter Doherty is someone who generates mixed emotions amongst the public. Yet, after reading the latest issue of a leading music magazine, I found myself become extremely defensive… Perhaps too much so. I found the article in the magazine to be - if nothing else - harsh. To say that Peter Doherty is a man who upon entering a hotel foyer brings with him a "whiff of danger" and causes a "sense of concern" is rather cruel.

The journalist states that "We are here ostensibly to talk about Doherty's new album, but his past inevitably looms large." However, it becomes very apparent to me that digging up Peter's past was this persons’ intentions from the very start - his music can come in second. (Perhaps slipping in that one song on the new album mentions heroin - great evaluation). Clearly this journalist pre-conceived exactly what he was to write long before meeting Peter Doherty for the interview. The article contained sparse information on Doherty’s musical history and instead focused on events such as Doherty's drug problems and his relationship with supermodel Kate Moss - very tabloid gossip column, I must say.

In a recent radio/TV interview with a different leading music press, Peter described his feelings on the negative comments he receives saying that, “no matter how corrupted your mind can become by fame, you can’t help but still retain that basic vanity of a human being who’s going to be personally offended by someone saying something about them or their behaviour or their appearance. You’re just human really.” Granted, everyone is familiar with Peter Doherty because of all the negative media attention he has received, but if you listen to - and I mean really listen to - Grace/Wastelands, then you'll discover the true beauty of it and realise that actually, Mr Doherty is a fantastic musician. Weather you’ve liked his previous work or not, it’s worth the listen. Grace/Wastelands is poetic and melodic, enticing and addictive. Each song has it's own appeal, for example, “Lady Don't Fall Backwards” is and will be proven to be a huge song. The lyric "Lady don't you fall backwards, c'mon and fall into my arms" is enough to make any girl jealous of who that line is directed to.

Peter Doherty may be recognised as a rocker, but for his solo debut he’s went back to his original ways with song writing - big, yet graceful ballads, and swing-style toe tappers. You can dance your cares away, get lost in the world he’s created through his words or fall into a deep slumber as a soft guitar plays. Not many albums have such a range as this one does and whatever Mr Doherty has been involved with in his past is irrelevant.