Grace/Wastelands
Pete Doherty · 2009
40 min · 12 tracks · indie rock
A haunting blend of introspective lyrics and melodic instrumentation that captures both despair and beauty in equal measure.
Top tracks — play these first
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Last of the English Roses — This track stands out for its poignant storytelling, reflecting on themes of loss and nostalgia through vivid imagery, encapsulating the album's essence.
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1939 Returning — This song features a delicate balance between melancholy and hope, showcasing Doherty's knack for blending personal narrative with broader historical commentary.
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Broken Love Song — With its raw emotion and stripped-down arrangement, this track highlights Doherty's vulnerability, making it a compelling centerpiece of the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends introspective lyrics with melodic instrumentation, though it lacks consistent pacing across its tracks.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow, atmospheric track that sets a reflective tone, followed by a series of mid-tempo songs that maintain this introspective mood.
- Several tracks feature layered instrumentation, with strings and piano complementing Doherty's vocals, creating a rich soundscape.
- The lyrics often employ vivid imagery and personal narratives, with recurring themes of love and loss that invite deeper engagement from the listener.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for reflective moments
- melancholic melodies for introspection
- vulnerability in every lyric
- consistent flow for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, high-energy tracks
- want instant gratification from music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Grace/Wastelands is Pete Doherty's debut solo album, released after the disbandment of The Libertines and his tumultuous years of public scrutiny. At this point, Doherty was seeking to redefine himself musically while navigating personal struggles, making this album a pivotal moment in his career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Carl Barât· The Libertines· Babyshambles
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Arcady 2:52
- 2 Last of the English Roses 4:58
- 3 1939 Returning 3:09
- 4 A Little Death Around the Eyes 3:31
- 5 Salomè 3:13
- 6 I Am the Rain 3:13
- 7 The Sweet By + By 3:04
- 8 Palace of Bone 4:23
- 9 Sheepskin Tearaway 2:42
- 10 Broken Love Song 3:43
- 11 New Love Grows on Trees 3:37
- 12 Lady Don't Fall Backwards 2:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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