Peter Perrett - How The West Was Won
Peter Perrett is something of a legend, living a life that makes Pete Doherty look (almost) like an angel, having been both a drug dealer and long term user. According to Nina Antonia’s biography, Homme Fatale, he can be a narcissistic arsehole of the highest order. Despite that, he has written some amazing songs and The Only Ones have been one of my musical touchstones for most of my life.
Over 25 years since the release of Perrett’s last studio work, with The Only Ones’ two year reunion ending eight years ago and dire tales of lungs destroyed by decades of drug use, I had given up all hope of ever hearing any new music from Perrett but here it is.
With lyrical references to Kim Kardashian’s bum, Perrett has lost none of his vitriolic wit but a love song to Xena, his wife of 47 years, neither has he lost his sense of romance. The melodic sensibilities that shone through The Only Ones’ best songs are still place. With Perrett’s nasally whine fronting a band featuring his sons Jamie and Peter, the music is indie-tinged powerpop that may not be quite as thrilling as The Only Ones at their best but this is an utterly triumphant return nonetheless.
9/10
