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at a glance...
Hometown: The Black Country, Northern England
Formed: 1989
Personnel:
Tim Burgess -vocals, harmonica
Mark Collins -guitars
Jon Brookes -drums
Martin Blunt -bass
Tony Rodgers -keyboards
Related Bands:
St. Etienne, The Chemical Brothers, Primal Scream
Notes:
The Charlatans' bio has always threatened to overshadow their music.
This is a shame, since the group has been a rare lasting treasure,
putting out six quality albums in the '90s and getting better with
virtually every release. They appeared in the late '80s, early singles
"Indian Rope" and "The Only One I Know" nailing the band's mast firmly
to the Madchester groove. Debut LP Some Friendly reached No. 1 in
Britain in 1990. Yet as the baggy-trousered movement washed away, it
threatened to take The Charlatans with them. Bassist Martin Blunt
suffered a nervous breakdown while recording the dance-rock followup,
Between 10th and 11th. Despite the revitalizing presence of new
guitarist Mark Collins, who replaced the departed John Baker, the album
made only minor ripples. During the recording of 1994's Up to Our Hips,
keyboardist Rob Collins was jailed as an accessory to armed robbery, a
charge he at first denied but later admitted to. The album barely
preserved The Charlatans hold in the British indie consciousness,
featuring a few excellent singles but a general sense of
directionlessness. Fourth LP The Charlatans (1995) changed all that,
embracing Stonesy rock and a dance groove and taking them back to the
top of the charts. While recording fifth album Tellin' Stories, Rob
Collins died in a car accident in 1997. The band finished the album
(most of Collins' parts had already been recorded) and it too topped the
British charts; The Charlatans were now being hailed as rock's ultimate
survivors. The aptly titled Us & Us Only appeared in late 1999,
showcasing a deep, powerful sound and some of the band's best songs. Shortly afterwards singer Tim Burgess unexpectedly relocated to LA, but the band carried on and returned in 2001 with the the funky, Danny Saber-produced gem Wonderland. Personal misfortune struck once again when new keyboardist and rejuvenation catalyst Tony Rodgers was diagnosed with testicular cancer; nonetheless, Rodgers' remained optimistic about recovery and was able to carry on with only a few live dates cancelled.
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The Charlatans
Wonderland
MCA, Released 2001
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Pop music, it's long been held, can hit you in three places: the head, the heart and the feet. Successful music nails one of these cold. Really exceptional tunes attack on two fronts, but only the rarest of genius holds sway over all three. Sly Stone, The Clash, De La Soul, The Stone Roses. Music you can dance to, fall in love to, get lost to.
It's an under-recognized fact that The Charlatans have been threatening to join this company, ever since the triumph-over-tragedy masterstroke of 1997's Tellin' Stories. The elements have always been there -- the funky rhythms, the heart on the sleeve, the deep understanding of rock history. But -- as they occasionally admitted -- their exceptional albums never put it all together on the level their heroes had. Their very own Screamadelica, their key to the pantheon, had eluded them.
Well, don't look now, but 12 years on The Charlatans have sauntered into the pantheon and are drinking all the punch. Wonderland is a modern pop classic that combines all the best things about this band, spikes the mix with ace tunes, and keeps the concoction coming. It's smart, warm, and funkier than even the funkiest moments of their baggy-trousered days, and thanks to producer Danny Saber it sounds absolutely contemporary without losing the classicist touch the band developed in the late-'90s.
Best of all, there isn't a single let-down, not one "My Beautiful Friend" or "Get On It In It" or any of the tracks that made "skip" an option on previous Charlatans albums. Press stop and walk away at any point and you'll have the last song you heard in your head all day. Play through to the end and you'll start all over again.
There's big ambition here, too. If I'm not mistaken, "If I Fall" is the sound of Tim Burgess wanting to crack it in his new American home. It could be their "Wonderwall," but it's not even close to being the album's best track. That's a difficult honor to bestow -- right now I'm leaning toward the three-part soul shot of "Wake Up," but the funktastic falsetto footrace of "Judas" is still in with a chance. You'll probably have a different favorite. Isn't life great?
That's the question The Charlatans have always left me asking myself.
It's remarkable that a band that has suffered so much misfortune can bring the good vibes like nobody else. They've finally made it where they always wanted to go. They deserve it.
If you like The Charlatans, check out:
The Charlatans The Charlatans
Black Grape It's Great When You're Straight
The Stone Roses The Stone Roses
Curtis Mayfield Curtis
-- Jesse Fahnestock
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