i bought this album as i have done there complete back catalogue and although i was expecting alot after there first single blackened blue eyes i was feeling a little robbed. after a few listens it has a few good tracks and i am pleased tim and the band are still open to experimentation but it just dosn,t compare to UP AT THE LAKE for me but go out and buy it and decide for yourself and support one of the finest bands out there for in my opinion.
I made the mistake of reading the reviews or this album, rather than just buying it, which is what I've done with all the Charlatan's previous releases. It's fair to say that as a band they have always attracted 'mixed reviews', but this album seems to have received a particular mauling! It was heavilly criticised for having a reggae feel to some of the tracks, which I think is incorrect. Ska would be a lot more accurate, a few songs have something of The Specials, Madness, etc. about them, but still sound like the Charlatans, unlike lesser bands such as the Ordinary Boys and to a lesser degree Hard-Fi, who just sound like these bands! The album probaly opens with one of the best tracks and lead single, Blackened Blue Eyes and moves on through songs, some of which are reminiscent of the last few albums, Up At The Lake and Wonderland in particular and some in the new style, as described above. Highlights for me include For Your Entertainment, Muddy Ground, The Architect and the instrumental album closer Sunset And Vine, but the whole album flows well, which demands repeated listening and the 45 mins are up fairly quickly, it feels. Overall then, another fresh, consistent album from one of the best bands, if not the most uner-rated, of the 90's and onwards.Read full review
This was a present for my other half who is a big fan. It was cheaper on ebay than in the shops, even with the postage, so I snapped it up. I found it quite different to their last 2 albums, slightly moody (ska like) but good all the same. I think its important that bands try to develop different album styles otherwise all the music sounds the same, especially for a band like the Charlatans who have been going for some time. My husband is the true fan and he really liked it and has played it a lot since I bought it for him, so well chosen I think.
Excellent Album By One Of The Best Bands Of The Last 15 Years Certainly One Of My Favourite Bands And I Have All Their Official Single And Album Releases To Date
Not a bad track on there as usual. While their peers prance about in skintight jeans all sounding the same The mighty Charlatans manage to sound as experimental and diverse as ever... taking cue form early 80's ska this time.... best album of teh last 5 years. They are back on track !
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