The Charlatans have reclaimed their DIY ethic and released their latest album as a free digital download. It's a far cry from the days of booze, E, and backstage encounters with Madonna.
The Charlatans throw a curve ball on their ninth record, which sees the former baggy heroes go reggae. Frontman Tim Burgess talks revealingly about the record’s difficult gestation.
For some reason every new Charlatans album seems to be regarded as a comeback, despite the fact that they’ve never really been away. In fact here is a band that has outlived baggy, Britpop (first and second version) and every other fad of the last 15 years. ‘Blackened Blue Eyes’ is a very Charlatans record but is none the worse for that, a groovy, Stonesy kind of thing that knows exactly who it is and how it’s getting home
It always appeared as though The Charlatans were very much of their time, a paean to the wayward Britpop hedonism of the early nineties, but their live show demonstrates that the songs are as culturally relevant now as they ever were.
The Charlatans will be gigging their way to the Ambassador for one night. Although originally scheduled for May, hotpress.com has learnt that the gig is currently being rescheduled and will bring you details as they emerge.
Video interview: Tim Burgess and Mark Collins of THE CHARLATANS tell us about their latest album, Wonderland, and about how having a singer that lives 5000 miles away in L.A. helps to focus the band's energies. Well, it would, wouldn't it
The Charlatans' kitchen-sink included arrangements which can be slightly overwhelming on record proving to be dynamite live, a surprisingly sonically coherent mass of big, bold, super-charged soul.
The Charlatans have finally made the sun-kissed Californian album they always threatened since Tim Burgess turned his back on Blighty for LA a few years back.
