REVIEW: Charlatans U.K., Melting Pot (Beggars Banquet)
- Bob Gajarsky
It was 1990 when I first heard the Charlatans (UK). A tape exchange with a British friend netted me a plethora of songs which I had never heard before, and one which was just barely starting to get played on hip American radio stations, "The Only One I Know". Mixing the wah-wah sound with a Hammond organ, the Charlatans immediately took hold of my heart - and for some reason, I instantly felt that this band wouldn't be another one of the UK 'Bands of the Week'.
When the debut album Some Friendly was released, I had to race out and purchase a copy. The organ so prominently featured on "One" became the band's trademark, distinguishing them from the Stone Roses, who were stealing the charts and magazine covers in their native land. And when their first U.S. show was held in New York at a now-defunct club (located between 10th and 11th avenues, and leading to the title of their second album), I, along with a few hundred other souls, was there.
Moving and swaying to the music, from the never-ending "Flower" to the great introduction song, "You're Not Very Well", the Charlatans had the audience in the palm of their hands. And even if UK wags couldn't hear the difference in their songs. coyly calling them "The Only Song I Know" (well, they *were* right with the second single, "Then"), it seemed like the Charlatans were destined for bigger and better things.
Yet, it didn't happen. While the Stone Roses were on their self-imposed exile, spending Geffen's millions and eventually releasing a sub-par second album before imploding, and the Happy Mondays were fretting about the loss of Bez, the Charlatans were outshining their compatriots. Tracks such as "Weirdo" and "Can't Get Out Of Bed" were instant favorites on the then-burgeoning Modern Rock radio stations,
While critics slowly started chiseling away at the band, wondering if the band was stuck in the past, lead singer Tim Burgess looked towards the future. Collaborations with the now-cutting edge dance bands and remixers such as the Chemical Brothers ensured that the Charlatans music was welcomed by a new generation of club goers.
Maybe it was because Ecstasy wasn't as commonly available in the States as the UK, or because the raves here only consisted of techno music (as opposed to the Floydian styles of the UK trilogy), but the Charlatans never quite caught on in the States. Being lumped in with the Roses and Mondays didn't help; tbe Charlatans didn't cancel tours or delay albums with the frequency of Msrs. Brown and Ryder. Any problems, such as the arrest (and eventual death) of Rob Collins, were always dealt with in a professional manner, with the music coming first, rather than as an afterthought. The focus of the Charlatans never changed during the years, and as a result, we (the listeners) get to appreciate a band's growth and maturation without seeing signs of their decline.
Melting Pot isn't the normal greatest hits collection; B-sides are included (such as the instrumental "Theme From The Wish") and several big UK hits ("How High", "North Country Boy") are excluded. But for those who missed out on the Charlatans the first time around - or, heaven forbid, don't own any of their albums - here's the time to catch up with the past. Absolutely essential. TRACK LISTING: The Only One I Know, Then, Opportunity Three, Over Rising, Sproston Green, Weirdo, Theme From The Wish, Patrol (Chemical Brothers Mix), Can't Get Out Of Bed, I Never Want An Easy Life If Me & He Were Ever To Get There, Jesus Hairdo, Crashin' In, Just Lookin', Here Comes A Soul Saver, Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over, One To Another, North Country Boy
