Thursday, 5 June 2008

Review - The Charlatans - You Cross My Path

The Charlatans - You Cross My Path

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7 out of 10

In their nineteen-year existence, The Charlatans have established an ability to adapt and stay afloat with the ever changing music scene, converting new generations of fans along their way, and with their latest and tenth album, You Cross My Path, their legacy is set to continue. Opening belter, Oh! Vanity sets the scene or sheen rather, as a polished indie show tune that sees Tim Burgess vocals deliver reflections on past and present. Whereas, Bad Days builds from a stripped back bass-heavy affair into an anthem rife with gloomy melodies and bittersweet keys courtesy of, Tony Rogers. Though the glories of their baggy and Mad-chester days are long behind the Charlatans now, Missing Beats (Of A Generation) which is a nostalgic reminder of early classic, Then, The Misbegotten, and even Birds/Reprise (That hints at old neighbours, New Order), all signify that big beats and building anthems will never be banished among The Charlatans but remain under a new guise. This Is The End, is a sombre closing to the album, perhaps even a statement. While You Cross My Path may not entice any newcomers caught up among the young bands in the current indie-scene who will have undoubtedly been influenced by the Manchester' quintet, it will offer an insight into what these bands can hope to achieve in the future when age takes hold, if they are indeed around as long. Listen: www.myspace.com/thecharlatans

Tracklist:
1. Oh! Vanity 2. Bad Days 3. Mis-takes 4. The Misbegotten 5. A Day For Letting Go 6. You Cross My Path 7. Missing Beats (Of A Generation) 8. My Name Is Despair 9. Bird 10. This Is The End

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