The Charlatans UK

The Charlatans UK are often tagged "survivors," which really suits them well. The group has never been a groundbreaking outfit, but it has consistently defied expectations to continue making albums with stylistic progressions throughout the '90s and beyond. The group was spawned by the Madchester scene of the late '80s, which brought indie rock and dance music together in the form of such Britpop progenitors as the Stone Roses and the Happy Mondays.

Yet, the Charlatans outgrew their peers, turning in such legacy-breaking albums as 1994's Up To Our Hips and 1995's The Charlatans UK, which documented their evolution into a Stonesy throwback rock band who still worshipped and incorporated the dance rhythms and textures they assimilated in their early years. They became more reliant on the syncopated organ riffs of keyboardist Rob Collins, and their interplay with Mark Collins' (no relation) spider-fingered guitar work provided for a furious symbiotic bed over which singer Tim Burgess could exercise his melodic sensibilities.

The group made its biggest strides with 1997's Tellin' Stories, while dealing with tragedy -- a drunk Rob Collins wrecked his car heading to the studio one night during the album's sessions and died instantly, throwing a shadow over the group's bubbly creative resurgence. But over time, Collins' death lended weight to the "survivors" label, as the group closed ranks and Tellin' Stories triumphantly debuted atop the U.K. charts.

By 1999, new keyboardist Tony Rogers had gotten stuck in, and the group went old-school rock for Us And Us Only. Burgess' Dylan influence rose to the forefront, as the group seemed to be settling into middle age with dignity and great songs. Yet another right turn led to 2001's Wonderland, an electronically structured cocaine-and-ecstasy-fuelled party album, that just lent more credence to the group's ability to keep on truckin'; cranking out hit singles and tightly packed albums until they can't no more.

Album reviews

Wonderland
MCA (2001)
Tim moved to L.A., Tony got comfortable, and as the sweeping organ chords and strummed acoustic guitars of Us And Us Only washed over us, it seemed as if the Charlatans were mellowing out a bit. Not disappearing, mind you.

Us And Us Only
MCA (1999)
Strange the way these things creep up on you, isn't it? You're in the record store, keeping on top of things. You've got the new Godspeed, You Black Emperor! EP, Air's Premiers Symptomes, and all the Belle and Sebastian singles.

The Charlatans UK
Beggars Banquet (1995)
As baggy shoegazers in the early part of their career, the Charlatans UK were known for their dreamy soundscapes and lush production. Though the group began to break this mold on its third album, Up To Our Hips, it wasn't until this breakthough self-titled set -- which hit No. 1 on the U.K. albums chart -- that the Charlatans' music acquired its now-trademark immediacy and really connected fully with its audience.

Up To Our Hips
Beggars' Banquet (1994)
Up To Our Hips is the Charlatans' third album, and it is the coolest, most cohesive musical statement to come out of the Madchester graduates' catalog.

Between 10th And 11th
Beggars Banquet (1992)
Don't let the Charlatans convince you Between 10th And 11th isn't worth your time. It's a solidly crafted album that showcases a precious, if embryonic, version of this great rock group.

Concert reviews

August 1, 2001
Bowery Ballroom, New York
Mmmm, rock and roll. On a Wednesday night in New York City, you can't beat it.