The Album Review Club - Christmas Break Until 8th January

[RobMCFC]

TELLIN’ STORIES



Tbh I wasn’t looking forward to this one as much as I normally do with Robs nominations.
Quick bit of trivia , I used to frequent The Black Swan pup in Lower Withington Cheshire, I remarked to the landlord at the time how good the music was that he played which was mostly Americana.He told me he managed a band, The Charlatans! It was Steve Harrison a local in these parts , hence the band was always referred to as being from Northwich, whereas as Bimbo states they were mostly from the Midlands.

Anways onto the album, I’ve not heard much by the band other than a few singles and Madchester music has never been my bag.
I’m not sure who influenced who but time wise it appears The Charlatans were formed first.
On a few tracks especially ‘With No Shoes’ and ‘How High’ I’m definitely getting LG nasal swagger in Tim Burgess’s delivery, on others IB and The Stone roses musically, also echoes of Kula Shaker.
There’s the obvious Dylan tribute on ‘Get it On’ which I enjoyed. I tended to prefer the more acoustic tracks as they seem more suited to TBs voice.I’ve been able to listen to this album a lot this past week, it’s ok but hasn’t made me a fan,but I can see why fans of Oasis and TSR would love this.


6/10

Thanks. Enjoy the Jason Isbell show tonight!

 

[RobMCFC]

I suppose the Charlatans next album (Us and Us Only) might be better suited to those who prefer a bit more of an Americana sound. And if the nasal voice of Tim B is doing your nut, try Wonderland, where he goes all falsetto and the band kind of change sound too.

After the brilliance of Tellin' Stories and Us and Us Only, I was very disappointed with Wonderland. I suppose it's music that has it's audience, and you can't knock them for trying something completely different, but it wasn't for me.

 

[ballbag]

After the brilliance of Tellin' Stories and Us and Us Only, I was very disappointed with Wonderland. I suppose it's music that has it's audience, and you can't knock them for trying something completely different, but it wasn't for me.

Yeah was a shock when I first heard Wonderland and it took a fair few listens to enjoy it. Not my favourite offering of theirs by any stretch. Couldn't listen to it all in one hit anyway. It divided a few fans from what I remember.

Personally, I've always enjoyed the earlier albums like Some Friendly, Up To Our Hips, and The Charlatans (eponymously titled one).

 

[threespires]

I suppose the Charlatans next album (Us and Us Only) might be better suited to those who prefer a bit more of an Americana sound. And if the nasal voice of Tim B is doing your nut, try Wonderland, where he goes all falsetto and the band kind of change sound too.

Lol, having said I've got not interest in visiting their back catalogue I've put Wonderland on and am really quite enjoying it! His falsetto isn't all that but it works quite well with the album as a whole and I quite like the looser vibe with bits of electronica.

 

[ballbag]

Lol, having said I've got not interest in visiting their back catalogue I've put Wonderland on and am really quite enjoying it! His falsetto isn't all that but it works quite well with the album as a whole and I quite like the looser vibe with bits of electronica.

Haha I stuck it on too! Just at The Bell and The Butterfly and feeling the urge to groove like a mo fo.

 

[Mancitydoogle]

Thanks. Enjoy the Jason Isbell show tonight!

Cheers

 

[RobMCFC]

….. with bits of electronica.

I now you see why I get the “knob-twiddler/not-proper-music” vibe from the album!

 

[journolud]

There's nothing new under the sun. Not really, not when. it comes to music. Given the number of years that a lot of the posters on this thread have put in, and I include myself in that. So, inevitably everything sounds a bit like something else. Whether it's influenced by, a shameless copy of or purely coincidental.

I suspect that there isn't much new that can be said about music either. Certainly my opening paragraph isn't original. There are some pretty creative talents on here though and I thought I used to give a fair crack myself at finding an angle.

Now though it boils down to do I like this week's offering. The Charlatans. As a matter of fact I do. @BlueHammer85 and @RobMCFC might have thought my earlier flippant remark was being dismissive of them and that other Manchester band. I wouldn't pay over the odds to see them now, Oasis that is, but I do think I scored Definitely, Maybe well enough when it came up for review and also enjoyed the Oasis tracks that came up courtesy of Apple Music after one of my listens to this.

So, the Charlatans reminded me in places of Oasis although I get that they came first. They also reminded me of what I think some sixties bands sound like, or was it just a bit of a sixties vibe. A bit Jaggerish with the vocals and Jagger is a singer I just don't rate. But maybe it's what the voice is surrounded with. Because limitations aside I could get on with Tim Burgess' vocals just fine.

And that organ sound. Very cool. Typically the more I listened to this album the more I enjoyed it, there's a bit of swagger. When I find something I like on this thread I listen to a bit more and I do suspect judging by some of the other random tracks I've heard that this isn't necessarily their best. But it's good enough. There isn't anything to quit challenge The One and Only but of the original 11 tracks there aren't really any bad ones. I listened to the expanded version once and found myself getting a wee bit bored there but the original is about right length wise.

With No Shoes isn't the strongest opener but it's followed by three strong tracks and while that level isn't quite kept up I wouldn't say it sags.

Where to score it? I was on a 7 but after todays last (before the review) listen it's edged up another half so 7.5.

Another band I should have listened to more considering their associations and if I had been more familiar with them I might have had something more original and interesting to say but for now, well it was a bit of a curveball from Rob and definitely his best pick on this thread.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

While I hear all that and can appreciate the music you note, I too am struggling to get past the vocals upon first listen. And it wasn't a continuous one either. I had to stop and take breaks and remember where I left off to get through that first listen. I don't struggle with Oasis and certainly not Doves, but I am currently with this band. And yes, that's probably why I hadn't heard much or had the desire to explore their songs further in the past as I'm sure it was a suggested "after album" listen or ''band' Radio"' Spotify mix suggestion.

The next two listens will be after tonight's Local Natives show, as I'm on full focus today. ;-)

Tellin' Stories - The Charlatans

This was another band I had not heard much of their music, much less than anything from this album before this week. A bit surprising even to me with the alternative rock, Britpop, and indie rock labels the band gets. The album gets a hip hop soul label, and I don't think that is far off either.

My impression of this vocally unfortunately didn't change much over repeated listens. I still struggled with songs like "North Country Boy", "How Can You Leave Us", and "How High" in the vocal delivery, but the music was better in those songs.

It should come as no surprise then that "Area 51" and "Rob's Theme" without lyrics were both highlights. Those, along with "Tellin' Stories", "One To Another", and "With No Shoes" were better received, and ones I welcomed hearing again on subsequent listens. All were musically enjoyable with the organ and piano really helping those songs along in places.

I'd be remiss if I didn't note the Dylanesque beginning to "Get On It" and the street song it positively reminded me of, down to the organ:

They've got a lotta nerve to think they can sneak that one in
When I was listening I swear I saw them grinnin'
They've got a lotta nerve to say "no matter how you're feelin'"
I think I know which Dylan song I'm hearin'

And yes, I did like how the song changed tempo and focus halfway through to a pure rocker that did end better with the piano, organ, and guitars carrying it home.

So overall, I felt musically, this is a 7.5, but vocally, I have it kindly as a 4.5, so it is a 6/10 overall with me.

I also don't think this album is better than the Mellencamp or Midnight Oil albums that Rob has nominated, which I would score much higher in being very familiar with both.

Musically, I can hear how Rob likes this album, but vocally, I will admit - I'm still a bit unsure. Perhaps I just need more time and background that a week just doesn't afford.

 

[bennyboy]

I believe it is my turn tomorrow.
I cannot remember if i post my clues,write up and pick myself or send them into Rob