The Album Review Club - Week #145 - (page 1923) - Tellin' Stories - The Charlatans

[Protein Junkie]

Bonsoir PJ, don't often see you in these parts! I'm sure you're right in terms of why most bands stay within a genre, maybe 'constrained' was the wrong word.

I suppose there's a few different categories of acts where genre is irrelevant. There's the big beasts like The Beatles, Zappa, Bowie and Prince who were simply capable of and wanted to do all manner of things. Then there's bands who seem to consciously genre hop either within or between records, like King Gizzard or Gomez. Then there's bands who are difficult to put into a genre full stop like the Budos band.

Greetings 3S.
Only tend to comment on albums I already know.
Thanks so much for the context which has helped clear my foggy brain :-).

 

[Coatigan]

I will admit that I go into almost all nominations with a pre-conceived notion about it. Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised and I will give all nominations a fair listen.

At least it is not some gritless-guitared generic whispy-voiced half-moany indie pish, right?

 

[Saddleworth2]

Being already familiar with Rattus Norvegicus but less so with the rest of the Strangler's catalogue beyond the hits I thought I'd take the opportunity to explore a bit more. And was truth be told disappointed. They have their moments on later albums but by the time I'd got to The Raven, fourth one in, I was thinking that there is actually less to them than meets the eye.

Still, I'm not being asked to do a career retrospective on them. When it comes to this album, I love it. Despite all the reservations, raised by others as well as myself about the aggressive and misogynistic nature of their output I still hold that on this album at least there was a sense of them not taking themselves too seriously. On later albums I think there was a darker edge to them.

Obvious stand out tracks are Grip, Hanging Around, Sometimes and Down in the Sewer but I think there is a cohesive sound throughout and it remains an album I will listen to time again. I give it an 8.

Incidentally when I mentioned to my wife that it was the Stanglers this week and we got talking she mentioned that she had No More Heroes when she were a lass. She claimed not to remember the more dubious tracks on that album and when I quoted the lyrics to her seemed more forgiving than I thought she would, mumbling something about those being different times. I can tell you she isn't that forgiving about Benny Hill!

PS! All the Doors comparisons are obvious. Strangely despite loving some of their tracks they are also a band I've never really listened to full albums of. Think I'll do a bit of that over the next few days while I wait for the next album up.

try their first album 'The Doors' (best imo), Strange Days, LA Woman, Morrison Hotel and Live in Detroit which I think is their best Live offering.

Don't get too spooked by 'The End' :-)

Let us know what you think.

ps. avoid The Soft Parade

 

[LGWIO]

So is it punk or new wave?
Is it off its time or timeless?
Is it a barm or......?

She claimed not to remember the more dubious tracks on that album and when I quoted the lyrics to her seemed more forgiving than I thought she would, mumbling something about those being different times.

Thats spooky as besides this weeks offering I am also listening to The Beastie Boys biography at present. I had just got to the section where they are talking about "Licence to Ill" and how that was very much "of its time" and how it was embarassing now yet still had so many women following it and liking it. But then, were the listeners taking it at face value or seeing it as a bit of fun?..... Was Benny Hill a bit of fun....at the time? There is clearly some humour in this selection aswell. the whole "London Lady"/Mersey Tunnel angle and even the clicking teeth on "Down in The Sewer", give me that.

Like many I had heard the singles, Golden Brown being my main memory and then Keith Floyd's title music, but had never owned anything by them or listened to a whole album.

Once again I have to thank this thread for making me broaden my horizons and I thoroughly enjoyed this week, pretty much as I did "Crossing The Red Sea". Once again it's a first album and pretty damn good for that first effort. Whereas you could hear that with The Adverts its not so obvious in this case, but thats perhaps down to the marvel that is the bass and the keyboards. They give this the "new wave angle" with the vocals giving us the more punk/attitude side.

The singles off this are excellent but are ably supported by "Sometimes", "Hanging Around" (which my son commented on in the car without me saying anything, "bet you like this one, this one is so you"...and he was not wrong) and then the best on the album, "Down in the Sewer". As otherss have said, I think the only duffer on there is perhaps "Ugly", but thoroughly enjoyable. There is that quality from Greenfield/Burnel & Black that gives strength to this album which makes it stand out from so much that was around at that time that I dont think had that musicianship...and so its a 8 from the Derry jury

 

[GornikDaze]

Hugely disappointed in this unfortunately. It was cool listening to this back in the day on my mates wonky turntable - or maybe it was an already warped copy! For a 14 year olds tender ears it was good fun and gave you membership to the school ‘punk’ chit chat. As punk developed however I seemed to maintain my rock roots and never really got the spiky hair and safety pin stuff.
Fast forward and I think the main reason I struggle to listen to this now is the ever present keyboard. I’ve seen references to Lord and Wakeman who I love listening to and still do on a regular basis. Stranglers keyboard sound for me is all a bit fairground organ which is really irritating.
I don’t mind the vocals - some real Zappa influences at times. Stand out is the bass which really kept me engaged longer than it would have otherwise.
Fave track is Princess of the Streets - some decent guitar and Zappa vocals.
Good memories from back in the day - 6/10 for me

 

[Saddleworth2]

At least it is not some gritless-guitared generic whispy-voiced half-moany indie pish, right?

That kind of music never gets played on this thread thank god.

 

[Coatigan]

An absolute masterpiece from one Britain's most under the radar, unfashionable bands, very marmite, for me they would be up in the British pantheon hall of of fame alongside the Beatles, stones, pink Floyd. Led Zep, Queen, the Pistols and the clash, their next four albums weren't to shabby either. the lyrics, melodies, Jean Jacques bass and the magnificent key boards of Dave Greenfield, the whole album is sublime.

Agree they are underrated/unfashinable, and that their quality is comparable to the much more hailed bands you mention.

 

[Coatigan]

Hugely disappointed in this unfortunately. It was cool listening to this back in the day on my mates wonky turntable - or maybe it was an already warped copy! For a 14 year olds tender ears it was good fun and gave you membership to the school ‘punk’ chit chat. As punk developed however I seemed to maintain my rock roots and never really got the spiky hair and safety pin stuff.
Fast forward and I think the main reason I struggle to listen to this now is the ever present keyboard. I’ve seen references to Lord and Wakeman who I love listening to and still do on a regular basis. Stranglers keyboard sound for me is all a bit fairground organ which is really irritating.
I don’t mind the vocals - some real Zappa influences at times. Stand out is the bass which really kept me engaged longer than it would have otherwise.
Fave track is Princess of the Streets - some decent guitar and Zappa vocals.
Good memories from back in the day - 6/10 for me

If hugely disappointed is a 6, I'd hate to see what a 3 is.

 

[Out on blue 6]

If hugely disappointed is a 6, I'd hate to see what a 3 is.

Might see some this week Coats!!

 

[GornikDaze]

If hugely disappointed is a 6, I'd hate to see what a 3 is.

Maybe the hugely was a bit strong! Nostalgic me got the better of hard nosed me :)