The Album Review Club - Week #146 - (page 1935) - Ocean Rain - Echo and the Bunnymen

[ballbag]

The Charlatans are one of my favourite bands of all time and I regularly play their early albums in their entirety.

They’ve produced tune after tune for 35 years now and have always evolved and kept their sound fresh.

They’re fucking brilliant live and their gigs always have a top vibe.

Tellin Stories has a number of fucking belters (the singles are up with there with their very best) on it but imo isn’t one of their best LPs and doesn’t flow as well as others.

I’m baffled by the number of posters who haven’t heard much of their stuff aside from The Only One I Know.

Here’s a few of their belters

Amen to that. Don't let 'The Only One I Know' by The Charlatans be the only one you know by The Charlatans.

 

[threespires]

The rigour this thread encourages can be instructive. I've always been happy enough to listen The Charlatans for a song or three but never invested enough for much more. I have never given it any thought whatsoever as to why, but now 'forced' to do so by the thread it transpires the answer is blindingly obvious and very simple. Despite the enjoyable music which has a pleasing variety of influences, I simply cannot tolerate Tim Burgess's voice for more than a short period. It's the weakest link by some margin. The harmonies often disguise it but not enough. I'm not going to score this immediately as I'll probably underscore it but unlike Oasis it's ceiling will probably be determined by it's frontman.

 

[RobMCFC]

The rigour this thread encourages can be instructive. I've always been happy enough to listen The Charlatans for a song or three but never invested enough for much more. I have never given it any thought whatsoever as to why, but now 'forced' to do so by the thread it transpires the answer is blindingly obvious and very simple. Despite the enjoyable music which has a pleasing variety of influences, I simply cannot tolerate Tim Burgess's voice for more than a short period. It's the weakest link by some margin. The harmonies often disguise it but not enough. I'm not going to score this immediately as I'll probably underscore it but unlike Oasis it's ceiling will probably be determined by it's frontman.

Tim Burgess’ voice is definitely one criticism that I can take on the chin here - you know I do it enough when reviewing everybody else’s albums. In my case, I feel that the guitar and organ work more than covers up any weaknesses.

 

[Black&White&BlueMoon Town]

Tim Burgess’ voice is definitely one criticism that I can take on the chin here - you know I do it enough when reviewing everybody else’s albums. In my case, I feel that the guitar and organ work more than covers up any weaknesses.

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. ;-)

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

Over here they’re The Charlatans UK and while I’ve heard bits and pieces and flat-out love The Only One I Know, this is will be my first go at a whole album.

So far they sound like Oasis if @RobMCFC had produced them :). Just kidding — the joke just writes itself; too easy to pass up after so many Rob selections!

That crisp driving guitar is quality and there’s a bit of a twang in there. So far so good.

 

[BlueHammer85]

Tim Burgess’ voice is definitely one criticism that I can take on the chin here - you know I do it enough when reviewing everybody else’s albums. In my case, I feel that the guitar and organ work more than covers up any weaknesses.

He sounds a bit like Ian Brown on many of the tracks i thought.

 

[RobMCFC]

He sounds a bit like Ian Brown on many of the tracks i thought.

Oh god, no! Please don’t say that. Ian Brown is several layers of hell below most singers.

 

[Coatigan]

Over here they’re The Charlatans UK and while I’ve heard bits and pieces and flat-out love The Only One I Know, this is will be my first go at a whole album.

So far they sound like Oasis if @RobMCFC had produced them :). Just kidding — the joke just writes itself; too easy to pass up after so many Rob selections!

That crisp driving guitar is quality and there’s a bit of a twang in there. So far so good.

That's pretty much exactly what they sound like, that made me laugh out loud

 

[RobMCFC]

Naturally I think all of my nominations are great but I’m proud of the range I’ve covered with my last three selections:-

• Bruce Hornsby - American jazz, blues, Americana, pop
• INXS - Australian new wave/rock
• The Charlatans - British indie rock

Not that they’ve all gone down well with the punters but at least I’m trying to pull different sounding selections out of the bag.

Or are we saying that they all sound the same?

 

[BimboBob]

Naturally I think all of my nominations are great but I’m proud of the range I’ve covered with my last three selections:-

• Bruce Hornsby - American jazz, blues, Americana, pop
• INXS - Australian new wave/rock
• The Charlatans - British indie rock

Not that they’ve all gone down well with the punters but at least I’m trying to pull different sounding selections out of the bag.

Or are we saying that they all sound the same?

Turning into Bluehammer with your snide comments. Stop it, you are better than that.

And anyway...I've not had a second listen yet...