Simpatico

by

The Charlatans

Edit

Ok, so maybe I lived in Britain during the "baggy" era, and didn't wear baggy's. What i DID wear was a permanent grin the first time I heard Indian Rope, the first single by the Charlatans. Since, this band has gone through more chameleon like changes than Boy Georges coif but in them all they have never lost touch with a certain core sound. That core sound being sustained and nurtured on this one, showing a band who is willing to remain true to form while putting their own distinctive mark on everything they touch. This effort captures Tim Burgess at his vocal best, displaying maturity and a willingness to step out of the frame with musical styles that run the gamut of NYC Beatbox, to flat out rock, reggae and some of the finest modern blues available. The arrangements are tight, but not in a "gotta lay down to pull them on" kind of way, but tight in the way that lets the essence of each melody shine through and revel in the execution. The vocals compliment without leading, and the music itself leads you down that sartorial british hedgerow to summer bliss.......in all Simpatico, just in time for the season.

There is now no trace of delight left in this band. All songs are either moderately slow and somewhat self-indulgent or frightfully slow and quite self-indulgent. I do love this band and pronounce praises upon them whenever I receive a doe-eyed look saying their name, but this CD and the CD previous (which did have 1 tune, "Apples," with which one could smile) does, for the first time, take away any anticipation for their next collection of chopfallen tunes.

First, we loose the Roses, then the Ned's disband, following that, Swervedriver breaks apart and Velocity Girl is gone forevermore. Now my Charlatans have become charlatans of the great band they once were.