The Charlatans

From page 79 of Classic Rock Magazine October 2001



Cover of October 2001 issue.
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'Wonderland'

(Universal/Island Advance CD)

While other members of the Madchester scene have foundered in a fug of bad drugs and ill-feeling, The Charlatans have continued to flourish, and have become one of the most resilient and British rock'n'roll bands of the past 20 years. Like Primal Scream, they pull off the neat trick of remaining true to their 60s roots while successfully integrating their music with the best elements of techno and dance.

Recorded in LA and, er, Cheshire, 'Wonderland', their sixth album, is an orgiastic smorgasbord of the traditional and the contemporary, with the Stonesy rhythms and baggy beats still looming admirably large (it's these guys who should be touring with the Black Crowes, and not that other lot).

Sweet pedal steel guitars coat 'A Man Needs To Be Told', and Tim Burgess explores his Beck-like falsetto on the gritty first single 'Love Is The Key'. 'Belle And The Butterfly' boasts a swaggering, bass-heavy riff dusted with electronica, while the aching and somehow chilling 'And If I Fall' deserves to shuffle into hearts countrywide.

Hypnotic, eclectic and rich in its daring, 'Wonderland' is an exciting place to find yourself.

***** Grant Moon

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