The Charlatans UK - Tellin Stories (13 tracks) +Album Reviews

The Charlatan's masterwork

Damon Navas-Howard | Santa Rosa, CA USA | 05/14/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With "Tellin' Stories", The Charlatans have entered what may be called the "classic album" period or just matured period of their career. Their previous albums have all been average with a few stand out songs on each album (Such as "Weirdo" and "Here Comes A Soul Saver.") They have triumphed with "Tellin' Stories" creating an album where each song, stands on its own and different from the other songs. The Charlatans sound like a real mature band now, not trying to be a The Stone Roses wannabe band like the million other bands that exploded out of Manchester at the time. "Tellin' Stories" would also be a tragic chapter for The Charlatans as they had to deal with the death of Rob Collins but we don't get anything sappy or false but an album which sparkles and is a celebration of life. The opening "With No Shoes" shows The Charlatans mastering their famous organ and rock jam free-flowing style. "North Country Boy" may be their best single to date and is a crowd-pleaser. The album's title track, "Tellin' Stories" is in revival with "Get On It" for best song on the album. "You're A Big Girl Now" is a perfect acoustic melody that isn't spoiled by melodramatic singer-songwritter tendencies. "How High?" was the song that made me buy this album and it is a classic loud feel-good single. I would also like to note the lyrics. The lyrics on "Tellin' Stories" are finally equal to standard good lyrics, very few throwaway lines and all create some kind of image or feeling. No stupid no brainier trying to be slick lyrics here. The lyrics fit the music perfectly. "Get On It" is the perfect example, blending a soulful harmonica and lyrics about going through life. "Get On It" is a favorite of mine to listen to in the morning before school/work. "Tellin' Stories" is worth your money and will be an indispensable album in your collection if you like rock especially British. Enjoy"

The Best thing since the early Stone Roses

Damon Navas-Howard | 05/24/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A simply superb offering from the 'real' Manchester band. This cd will blow your head off and will have you captivated from start to finish with its beautiful lyrics and full flowing acoustic and electric guitar and keyboard. The highlights on this album include 'North Country Boy', 'One to Another', 'How High' and one of my favourites the sur real 'Rob's theme' which is a tribute to band member Rob Collins who sadly died during the making of this record. However, all the tracks do support each other and you are left with an album which flows perfectly. Do yourself a favour and stay a way from the mainstream indie (ie Blur and Cast) and instead buy an album which you will end up gluing to your cd system. Simply the best thing to come out of England since the early Stone Roses."

Brilliant

Damon Navas-Howard | 08/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the best British bands, and criminally underrated. One to Another is one of the best rock/indie records you will ever hear in your life and demonstrates the class of this band. They have a fantastic, distinctive sound and are one of the few in the indie genre that I actually rate highly."

Greatness in the face of adversity

Sakos | United States | 09/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tellin' Stories, the Charlatans' 5th album, continues on the greatness of their previous self-titled album, especially considering that midway through these recording sessions, keyboardist Rob Collins was killed in a car crash. The band soldiered on as a quarter, and produced another one of their best albums. From North Country Boy and With No Shoes to Title Fight, Get On It, How High and Two of Us, this is a fantastic album from beginning to end. This, along with the self-titled album, are high points from their mid-period and essential for fans or anyone who wants to get into this great band."

(four and a half stars) As good as "Some Friendly" and "Betw

trainreader | Montclair, N.J. | 02/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Tellin Stories," which must have been a difficult album to complete after organist Rob Collins died in a car crash, contains two of the the Charlatans U.K.'s best songs: The lusciously textured, almost Moody Bluish, title track, and the rocking "One to Another," which contains an amazingly infectious riff. In fact, the first four songs ("With No Shoes," "Country Boy," "Tellin' Stories," and "One To Another") are so good, that at that point in the album, I would easily rate it five stars. As most fans I'm sure would agree, the remainder of the album isn't quite as remarkable, but still matches, for example, the band's prior self-titled album, to which I gave four stars, which is why I rated "Tellin' Stories" four and half stars, overall.

While perhaps one or two songs towards the end of "Tellin' Stories" might have been shorter, or even omitted, the album never loses steam, and is generally a pleasure to listen to. And, as I said, the songs "Tellin' Stories" and "One to Another" which conveniently appear consecutively on the album, are among the best work the band ever did, both musically and lyrically. I also appreciate the fact that the band dedicated much of the album to Collins, who was an integral component to the Charlatans general sound with his ever-present organ, which became more subtle after the band's first two albums."

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