We're always travelling between storeys. On the way from somewhere to somewhere else. The Charlatans realised this. They had a lot of death to deal with, as we all do. But they kept the essential nature of their sound constant and also moving onward.
Between 10th & 11th was the bands second album It came out in 1992 on the Situation 22 label, a subsiduary of Beggars Banquet. The album was recorded in Rockfield Studuis in Monmouth, Wales. It was critically slated for it's laziness on its release but has later been reevaluated and I'd say deservedly so . For its thoughtfulness and introspection. It's desire to survive
I like the record because of its sense and desire for transition. It almost feels like a mission at its best. The Charlatans first big hit The Only One still perhaps their definitive song, quotes The Byrds and harks back to The Sixties as a Golden Age. Between 10th & 11th kicks up a gear on the second side and there's a magical questing quality to the music. A direction in the lack of specific articulation of direction, They were listening to Dylan. Never a bad idea. .
Th last two tracks Chewing Gum Weekend and (No One) Not Even the Rain are my picks of the litter. At theor best The Charlarans weaved a fog for themselves and lost themselves in it. I didn't buy this myself at the time but I'm glad I have it now,. I was transitioning myself. At home with my parents in Teddington. Still recovering from an illness that I realise now could have pulled the plug on me. Onwards. Ever onwards.....
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