Us And Us Only - The Charlatans

Fellow band members being arrested, illnesses, marriages and the death of their friend and fellow band member, Rob Collins was always going to take it's toll on 5, still-young Manchunian lads. It's been nearly 10 years since The Charlatans formed, many a band would have quit after the bad times these lads have been through. It seems as though all the experiences Tim Burgess and co. have dealt with has given them a greater respect for life, thus making this album more mature, thoughtful and respectful than any other Charlatans record. This album is far more mellow, bluesy, folky and melodic. The outcome is stunning. It is basically, Bob Dylan meets The ...  Read the complete review

I loved The Charlatans in 1989 / 1990, and it's very weird to be here at the start of a new century, listening to their best album yet. The Charlies have a habit of disappearing for a couple of years, and then coming back with an album that everyone likes, before vanishing again. When 'Tellin' Stories' came out, I'd forgotten they existed. It happened again with 'Us and Us only', and it's a classic. The hammond organ and swirling psychedelics of previous years have more or less been laid to rest. This is a more rock based album; a lot of tracks have a distinctly Rolling Stones sound to them ('Senses', ' I don't ...  Read the complete review

This is the first complete Charlatan's album after the death of original keyboard player Rob Collins. The record seems much more thoughtful than previous releases, as they obviously struggled to come to terms with the loss of their friend. The album is titled "Us and Us Only" as it was the first to be produced entirely by the band themselves. It is this kind of siege mentality and togetherness that have seen the Charlatans through many difficult periods to consistently produce superb music. The first song on the album is "Forever", from which the line "Us and Us Only" is taken. The version included on the album is ...  Read the complete review

Few bands have had such misfortune - stints in jail, death of a founder member - yet come out smelling so sweetly. This is the first album without contribution from Rob Collins... and it shows. With the exception of first single/album opener ‘Forever’ and ‘A House Is Not Home’, the lush, swirling organ orgies Collins orchestrated on anthems such as ‘The Only One I Know’, ‘Weirdo’, and ‘Crashin’ In’ have receded. Instead, we find Burgess and co. swimming in folk-inspired acoustic ballads, synth string samples and piano ensembles - features that make Us And Only Us The Charlatans’ finest ...  Read the complete review

Although The Charlatons have been around for a number of years I have to admit that this was the first one of their albums that I bought. I was very impressed with the album and have since bought The Charlatons 'best of' album, 'The Melting Pot'. There are lots of good songs on this album although my favourites are the singles 'My Beautiful Friend' and 'Impossible' which you might recognise from a recent advert for a bank. If you are a fan of The Charlatons then this album is an essential purchase as it is a return to form by Tim Burgess and the rest of the band. ...  Read the complete review