Pass The Dutchie?

The Charlatans UK - Simpatico


Can you say Bipolar disorder?

The Charlatans UK sure can!

Simpatico is basically the tale of two genres:

the swirling whirling melodic numbers we’ve come to know and love, and um… Reggae?!

Yup, The Charlatans UK are smoking the ganja!

The non-reggae tracks are actually quite good! Blackened Blue Eyes is a stroll down Stone Roses Lane accompanied by Kasabian, NYC pays homage to The Clash’s Magnificent Seven, Glory Glory finds Tim Burgess stripped down to his undercakes in front of a mirror, and Muddy Ground’s perfect mix of groove and haunting piano is hands down the best Charlatans song I’ve heard since Opportunity.

And then there’s the other half of the album…

Like The Specials? Like early Police? Like Bob Marley? Then you’ll probably love it.

When The Lights Go Out In London and The Architect are the best of the batch with more of a Specials influence...

but I certainly would’ve preferred The Charlatans to have left the doobage outside the studio!