You can’t keep a good band down, it would seem. The fact that The Charlatans are here 14 years after the baggy nirvana of debut album "Some Friendly" is testament to the emphatically loyal and dedicated following they’ve built steadily over those years. They’re the sort of band that stay with you – like an aging but loyal, trustworthy hound – always moving forward without abandoning their past.
Following frontman Tim Burgess’ sojourn in LA, which inspired the superlative rock soul of 2001’s "Wonderland" and a plainly self-indulgent solo project, it comes as a surprise that "Up At The Lake" has arrived at all. But having shrugged-off imprisonment, death, depression and a dodgy accountant, nailing their eighth album in just two weeks at Bodmin Moor was probably quite straightforward.
It's immediately apparent that Burgess has ditched "Wonderland"'s falsetto squeak and returned to his nasal drawl, while musically the sound is reminiscent of the trad-rock of 1997’s "Tellin’ Stories’" rather than the funk groove of their last outing. And although, essentially, there’s nothing exceptional here, as an album "Up At The Lake" flows seamlessly.
The opener and title track plods in familiar style - guitars chugging, organs whirring - while Burgess spews forward a rather nonsensical collection of lyrics about leprechauns and liking a bit of bugle and champagne. "Watch You In Disbelief", meanwhile, veers into turgid rockabilly territory saved only by a typical Charlatans sliding chorus. However, there are highlights, including the anthemic "High Up In Your Tree", the harmonising pop of "Loving You Is Easy" – which sees organist Tony Rodgers on lead vocals - while redemptive closing track "Dead Love" showcases a band maturing gracefully.
"Up At The Lake" may not be The Charlatans' finest effort, but it’s certainly good enough to suggest they could still be around for another 14 years. Which, considering the current whereabouts of their fellow 'Madchester' cohorts, is no mean achievement.
