Us And Us Only

The Charlatans U.K.: Tim Burgess (vocals); Mark Collins (guitar); Tony Rogers (piano, organ, Mellotron, background vocals); Martin Blunt (bass); Jon Brookes (drums). Since 1994's UP TO OUR HIPS, the Charlatans have followed an unerring, upward trajectory. Their fanbase has increased, courtesy of a dedicated live following and the regular release of albums that have each been viewed as superior to previous efforts. US AND US ONLY, The Charlatans' sixth long-player, follows this perceived trend. In truth, these albums-notably 1995's THE CHARLATANS-have had remarkable highlights but lacked consistency. US AND US ONLY sets this right. It is arguably the Charlatans' finest album and certainly their most coherent since UP TO OUR HIPS. While the moodiness of "My Beautiful Friend" and "Forever" recall earlier work, most of the tracks pursue the country-tinged elements of "Tellin' Stories" to their logical conclusion. "Impossible" and "A House is Not a Home" are unashamedly Dylanesque, combining a rustic acoustic guitar with harmonica and the band's trademark Hammond organ. The two waltzes and the sublime introduction to "The Blind Stagger" are charming without being twee. Their retrospective sound may attract censure in 1999, but thankfully The Charlatans abandoned any concern for fashion long ago.