The Charlatans 25 year career has certainly been more traumatic than an entire series of Coronation Street. They return with their new album Modern Nature, their first since the sad passing of their drummer Jon Brookes to cancer.
Tim Burgess has always been the ‘Mr nice guy’ of the British indie scene, our own version of Dave Grohl, the type of guy who will champion new talent and be a father figure for modern indie bands. Just take a look at the line up for the tribute to Brookes, where members of The Vaccines and Mumford and Sons were non-hesitant in lending a hand. And with their 12th album Modern Nature, it’s time for those friends to pay back their love, with members of New Order, The Verve, Factory Floor and Dexys all keen to lend a hand to one of Britains most-loved bands.
But what do The Charlatans sound like in 2015? Back to their early 90’s baggy influence? A return to the falsetto pop of the early 00’s? Or a dubstep/metal hybrid… Well none of the above. Instead we are introduced to a more soulful, but eclectic album, that is less abrasive than their last outing. Modern Nature certainly has more of a groove feel than any of the bands previous records. A more relaxed attitude to songwriting and less reliance on writing the next indie anthem. Their influences have matured and we are introduced to a Charlatans record that’s closer to a Northern Soul and even 70’s MOR pop album than Britpop. Although this isn’t a Leo Sayer record, it’s probably not the album their fan base was aching for.
In previous years they have shined their brightest after a defeat. Whether the passing of a member or losing their fortune to their accountant. The band have always bounced back with a killer album. Sadly not this time. There are more than enough moments to check out the record, especially when they draw from their soul influences and the newly enlisted backing vocalists as in to ‘Come Home Baby‘ and ‘Trouble Understanding‘. And surely ‘Lean In‘ will be the new live favourite. But the other half of the album sadly meanders and this feels like an opportunity missed and there is little on offer that is as interesting as say Burgess’s current hairdo.
Modern Nature doesn’t exactly ‘shiiine’; (as a fellow Manchester singer would put it) but it more than certainly proves that The Charlatans are relevant and won’t be on the Christmas play the hits and run routine that many of their former contemporaries have found themselves treading. A grown up record that doesn’t rely on shameless nostalgia.
