The Charlatans - The Misbegotten

The Charlatans new single ‘The Misbegotten', released on the 5th of May, has varied from their characteristic Indie sound and would be well received by rave fans, or set the tone in many nightclubs. The Northern band who formed in the early nineties, seem to have gone in a new direction with their newest release as it resembles nothing previously heard by them.

The Charlatans most successful album ‘Tellin’ Stories’ contained some of their highest ranked hits in the UK chart such as ‘How High’, ‘Country Boy’ and ‘One To Another’ (which reached number 3 in the charts). However, they're probably best known for their infamous anthem ‘The Only One I Know’, which is still very popular amongst the ‘Indie crowd’.

The band were heavily influenced by fellow Northern bands such as The Stone Roses and even had the company of Primal Scream's keyboardist Martin Duffy (after the death of Rob Collins) when they supported Oasis on their Knebworth performances in 1996. When listening to their newest releases, the several changes of band members is noticeable in their music, as their sound seems to have varied so drastically in recent years. The catchy yet arguably repetitive nature of 'The Misbegotten' may disappoint diehard Charlatan’ fans, yet would almost definitely appeal to followers of rave and even house music.

Nevertheless, the 2 b-sides to this track seem to have partially recaptured the memorable sound of the Charlatans pre-2000. The first track ‘Blank Heart Blank Mind’, is very easy listening and it would be reminiscent to any long-standing fan; its strong intro, clever lyrics and prominent guitar sounds work well and I think it is a squandered by only being a b-side. The final track ‘Set Me Free’, opens with the feel of a true Charlatans track and then subsides into a disappointing ‘pop’ track with the lyrics ‘Set me free, why don’t you set me free’, which are far from thought-provoking and are rhythmic and tedious.

‘The Misbegotten’ doesn’t convey the best of the band's work and their new musical direction may struggle to appeal to the enduring Charlatans fans.