The Charlatans - You Cross My Path
(Cooking Vinyl)
http://www.thecharlatans.net

The tenth studio album from The Charlatans has already been given a large dose of publicity following the band’s decision to release as a free download a few months ago. You Cross My Path is a short collection of songs and some of the finest Charlatans music since 2001’s Wonderland.

Sumptuous opening track, Oh! Vanity - the album’s second single – is reminiscent of Spector’s Wall of Sound and acts as a great introduction to the whole album. But on dance-pop tracks Bad Days and The Misbegotten, the New Order-esque tinge that the band often cite as an important influence throughout their twenty year long career come into full effect.

The title track is one of the standout songs on the album, tinted with defiance and very catchy, sticking in your head days later. However, Missing Beats (Of A Generation) evokes the spirit of Weirdo a little too much. BIRD is a beautiful vintage Charlatans track and will be a fantastic soundtrack for beers and barbecues in the summer evenings after an afternoon in the pub garden.

The album wraps up with the rousing, appropriately titled This Is The End, which is definitely one for the devotee sing-alongs on tour. After the comparative disappointment of last two albums, The Charlatans have brought it back to their roots. You Cross My Path is definite a welcome return to form.

Ali Rees