1.[single version] (3:36) 2.Theme from "The Wish" (3:29) 3. [alternate take] (3:22) 4.Sproston Green [US remix] (6:01)
I guess it was only a matter of time before I came to the Charlatans [or Charlatans UK, if you're reading this in North America], as they're one of the most-represented acts on my shelves (14 CD singles in total). They're one of those bands I keep coming back to, and I always surprise myself by how much I like them.
I have a specific - if not especially interesting - memory of buying this single. It was the day we agreeed to rent the flat where we now live, in the hot summer of 2003. After we'd been to the letting agent's office, we strolled into South Harrow and I bought this in a charity shop for the grand sum of 50p. I took it home to our old flat and had to change a fuse in the stereo before I could play it.
Weirdo itself was of course the first single (and only hit) from the band's difficult second LP Between 10th and 11th. It remains a bit of an indie-disco favourite even now, thanks to Flood's dancey production (which has aged surprisingly well) and to the brilliant organ hook played by Rob Collins. Meanwhile, new guitarist Mark Collins-no-relation makes his first truly memorable contribution to a Charlatans record with early hints of his underrated country-blues playing in the solo; watch out for the duelling section between the two Collinses too, and there's even one of Martin Blunt's trademark bass breaks. The album is better than it's often given credit for, but nonetheless this track stands out a mile off. The single edit differs from the album cut (also available, without crossfades, on the Melting Pot compilation) by excising a loud intake of breath (and who knows what else?) immediately before the vocal.
It's a sign of the band's dissatisfaction with their second album that, when compiling the aforementioned Melting Pot, they chose to include Theme from "The Wish" in preference to any other LP tracks. It's a perfectly decent intstrumental - hence no writing credit for Tim Burgess - and surely begs to be played under footage of goals from last week's Premiership action, but it's hard to argue that it's better than 'I Don't Want to See the Sights,' for instance.
The alternate take, produced by Peter Walsh, is a moderately more relaxed-sounding version, but the most obvious difference is the absence of that all-important organ hook.
The US version of Sproston Green differs radically from the version that closes the previous Some Friendly album. As the name suggests, it's a remix (again by Flood) designed to appeal to the American market, where the album had been a minor success; as such it trims some of the psychedelic edge off the original, bringing the vocals and guitars much more to the forefront (mind you, this is CD is also rather better mastered than the first album). This single features a longer edit than the one on Melting Pot, with an extended intro (faded in on the original mix) and a full close rather than the fade-out heard elsewhere.
Since then, the Charlatans have obtained a reputation as sufferers of misfortune, the most obvious being the demise of Rob Collins in 1996. However, they have continued working, outlasting many a trend, and promise a new album later in 2004.
ONLINE:
The band's official site is not at all bad, complete with the obligatory message board.
Their former record company also give the band a page, and sell this single in their online shop.
This fansite is chiefly a discography, including this very record and its slightly gratuitous sleeve.
Other unofficial sites include Sweet Southern Bliss, Charlatans Forever and the aptly named The Charlatans.info.
Tim Burgess has a website for his own solo recordings.
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