Still at the Top of Their Game
One of the best UK acts of the past two decades is joining the diverse range of artists putting 'out just in time for Christmas' compilations of their work. The difference between this one and some of the newer, usually pop acts that crowbar a best of out as soon as their singles count reaches double figures is that this is the second hits collection from the Charlatans, and 'Forever: The Singles' only contains six of the songs that made it on to 'Melting Pot', thereby proving this band has genuine depth in quality. Credit is also due for the fact that the tracklist is in chronological order, the only way a greatest hits CD should be.
This collection actually goes further back than 'Melting Pot' did, for the opening track is 'Indian Rope', their 1990 single that is appearing on an album for the very first time.
Their massive break-through anthem 'The Only One I Know' is next, followed by the equally brilliant but not as successful singles 'Weirdo' (1992), 'Can't Get Out Of Bed' (1994) and 'Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over' (1995).
Our time machine journey through the hits of the Charlatans has reached 1996, and we're hardly into the album. For me to have a Charlatans best of without 'Just Looking' is a crime, but all fans will look at a tracklist like this and notice the ones missed out as well as those that have made the cut. It does make sense to do a whistle stop tour of the early years as you need the classics, however to include everything that was on 'Melting Pot' could well provoke the rip off and money making finger pointing.
The live favourites 'North Country Boy' and 'How High' appear next, with the trio of singles from 1997 made up by 'Tellin' Stories'.
If you don't own the whole of a bands back catalogue then a compilation is a good way of refreshing the memory of some of their less famous offerings. This is no exception and for me the forgotten classic is the title track 'Forever'.
It was the end of the nineties and start of this decade where, for me the Charlatans drifted a touch. 'Love Is The Key' was an OK single, but tracks like 'A Man Needs To Be Told' are nothing more than strong album songs. They have come right back to form since though and looking at the band's singles as they stand alongside each other, it's clear the Charlatans have written songs as good as ever in the past couple of years. 'Up At The Lake' and 'Try Again Today' are two of the best this album has to offer. 'Blackened Blue Eyes' is every inch a charlatans classic, it even has their distinctive keyboard sound that makes their work so instantly recognizable. The quartet could have been completed by the inclusion of 'NYC' from 2006 album 'Simpatico'. Having seen them open their Electric Gardens headline set with it last August there's no argument about it's class and that the band are still at the top of their game.
The final track is 'You're So Pretty We're So Pretty' (Youth Remix), described as "the single that never was". This is a dance version of the track and it's perfectly alright but certainly one of the weaker numbers...you may have already figured out I have suggestions of what could have gone in it's place.
One or two exceptions aside, this is as good a collection of indie rock songs as you could wish for. The band are about to head out on the road for an end of year tour. If they're planning on playing most of this little lot that's gonna be one mighty fine night out!