Search - Charlatans UK :: Up to Our Hips

A step down from the Charlatan's previous two albums

trainreader | Montclair, N.J. | 02/11/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"As a Charlatans' fan, I have to disagree with most of the other reviews, in that I think "Some Friendly" and "Between 10th and 11th" are better and more exciting albums. Although "Up to Our Hips" sounds like it may have been better engineered than the previous two, I find about half of the album tepid, or, in the case of "Can't Get out of Bed" and "Jesus Hairdo," too "sing-songy," if you get what I'm saying. I do like "I Never Want an Easy Life," "Autograph," "Patrol," and "Inside-Looking Out" (once the last mentioned stops sounding like the old Peggy Lee standard "You Give Me Fever"), but really, other than possibly "Autograph," I don't consider any of these songs to be in the same class as "The Only One I Know," "Then," "Sproston Green," "Tremolo Song," or "Weirdo," not to mention some other great songs that came later. "Feel Flows" is interesting in a druggy sort of way, but grows tedious after several listenings.



I guess I could say I like, but don't love, about half of this album, and prefer the Charlatans' prior two releases quite a bit more. But since this and other Charlatans albums have received precious few reviews (as compared, e.g., to the number of reviews for the Stone Roses and Oasis), I feel a certain kinship with other Charlatans fans, and can appreciate the fact that others liked this album alot more than I did."

Brilliant

J. P. Leenaarts | Nashville, TN USA | 08/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When it initially came out, this album was crapped on by critics and fans who said the album had little focus and even less soul. This couldn't be further from the truth. I've followed the Charlatans since early 1990 and they would never surpass this incredible album. Although I love all of their releases in different ways, this is the one I always come back to. If you're a fan of Britpop with a lovely slice of Hammond organ in the background this is worth every penny you could spend on it (and lucky for you, it's probably not selling for much more than a few pennies when you find it used). Full of punchy production, hushed vocals, and a great drum mix you're unlikely to find another disc from this genre and this stage in the 90s that can surpass this one."

Phenomenal rumblings of greatness here...

Sakos | United States | 09/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Up to Our Hips was the Charlatans' third album and is up there with the two albums that followed it (1995's self-titled and 1997's Tellin' Stories) as among their absolute best. This album features heavily the funk and groove of the Charlatans, especially their excellent rhythm section. From classics like Come In Number 21, I Never Want An Easy Life...., Can't Get Out of Bed, the exquisite Jesus Hairdo, and the title track to the rest of the album, there is hardly a weak moment on this disc. I would start with the two albums following this if you're just getting into this band and then move immediately to this one...it's superb and the grooves can't be beat. Tim Burgess' vocals are hushed and intense while the burn of the band behind him is fantastic. A phenomenal album."