The Charlatans

One of the best-loved bands of the last four decades, The Charlatans’ career spans 14 albums, three Number One UK albums and era-defining anthems like “The Only One I Know”, “North Country Boy” and “One to Another”.

Out on 27 March and available to pre-order now, this 2XLP/2XCD expanded edition of Some Friendly celebrates their landmark 1990 debut album. The 20 songs on this release include the original album plus a selection of bonus tracks curated especially for this release by Tim Burgess. The album has been newly remastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road and will be pressed on double white vinyl with a printed inner gatefold sleeve. It is also available on 2XCD.

The Charlatans formed in 1988 and released their debut single “Indian Rope” in early 1990. They began recording Some Friendly shortly after with producer Chris Nagle. The blistering lead single, “The Only One I Know” was their first top-10 hit, and is still their most popular song. The song has recently been getting even more attention for its use in the popular Netflix series Run Away. Two additional singles followed with “Then” and “Sproston Green”.

The band’s success comes not just from their ability to be able to ride the groove but also from their talent for writing standout songs. These were the gifts that made them among the greatest British survivors of our time, rolling through tragedy and stylistic changes to amass a terrific body of work - one that was modern enough to play in clubs but classicist enough to stand the test of time, and one that continues to grow to this day. Last year they released their 14th studio album We Are Love.

Tracklisting w/notes by Tim Burgess

A1. You're Not Very Well

A2. White Shirt - “I was listening to Ballad Of The Band by Felt - I wanted a song with that kind of feel to it”

A3. The Only One I Know - “It’s a song about teenage feelings: I was 21 or 22, but had those powerful emotions. I was a big Byrds fan so the line “Everyone’s been burned before, everyone knows the pain” is a nod to their song “Everybody’s Been Burned”. I was ecstatic when the Byrds’ Roger McGuinn said he loved us. It’s an unusual song construction. I’m still not sure which bit is the chorus. The title and main hook is in the verse, but the intro – before the main song crashes in – gives people just enough time to get on the dancefloor.”

A4. Opportunity

A5. Then

A6. 109 Pt.2 - “We had an instrumental 109 that we began our live set with (from the very beginning) This was an update - a chance to remix and recreate. I played the synth and worked the night shift with Chris Nagle after everyone had gone to bed. The voice you can hear is Robert De Niro - playing the devil in Angel Heart. We wrote to him to ask his permission to use it. We were knocked out when he said yes. De Niro doing that made me vow to help bands whenever I could. He really didn’t have to help us.”

B1. Polar Bear

B2. Believe You Me - “It’s about being a Gemini. Rob Collins incredibly double tracked all the Hammond on this track - he was beyond brilliant. There was nobody like him. A genius.”

B3. Flower - “Pixies ‘inspired’ bass line...one of the first songs we wrote when the five of us came to be The Charlatans”

B4. Sonic

B5. Sproston Green

C1. Then [7” Mix]

C2. Taurus Moaner

C3. Then [Alternate Take]

C4. Taurus Moaner [Instrumental] C5. Over Rising

D1. Happen to Die [Edit]

D2. Way Up There

D3. Opportunity Three

D4. Happen to Die [Full Length]

“Revisiting ‘Some Friendly’ turns out to be the best evidence that, whether anyone realised it at the time or not, the Charlatans were thoroughly versed in being enduring, and endearing, from the off.” - The Quietus

“The Only One I Know remains a classic and performs the near-impossible trick of sounding as good today as any of the Roses’ singles ever did – right down to a stinging guitar solo. Some Friendly was an awesome first album establishing the band as their own men.” - Record Collector

“One of the UK’s most enduring bands” - The Guardian