Some Friendly (Reis)

The Charlatans UK | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 23, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Beggars UK - Ada
• ASIN: B000006NTR
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #252,362 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #33 in Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Alternative Pop

Track Listings

1. You're Not Very Well

2. White Shirt

3. The Only One I Know

4. Opportunity

5. Then

6. 109 pt2

7. Polar Bear

8. Believe You Me

9. Flower

10. Sonic

11. Sproston Green

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BYE TO THE BAD, BAD GIRL..., October 11, 2000

By 

EriKa "E" (Iceland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Some Friendly (Reis) (Audio CD)

The Charlatans, I feel, distinguished themselves from the flock of other bands who emerged from the UK during the same time frame. While the Stone Roses got all the critical acclaim and were hyped to the point of not being able to perform, the Charlatans quietly stole the thunder. Some Friendly was a complete, engaging album at the time of its release, and I have never tired of it. Listening to it now, ten years hence, it is still fresh, engaging, and unforgettable. Particularly the more catchy songs like "The Only One I Know" (which in the case of the much-beleagured Charlatans may be true-- most people have ONLY heard this song!), "White Shirt" (with its "she laughed and then she died" refrain), "Flowers", and the classic "Sproston Green". It is telling that the Charlatans are the only band still intact after a decade still making clever songs... and this album sounds even better and more groundbreaking in hindsight. Tim Burgess's unique vocals and the signature Hammond organ are part of what set this group apart from the others, but above all, they just had what it takes to survive. I for one will always love this album. It's just... dead,dead good.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars (four and a half stars) I heard a song on the radio . . ., February 4, 2006

By 

trainreader (Montclair, N.J.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Some Friendly (Reis) (Audio CD)

It must have been about fifteen years ago that I heard part of a song on the radio containing this unique swirling 60's styled psychedelic sound -- including a Hammond organ. After attempting to figure out what the song could be, and the performer of it, I tried in desperation to call the station I heard it on and singing into the telephone what I could recall of the song -- to no avail (this was years before one could get this information from the internet). Anyway, eventually I heard the song again, and it, of course, was "The Only One I Know," by the Charlatans UK, so I immediately rushed out to purchase "Some Friendly." Half a dozen albums later (and one concert in a small club) and I'm still a fan.

Actually, as it turns out, the aforementioned "The Only One I Know," became my second favorite song on the album, surpassed by the even better "Then," with that amazing bass line complimented perfectly by the omnipresent organ. The shimmering nostalgic feeling of "Sproston Green" concludes the album on a high note. Other highlights for me are the opener "You're Not Very Well," and the lively "Believe You Me," but there really isn't a weak link to this very fine album.

Obviously, it's natural to compare The Charlatans to the Stone Roses and Oasis. To me, the Stone Roses debut album sets an almost impossible watermark. The music is richer and more complex, and the Roses clearly had the more talented musicians. However, as pointed out in a previous review, the Stone Roses star burned too bright too soon, whereas The Charlatans play on. As far as Oasis is concerned, I've always liked the Charlatans more, although I can see how one could argue that the Charlatans could not match Oasis at their best (certainly not in cd or ticket sales).

The unfortunate thing about the Charlatans is that I think "Some Friendly," remains their freshest and best album to date. In later albums, the band would include too many songs that were unmemorable and, at times, somewhat dull. Even so, The Charlatans really should have been better known in the U.S.A. based on their first two albums alone. Just consider how few have reviewed "Some Friendly," and you'll see my point.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The only one I have., March 22, 2003

By 

H3@+h "Over 1500 reviews!" (thanks for the helpful review votes) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Some Friendly (Reis) (Audio CD)

Though the whole album is pretty good, "The only one I know" is definitely the high point. Most of the disc has a good groove to it, and has alot of organ throughout. Some tracks dancy, some trippy. It simultaneously sounds retro and modern, and is good thing just to put on and enjoy. They also have a "best of" called "Melting pot", you may want to try that out. Either disc should fit well between your "Happy Mondays" and "Stone Roses" cd's.