Charango [ENHANCED]

Morcheeba

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 16, 2002)
• Original Release Date: July 2, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B00006AAVZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,745 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Since bursting onto the charts and into national consciousness with 1998's sophomore album, Big Calm, Morcheeba have carved a niche as purveyors of evocative nuevo-lounge and dreamy ambience. While 2000's Fragments of Freedom saw the South Londoners' first tentative step out of the "coffee table" pigeonhole, Charango is the sound of them relaxing, infusing influences such as hip-hop, country, and cinematic scores into a joyous blend of humor, romance, and soothing melancholy. Vintage moments like the lush lethargy of "Slow Down" and the string-laden single "Otherwise" share space with interesting collaborations. Lambchop frontman Kurt Wagner lends his achingly emotive vocal to "What New York Couples Fight About," while Slick Rick's dulcet tones flow through "Women Lose Weight," a tongue-in-cheek tale of a husband driven to murder by his overweight wife. Adventurous and inspired yet dripping with Morcheeba's trademark languid rhythms and tranquil melodies, Charango is at the very least a return to form and arguably their best work to date. --Christopher Barrett

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nonchalant, relaxing, humourous - excellent, July 18, 2002

By	Sandy (Brussels, Belgium) - See all my reviews

Morcheeba is evolving slowly from one album to the other, by light touches, absorbing current trends without losing their identity. It is once again the case with this release.

While the first radio friendly single "Otherwise", the catchy and upbeat "Women lose weight" (nice contrast between Slick Rick rap and Skye voice but weird lyrics) or the beautiful "Aqualung" are in direct continuity with "Fragments of freedom", other tracks are looking in the electro lounge direction, keeping an organic feel though. "Slow down" with its hypnotic beat, the Chris Rea like guitar solo and Skye laid back vocals is a good example. So are "Undress me now" or "Way beyond".

"Sao Paulo" is an exotic and summery track. "Charango" is almost instrumental with only some rap lines thrown in. It sounds like a future chill out/post-clubbing hit to me. "What New York couples fight about" is one of my favourites. It is a precious and hypnotic trip hop track. The combination of Kurt Wagner's evocative lead vocals and Skye's breathy backing ones is working great and make this song special. It reminds me of "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence" soundtrack. I have not heard anything from Lambshop but I might in the future. "Get along" and the atmospheric "Public display of affection" have Morcheeba first albums tranquility and nonchalance. The album closes on a cinematic instrumental "The great London traffic Waden massacre".

This is an album for those who are looking for quiet, soft, relaxing music and soothing vocals. It is the type of music who will insinuate in your head without being noticed. So throw away the shoes, stretch that aching back and take a deep breath, it's time for a break...

Note: There is a limited edition of the album with a bonus CD containing instrumentals of the 12 album tracks. The instrumentals are exactly the repetition of what you already have on disc one minus the vocals (and two original tracks are already instrumentals). Worth it if you're a Morcheeba collector or if you enjoy instrumental background music.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Return to form for Morcheeba, though in another direction..., July 16, 2002

By	Carlo San Juan "Caz MD" (Metro Manila, Philippines) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Although this is Morcheeba's fourth album (not including their stint with the "Back to Mine" series), "Charango" is just as fresh and artistic as each of their previous albums. In my opinion, they once again succesfully venture into new ground while keeping the sound that has been their signature throughout their previous releases.
The album starts off with the slow and sensual track, "Slow Down", which is reminiscent of their approach in their debut album "Who Can You Trust?", a nod to their fans from the beginning. They seem to tell you to relax and chill, which is what I loved about Morcheeba from the start.
The next track is "Otherwise", which I felt very easy to get into. This one reminds me of their second album "Big Calm". However, it has a different edge to it as Skye (the lead singer) is blasting a no-good lover, something new from the usually optimistic group. I like it though, this group always tries something new. This may be the track most people would enjoy as it is, I feel, the most mainstream.
"Aqualung" is another track I like due to it's fresh poppy beat which keeps a slight tone of melancholy. It's an interesting mix of instruments but it does maintain an easy harmony.
"Sao Paulo" is another new direction for the band, and possibly the track I love the most. The music is not something I haven't heard before, but the lyrics are ironically powerful, a completely different mood from the background.
"Charango", which features Pacewon, is a cool upbeat groove with sporadic rap here and there. I like this one, pretty urban and chill, but like many of the songs in this album, there's that dark tone.
"What New York Couples Fight About" is another dark urban story set in an otherwise simple tune. Kurt Wagner sings with Skye here, and I feel he does a great job.
"Undress Me Now" is a sensual groove with what I think is a little bit of 70's style thrown in. It's still Morcheeba though and the lyrics are clever. Great slow soothing track, something to use to set the mood.
"Way Beyond" is a another track I enjoy a lot. This one kind of has some 70's groove thrown in too. It's a relaxing tune with an interesting held-back message in the lyrics.
"Women Lose Weight" is like Will Smith singing an Eminem song. This features Slick Rick who I felt does a great job for such a strange release from Morcheeba. I though it was enjoyable to listen to but such a dark story may turn some people off.
Pacewon returns in "Get Along". This sounds like it was made between "Big Calm" and "Fragments of Freedom", the group's 2nd and 3rd albums, respectively. It's a slightly more cheerful song, but once Pacewon comes in it turns around and becomes gritty. Cool track!
"Public Displays of Affection" is another interesting track. It's a frustrating song for me, but I love it for that. Very rough and serene at the same time. Oh, the lovelorn...

"The Great London Traffic Warden Massacre" wraps up the album. It's an upbeat musical score with what I felt was another dark undertone. It's very subtle which makes this song, in my opinion, brilliant.
All in all, for old Morcheeba fans, I think you'll like this album, definitely over "Fragments of Freedom". It has all the good points from their previous releases though this may be their darkest album so far. A very different direction from their norm.
For those thinking of trying something new, go for it. I think "Charango" is an odd artistic foray with contradicting levels that effortlessly intertwine and that makes this album one of Morcheeba's best.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charango is Sweet and Chilled, December 8, 2002

By	itgirl1928 (Florida) - See all my reviews

Charango is my first Morcheeba buy and I am not disappointed with any of the lucious, sugary tracks. The first I had heard of Morcheeba was "Rome Wasn't Built In a Day" from Fragments of Freedom and absolutely fell in love with Skye's vocals. Charango only has solidified my new found love for Morcheeba. I am not usually into rap but the tracks "Charango", "Women Lose Weight" (one of my personal favourites), and "Get Along" keep the album from becoming just another album. Some might find "Women Lose Weight" disturbing or odd but when you listen to the story it's actually a really amusing story of a man who wants to kill his wife. It's fun and reminisent of early rap or if you will the fun of a Sir Mix-a-Lot song. But the sweetest moment's come from the laid back tracks. "What New York Couples Fight About", and "Sao Paulo" had me won over and hitting repeat the first time I heard them. "Otherwise", and "Aqualung" are inspired and "Undress Me Now" is just a sexy awesome piece. It's a really great album for getting in any mood, whether for partying or just any kind of fun. It's one of the best album's I have ever heard and I highly recommend.