Up to Our Hips
Manchester-bashers will be shocked by the third effort from the Charlatans, which bares nary a trace of the hollow psychedelic dance-pop that became synonymous with that town and this band in the late '80s. Up to Our Hips has a slow, bluesy feel and strong, well-crafted tunes. Maybe the band sobered up after keyboardist Rob Collins was arrested for armed robbery; maybe it gleaned more than style from its new-found love for German art-rockers Can, or maybe it was the influence of unlikely producer Steve Hillage of Gong. Whatever the case, Up to Our Hips is a substantive, rewarding effort .Jim DeRogatis