Modern Nature

by The Charlatans

Overview

The Charlatans are no strangers to loss. Keyboardist Rob Collins died during the recording of their 1997 masterwork Tellin' Stories, and 17 years later they lost founding member Jon Brookes to brain cancer. His absence hangs over 2015's Modern Nature, the first record the band has made since Brookes' diagnosis in 2010, but the Charlatans aren't the sort to dwell in darkness. Tim Burgess alludes to the drummer's presence on the album's opening "Talking in Tones" but Modern Nature soon settles into a nicely worn soulful groove, a sound that suggests the group gains strength through the therapy of playing music. Happily, this emphasis on soul gives Modern Nature a different character than Who We Touch, the nifty 2010 LP where they dabbled in different sounds while retaining a solid song foundation. Due to its soulful undercurrents, this feels more unified than Who We Touch and also contemplative, a record designed not for the black depth of night but the sepia tones of twilight. Much of this haziness derives from the shimmering production, a sound that's mellow without succumbing to laziness. It's a nice fit for cleverly retrofitted '70s soul grooves like "Tall Grass," but it also suits the handful of songs like "Come Home Baby" and "So Oh" that echo the Charlatans' early Madchester swirl. By incorporating these offhand allusions to the past while being firmly planted in a mature present, Modern Nature showcases a band whose members are aware of where they've been and grateful for what they have. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	11/10/2023
Label:	Bmg
UPC:	4050538949506
Rank:	52992

Album Credits

Performance Credits

The Charlatans   Primary Artist
Big Jim Paterson   Trombone
David Longdon   Vocals
Patrick Savage   Violin
Ruston Pomeroy   Violin
C.J. Allen   Vocals
Gabe Gurnsey   Drums
Dave Tolan   Drums
Sandra Marvin   Vocals (Background)
Dan Oakey   Vocals
Eleanor Southwell   Vocals
Vin Whyte   Vocals
Patrick Roberts   Violin
Stephen Morris   Drums
Sean Read   Saxophone
Peter Salisbury   Drums
Oliver Scott   Vocals
Tim Burgess   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Melanie Marshall   Vocals (Background)
Jon Brookes   Drums
Martin Blunt   Bass
Tony Rogers   Keyboards,Vocals (Background)
Nik Void   Vocals (Background)
Mark Collins   Guitar

Technical Credits

Vin Whyte   Engineer
Mark Collins   Composer,Instrumentation
Timothy Burgess   Composer
Martin Victor Blunt   Composer
Beth McGowen   Engineer
Anthony Paul Rogers   Composer
Eduardo de la Paz Canel   Mixing
The Charlatans   Producer
Craig Silvey   Mixing
Greg Calbi   Mastering
Cat Stevens   Photography
Sean Read   Engineer
Jim Spencer   Engineer,Producer
Tim Burgess   Composer
Jon Brookes   Composer
Martin Blunt   Composer
Tony Rogers   Composer
Andy Ramsay   Engineer
Nik Void   Artwork