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 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.
“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