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Rating: Times change, damn they change. Acid house, rock n roll, and Europe change their skin, transforming into something new.
It also happens that the keyboardist of the Charlatans Rob Collins dies—right while the new album is being recorded—due to a car crash.
He was a bit crazy; one of those Tarantino-style characters who at the beginning of his career was also arrested for illegal possession of firearms. But he was also the force that launched into orbit the devilish sound that the band emanated.
It’s his Hammond that, after the very big beat introduction of One To Another, pushes the track ever higher with its sneaky progression. One To Another is the essence of rock n roll.
It says to you: "I hope to never see your face again" only to serenade you with "I love to see you smile." The paradox, or rather the flame in the black ocean.
And in this atmosphere of mourning, it happens that Tellin' Stories becomes the biggest commercial success for the English charlatans. They, who (I quote the fitting definition) have been an ideal artistic bridge between Britpop and the Stone Roses and the Madchester Sound; and allow me, between the verve of the Rolling Stones and the venomous Primal Scream their contemporaries and friends.
The energy is easily found here and there especially in the fast How High, but after all, we’re talking about an album that begins with the sound of a wah-wah pedal for guitar with With No Shoes without too many flourishes and mincing words.
If you happen to be among those unfamiliar with the band led by the sprite Tim Burgess, start from here and you’ll have many interesting points to absorb besides good gut-driven rock.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 With No Shoes (04:43)
Stone me
And may you always have no shoes
And I would rather just for you
Be the devil make you mine
And she
I know you say you hardly sleep
I make you cold I make you weak
I'll be the son of everything you hate
And come the day I'll be the king
The king of all and everything
Your saint is coming thru'
You know he's going to feed on you
I've been walkin' with no shoes
Keep your mountain picnic blues
Today I'm baptising you
Stone me
And may you always have no shoes
And I would rather just for you
Be in a taxi driving miles from here
I've been walking with no shoes
Fill my kidneys up with booze
Today I'm killing you
The stars
Who play with laughing say goodnight
I know God is on your side
I'll be the devil
Make you, make you mine
And I could hardly wait to shoot you down
I keep you underneath my crown
A side of beef should see you off to sleep
I've been walking with no shoes
Keep your mountain picnic blues
Today I'm baptising you
02 North Country Boy (04:05)
Hey country boy
Hey country boy
What are you sad about
Everyday you make the sun come out
Even in the pouring rain
I'll come to see you
And I'll save you, I'll save you
What do you care about
And she said "this and that"
What do I mean to you
I'll show you if you want the truth
I can't remember
I don't know how to tell you
But I love you just the same
How many eyes
Must a young girl have
I know she makes you cry
I know she makes you laugh
I'll be good to you if I could I'd make you happy
If I had a son I'd be good to my daddy
Who loves you though I bet it's not the same
As your north country boy
Hey country boy
What are you sad about
I think we'll work it out
Even in the morning rain
He'll come to see you
Hope your feelings are the same
How many ears must a young girl have
I know she hears you cry
I know she hears you laugh
Itchy and Scratchy come runnin' up the alley
If you'll be good I'll be good to your daddy
Who loves you but I bet it's not the same
As your north country boy
What do you care about
And she said "this and that"
What do I mean to you
I'll show you if you want the truth
I threw it all away
I don't know where I put it
But I miss it all the same
How many eyes must a young girl have
I know she makes you cry
I know she makes you laugh
I'll be good to you if I could I'd make you happy
If I had a son I'd be good to my daddy
Who loves you but I bet it's not the same
As your north country boy
03 Tellin' Stories (05:13)
I'll be there in the mornin'
Can't you see I'm tellin' stories
My sweet angel's everlasting true love ways
I'll wait I sow the seed
I set the scene and
I watch the world go by
See me go thru' changes
Revelations to blank pages
I'll find a brighter guide to see me thru'
And leaves fall to the ground
Turn to brown through the day just like you
Live for the day
I see your heart is empty I've got plenty
Joe come ride with me
I see your head is meant to be cemented
It's true
When the stories that you tell come back to haunt you
Come see me in the morning
Can't you see I'm tellin' stories
My sweet angel's everlasting true love ways
While others turn to others
Introduce you and walk right on thru'
It's just about knowing where you come from
Being you and singing Love songs
Can begin to fill your day
I could lead you to the top don't stop
I could lead you there still
Live for the day
I see your heart is empty I've got plenty
Joe come ride with me
I see your head is meant to be cemented
It's true
When the stories that you tell come back to haunt you
05 You're a Big Girl Now (02:50)
All the people gather round
And see the sun set high
Leaders and your disused milk
Will quietly pass you by
What will it be
My melody will set you free
I know you'd rather be with us
Than be with them today
I could be alone with you
While all the pretty people
Watch the years go by
And in your free world
You will sail on
Ooh! you're a big girl now
You're a big girl now
See her through jet pilot eyes
Mysterious and thin
Like a raven breakin' free
From the towers they keep you in
What a scene it is to see
I would love to have you round
I will be alone with you
I will wait out on the streets
Watching wheels go by
And with your freedom
You will sail on
Ooh! You're a big girl now
You're a big girl now
08 How High (03:06)
How high
Oh! I can kiss the sun
Run a minute mile
While you hitch hike
Love shines a light
I'll be a winners cup
And I'm lookin' for the one who cut you up
You're not having me
You know the skies are mean
And I'm hopin' for a way to free you
Love I'm fixing holes
The ones you break up
Come in from your drive
And the hand that rocks you
Cuts you up like
Lyrics of your life
I can't buy
What I've done before
I want to open up another door
I'm going to let you pass
I'm on another path
I want to be the king
While you zig zag
On a holy road
Like Caine from Kung Fu
How high oh! I can kiss the sun
Hang on to your hopes my darlin'
Don't let it slip away
And the hand who holds you
Keeps you warm
And helps you live today
Love shines a light
And it takes and it hurts
I know I'm right
I can bend till I burst
And love shines a light
And repays you with us
Yeah too right
I'm gonna pledge my time till the day I die
How high
Oh! I can kiss the sun
Run a minute mile while you hitch hike
Love shines a light
I'll be a lovin' cup
I'll be down when you're down
I'll be up when you're up
You're not havin'
I know the skies are mean
And I'll be looking for a way to free you love
I'm fixing holes
The ones you break up
Comin' from your drive
And the hand that rocks you
Cuts you up like
Lyrics of your life
Love shines a light
And it takes and it hurts
I know I'm right
I can bend till I burst
And love shines a light
And repays you with us
Yeah too right
I'm gonna pledge my time till the day I die
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