Over Rising

The first of two stand-alone EPs released during 1991 by the Charlatans, Over Rising shows the unexpected hitmakers now comfortably settled into their established mood, unafraid to put a few tweaks in here and there. The title track is another tight psych groover, but with piano as noticeable as Hammond, while Baker throws in some twists and turns on guitar more strongly than before. It's not quite as strong as "The Only One I Know," but it's a stronger follow-up than "Then." "Way Up There" is deceptively low-key, Blunt and Brookes underplaying the rhythm but not letting it go, Collins' keyboards sneaking around Burgess' singing, before amping up more halfway through as Baker solos away. "Happen to Die" is a fantastic mini-anthem, capturing part of the "Sproston Green" rush in Burgess' delivery and the band's playing. An extended mix of "Opportunity" serves as the conclusion, its sweetly stoned vibe given even more room to play with light synth bass touches added to the flow.