Some Friendly (Expanded Edition) [Remastered]

This expanded edition of the Charlatans U.K. debut album, 1990’s Some Friendly (in its original U.K. version) gives an excellent overview of the young band’s courageous sound and quick development. Sometimes lumped in with the Madchester scene and other times with a vague retro alliance, the Charlatans held their own with sounds that smoothed over the punk aggression of “You’re Not Very Well” with keyboards that ranged from psychedelic to Deep Purple’s hardest rock. “Polar Bear” sends the band onto the dance floor with the sense that a bad trip is holding down the potential good vibes that drives the funereal sounds of “Opportunity.” “Believe You Me” takes the band further down the psychedelic turnpike with a funky undercoating, but it’s the tight rhythmic kick of “Sproston Green” that shows the band could clean up in Faces territory. The Expanded Edition’s extra tracks make for even more rewarding listening. “The Only One I Know” (in regular and 12” mix form), an alternate take and a 7” version of “Then” and other remixes and instrumentals make this the perfect chance to analyze the band’s sound and their evolution into a great one.