Tellin' Stories

Like Blur, England's Charlatans started out as seemingly slight "Madchester" wannabes: Remember the organ-driven hit "The Only One I Know," which nicked its hook from Deep Purple's "Hush"? But the group has matured over the last seven years, becoming a gutsy rock band with a penchant for psychedelicized blues, not unlike the Rolling Stones of Aftermath and Between the Buttons. Sadly, organist Rob Collins was killed in a car crash in Wales in July, 1996, midway through recording this album. His bandmates drew on their pain to complete a cathartic set of songs such as "With No Shoes" and "How Can You Leave Us," which serve as a fitting tribute. --Jim Derogatis