Album Review: The Charlatans -- Modern Nature

Not even losing yet another key member (drummer Jon Brookes, to brain cancer) can keep The Charlatans down.

The melting pot of Charlies trademarks – Tim Burgess’ stoned, nasal vocals; Tony Rogers’ Hammond organ-ics; Northern English blue-eyed soul – coagulate in upbeat reflection for their 12th album. The gospel-tinged Come Home Baby, So Oh and the itchy skiffle of Emilie should soundtrack summer coastline drives. Best of all is Let The Good Times Be Never Ending, a seven-minute jubilation that refuses to let tragedy get the better of making Modern Nature such a soulful repast of nourishing energies.