2. The Charlatans - Up To Our Hips - 1994
This record might be seen as a strange choice as it is hardly one of the most talked about in The Charlatans' fairly extensive back catalog, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it is a superb third album and a worthy inclusion. 'Up To Our Hips' is one of those rare, transitional albums that a band sometimes needs to make, and at the same time, make a decent collection of tunes too. This takes the baggy, semi-shoe-gazey leaning of albums one and two, and mixes it with the more rocking, swaggering brit-rock vibe that was to come on subsequent releases. Upon its release, it was was seen as a product of a band struggling to find their place in the post-Oasis world of British guitar music. 'Definitely Maybe had turned, introverted, floppy fringed young men into urchin-haired, slack jawed idiots, Shed Seven had arrived as the Yorkshire version of the Rolling Stones, Blur had gone from Baggy, arty types to Mod like lad-Rockers over night and Ride were trying their hardest to be the Byrds. The Charlatans just went and did what felt natural and wrote ten great indie-rock songs. Taking only what was necessary from the slightly too wistful 'Between 10th and 11th' and injecting a bit more balls, without trying to be overly macho. The balance was perfectly struck and the Midlands outfit managed, in the process, to write some perfect, summery, guitar led pop tunes like 'Jesus Hairdo' and 'Can't Get Out Of Bed', that filled indie-club dance floors for the rest of the nineties.
The more dreamy, spaced-out elements of the band were still intact on tracks such as 'Come In Number 21', 'Patrol', and the title track. Vocalist, Tim Burgess gives much more convincing performances when singing over songs of this ilk. Late Hammond organist, Rob Collins is a shining light, stamping his identity all over this album, whether its with long, drawn out chords, or little percussive flourishes. As time wears on, this album has gathered many more plaudits than when it was first unveiled. A truly great example of a third album, where you just keep your head down and put a great record out instead of chasing trends. It was the work of a band progressing, slowly and steadily.