The Beat Surrender

Well I’ve been lucky enough to be handed a promo copy (not for resale of course and it bloomin well won’t be, I’m hanging onto this) of The Charlatans’ long-awaited debut track from forthcoming album Simpatico.

When I had my first listen of Blackened Blue Eyes I have to say I wasn’t immediately taken, and wondered if there were any better tracks on the album …. but a few hours later, whilst wandering round th’asda, I found myself humming something. “What is it I’m singing?” I wondered to myself …. and yes, it was the chorus to Blackened Blue Eyes. How the heck did that happen after just one listen to a song I wasn’t sure I liked?

It happened because it is, in fact, darn good, darn moreish and darn addictive. And my subconscience knew better than I did. So I popped it on again when I got in and agreed with myself that this is a great intro to what I hope will be a fantastic album.

It’s top (but certainly not overly) heavy on the piano, synth and bass in true early-Charlatans style, and is reminiscent of One To Another in some ways. Burgess belts out the dark lyrics in the perfectly-honed way that he always does and I can feel that old crush coming back, which no doubt will be in full flow come May when I get to see them live.

This is good, ney, great, and although nothing quite beats the dizzy heights of How High for me, nothing quite beats The Charlatans either.

Blackened Blue Eyes is on general sale from 3rd April 2006, a delightful taster to new album Simpatico, which is released on 17th April 2006 and after that? .... THEY’RE ON TOUR …. !!