Melting Pot (The Charlatans album)

Last updated

Melting Pot
Meltingpotcharliescover.jpg
Greatest hits album by
Released23 February 1998
Recorded1990–1997
Genre Alternative rock, Madchester
Length74:15
Label Beggars Banquet
Producer Chris Nagle, David Allen, Flood, Steve Hillage, Dave Charles, The Charlatans
The Charlatans chronology
Tellin' Stories
(1997)
Melting Pot
(1998)
Us and Us Only
(1999)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [1]
Pitchfork 8.2/10 [2]
Select 4/5 [3]

Melting Pot is a greatest hits album by the British alternative rock band The Charlatans (known in the United States as The Charlatans UK). Featuring tracks from their time on Beggars Banquet Records between 1990 and 1997, the album was released on 23 February 1998. The cover features a picture of The Weaverdale cafe (subsequently renamed The Melting Pot, but closed in November 2016, and serving now as a BBQ takeaway [4] ) in Northwich, the site of the group's first meeting after signing to Beggars in 1990. The song "Opportunity Three" is a remix by Flood of the song "Opportunity" from the Some Friendly album; the remix otherwise appeared only on the Over Rising EP.

Contents

The album was re-released on 20 May 2002 with a slipcase to match the artwork of B-sides compilation Songs from the Other Side. No changes were made to the album artwork or track listing.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Blunt, Brookes, Burgess, M. Collins, R. Collins unless otherwise stated.

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Only One I Know"Baker, Blunt, Brookes, Burgess, R. Collins4:00
2."Then" 4:14
3."Opportunity Three" (from Over Rising EP)Blunt, Brookes, Burgess7:28
4."Over Rising" (from Over Rising EP)Baker, Blunt, Brookes, Burgess, R. Collins3:40
5."Sproston Green" (US version) (1991 non-album single and B-side to "Weirdo")Baker, Blunt, Brookes, Burgess, R. Collins4:20
6."Weirdo"Blunt, Brookes, Burgess, R. Collins3:45
7."Theme from the Wish" (B-Side of "Weirdo")Blunt, Brookes, Burgess, M. Collins, R. Collins3:33
8."Patrol" (The Chemical Brothers mix) (B-Side of "Jesus Hairdo") 7:00
9."Can't Get Out of Bed" 3:12
10."I Never Want an Easy Life If Me and He Were Ever to Get There" 4:13
11."Jesus Hairdo" 3:13
12."Crashin' In" 5:02
13."Just Lookin'" 3:51
14."Here Comes a Soul Saver" 3:25
15."Just When You're Thinkin' Things Over" 4:55
16."One to Another" 4:30
17."North Country Boy" 4:03

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [8] Platinum300,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<i>Fugazi</i> (album) 1984 studio album by Marillion

Fugazi is the second studio album by the British neo-progressive rock band Marillion, released in 1984. Produced by Nick Tauber, it was recorded between November 1983 and February 1984 at various studios and was the first to feature drummer Ian Mosley, following the dismissal of the band's original drummer Mick Pointer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Charlatans (English band)</span> English alternative rock band

The Charlatans are an English rock band formed in West Midlands, England in 1988. The current line-up comprises lead vocalist Tim Burgess, guitarist Mark Collins, bassist Martin Blunt and keyboardist Tony Rogers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tindersticks</span> English band

Tindersticks are an English alternative rock band formed in Nottingham in 1991. They released six albums before singer Stuart A. Staples embarked on a solo career. The band reunited briefly in 2006 and more permanently the following year. The band recorded several film soundtracks, and have a long-standing relationship collaborating with French director Claire Denis.

<i>Beggars Banquet</i> 1968 studio album by The Rolling Stones

Beggars Banquet is the 7th British and 9th American studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released on 6 December 1968 by Decca Records in the United Kingdom and London Records in the United States. It was the first Rolling Stones album produced by Jimmy Miller, whose production work formed a key aspect of the group's sound throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Burgess (musician)</span> Musical artist

Timothy Allan Burgess is an English musician, singer-songwriter and record label owner, best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band the Charlatans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Lurkers</span>

The Lurkers are a British punk rock band from Uxbridge, West London. They are notable for being the first group ever on Beggars Banquet Records for whom they released two albums, the first of which charted in the UK Albums Chart, while five singles also charted in the UK Singles Chart.

<i>Us and Us Only</i> 1999 studio album by the Charlatans

Us and Us Only is the sixth album by British rock band the Charlatans, released by Universal on 18 October 1999. After touring for their fifth studio album Tellin' Stories wrapped up by the end of 1997, they played minimal shows throughout 1998 and planned its follow-up. They built their own recording studio, aiming to start recording by early 1999; sessions eventually took place in March and April 1999 with the band self-producing. Us and Us Only is a country rock, folk and roots rock album that strayed from the band's British roots in lieu of American-focused music.

<i>Some Friendly</i> 1990 studio album by the Charlatans

Some Friendly is the debut studio album of British rock band The Charlatans that was released on 8 October 1990 through Beggars Banquet Records imprint Situation Two. After forming in 1988, the band went through line-up changes before settling on vocalist Tim Burgess, guitarist John Baker, bassist Martin Blunt, keyboardist Rob Collins and drummer Jon Brookes. The band wrote material at a prolific rate and released their debut single "Indian Rope" in early 1990. Soon afterwards, they signed to Beggars Banquet and began recording their debut album. Between March and August 1990, sessions took place with producer Chris Nagle at Strawberry Studios in Stockport and The Windings in Wrexham. Some Friendly is considered an acid-pop, baggy and dance-pop album that draws influence from The Beetles' psychedelic period.

<i>Between 10th and 11th</i> 1992 studio album by the Charlatans

Between 10th and 11th is the second studio album by British rock band the Charlatans, released on 23 March 1992 through Situation Two, a subsidiary of Beggars Banquet Records. Shortly after the release of their debut studio album Some Friendly (1990), the band started writing new material. After some writing sessions in Birmingham and a tour of the United Kingdom, guitarist John Baker left the band. Mark Collins of Candlestick Park was drafted in; bassist Martin Blunt went through a series of personal issues that led to hospitalization in September 1991. Following this, they began recording their next album at Rockfield Studios in Rockfield, Monmouthshire, Wales.

<i>Tellin Stories</i> 1997 studio album by the Charlatans

Tellin' Stories is the fifth album by the British rock band the Charlatans, released on 21 April 1997 through Beggars Banquet Records. After wrapping up touring in support of their 1995 self-titled fourth album in early 1996, vocalist Tim Burgess and guitarist Mark Collins went to a cottage near lake Windermere to write material. Shortly after this, they did a test recording session at Rockfield in Rockfield, Monmouthshire, before main sessions were underway from Easter 1996 at the nearby Monnow Valley Studio with the band, engineer Dave Charles and engineer Ric Peet acting as producers. Partway through recording, keyboardist Rob Collins was involved in a fatal car crash. The band drafted in Martin Duffy of Primal Scream to help finish it, concluding in early 1997. Tellin' Stories is a Britpop, hip hop soul and rock album that had ben compared to the work of Patti Smith and Neil Young.

<i>The Charlatans</i> (1995 album) 1995 studio album by the Charlatans

The Charlatans is the fourth album by the British rock band the Charlatans, released on 28 August 1995 through Beggars Banquet Records. Following a holiday, vocalist Tim Burgess and guitarist Mark Collins wrote material for their next album at Burgess' place in Chalk Farm. The band then absconded to Monnow Valley Studio in Rockfield, Monmouthshire, Wales with producer Steve Hillage. After preparing several mixes of the album, none of which they liked, Hillage was fired and engineer Dave Charles was brought in. Further recording was then done at the nearby Rockfield Studios.

<i>Up to Our Hips</i> 1994 studio album by the Charlatans

Up to Our Hips is the third studio album by British rock band the Charlatans, released on 21 March 1994 through Beggars Banquet Records. They released their second studio album Between 10th and 11th in early 1992; by the year's end, they were working on material for its follow-up. Keyboardist Rob Collins was arrested for participating in an attempted armed robbery. After being bailed, the band continued writing, splitting into pairs or working alone on songs.

<i>Simpatico</i> (The Charlatans album) 2006 studio album by The Charlatans

Simpatico is the ninth album by British band The Charlatans, released on 17 April 2006 everywhere but the U.S., where it was released on 2 May 2006. The album incorporates hints of dub and reggae into the band's traditional sound and debuted at #10 on the UK album chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Alive (Love and Rockets song)</span> 1989 single by Love and Rockets

"So Alive" is a song by British alternative rock band Love and Rockets, released in 1989 as the second single from their self-titled fourth album. The song reached No. 1 in Canada and charted within the top 30 in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In the US, it topped the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for five weeks and was ranked No. 1 on that listing's year-end chart for 1989. The song's music video was directed by Howard Greenhalgh and produced by Pamela James.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banquet (song)</span> 2004 song by Bloc Party

"Banquet" is a song from British band Bloc Party's debut album Silent Alarm. Originally released on a double A-side single along with "Staying Fat" in May 2004 by Moshi Moshi Records, it was re-released as a regular single in the United Kingdom by Wichita Recordings on 25 April 2005. It was their first single to chart on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks where it came in at number 34, and is often credited as their breakthrough single in North America. It was also featured in the song "Bloc Party" on the Fort Minor Mixtape: We Major. It was ranked No. 31 in NME's top 100 tracks of the decade, and was number 54 in Triple J's Hottest 100 of all time. It peaked at No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2011, NME placed it at number 20 on its list "150 Best Tracks of the Past 15 Years". The song was featured in the 2018/19 video game Life Is Strange 2.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">She Sells Sanctuary</span> 1985 single by the Cult

"She Sells Sanctuary" is a song by British rock band the Cult. It is from their second studio album, Love (1985), and was released as a single on 13 May 1985, peaking at number 15 on the UK Singles Chart in July of the same year. In July 2020, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) awarded the song a gold certification for sales and streams of over 400,000. In January 1993, the song was re-released as "Sanctuary MCMXCIII" and experienced chart success once more, matching its original peak on the UK Singles Chart and entering the top 10 in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I.O.U. (Freeez song)</span> 1983 single by Freeez

"I.O.U." is a song from 1983 by British musical group Freeez, their most successful hit. The song was written and produced by Arthur Baker and remixed by Jellybean Benitez and Arthur Baker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Only One I Know</span> 1990 single by The Charlatans

"The Only One I Know" is the second single by English rock band the Charlatans. It was their first top-10 hit, reaching No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart. In the UK it was the highest-charting single from the Some Friendly album. Its best showing in the US was on the Modern Rock Chart, where it reached No. 5 in September 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">One to Another</span> 1996 single by the Charlatans

"One to Another" is a song by British alternative rock band the Charlatans. It was the first single from their fifth album, Tellin' Stories (1997), and their first single following the death of the band's keyboardist, Rob Collins. The single remains their highest-charting song in the UK, reaching number three on the UK Singles Chart. "One to Another" features drum loops provided by Tom Rowlands of the Chemical Brothers. The song serves as the theme song to the UK channel E4 show My Mad Fat Diary.

"Over Rising" is the fourth single by the English alternative rock band the Charlatans, released on 25 February 1991. It followed "The Only One I Know" and "Then" into the UK Singles Chart top 20, reaching number 15, and peaked at number seven in Ireland, where it remains the group's only top-10 hit.

References

  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Review: Melting Pot – The Charlatans UK". AllMusic . Retrieved 30 July 2009.
  2. Pitchfork Media review
  3. Harris, John. "Review: The Charlatans – Melting Pot, Beggars Banquet". Select . EMAP Metro (March 1998): 83.
  4. http://www.northwichguardian.co.uk/news/14843510.Iconic_caf___pictured_in_Charlatans__39__Melting_Pot_album_serves_up_last_meal/ Northwich Guardian
  5. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  6. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  7. "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1998". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  8. "British album certifications – Charlatans – Melting Pot". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 19 January 2021.