We at The Quietus are thrilled to announce that our record label’s next stop on the journey of putting out vinyl by people whose music pleases our ears will come from none other than… THE CHARLATANS! On Monday 29 September we’re going to be releasing a limited edition 7" single of ‘Talking In Tones’, the first track from the band’s as-yet-untitled 12th album, which has just been finished at the band’s Big Mushroom studios. As you can hear via the Soundcloud below, ‘Talking In Tones’ is strange, haunting pop incarnate, with popping, whistling rhythms inspired by William Onyeabor and a massive, typically Charlatans chorus that comes with excellent organ work from Mr Tony Rogers. Yet it all disguises a rather claustrophobic, creeping vibe. What’s more, tQPC artists Grumbling Fur have done a dubbed-out cone-friendly remix (to be revealed in due course) called ‘Tonal Nargual (Fur Star Liner Aquatic Ape Mix)’. The ‘Fur’s Daniel O’Sullivan and Alexander Tucker also designed a side each of the 7" artwork, which can be seen in all its glory below. Says The Quietus’ Luke Turner: "Back in the 1990s as a teenager, I remember buying Tellin’ Stories and Suede’s Dog Man Star from Woolworths in Falmouth during a family holiday. Both were massive, influential records for me and I had Charlatans posters on my bedroom wall… they were always the band you went to after realising Oasis had gone shite – they had better tunes, better attitude, better hair. We loved ‘Talking In Tones’ the moment we heard it and are way more than chuffed that Tim, Mark, Tony and Martin have asked us to put it out, especially with the added Furmination on the B-side and artwork".
Tim Burgess says that the phrase "talking in tones" came to him outside Barclay’s bank while on a wander down Upper Street in London, and tells us that the song is about "telepathy in relationships". He adds, "I always thought ‘Talking In Tones’ should be the first track that people should hear." The track, and the forthcoming album comes after a brutally difficult year for The Charlatans following the death from brain cancer of their old friend and drummer Jon Brookes last year. Rogers says that they were determined to carry on to honour Brookes’ memory: "Jon was adamant that there was going to be another Charlatans record, and you have to put that into your own thoughts." Drums on ‘Talking In Tones’ are played by Pete Salisbury of The Verve, while also on the album are Stephen Morris of New Order and Gabe Gurnsey of our old favourites Factory Floor. ‘Talking In Tones’ is The Quietus Phonographic Corporation’s third release following East India Youth’s debut HOSTEL EP and Grumbling Fur’s album, Preternaturals. There’s also going to be a single launch do at the Highbury Garage on Monday, October 20, featuring Grumbling Fur in support. Pre-order the limited edition ‘Talking In Tones’ 7" from Norman Records here or Rough Trade here.
