Simpatico

Simpatico is the ninth studio album by British rock band the Charlatans, released on 17 April 2006 through Creole and Sanctuary Records. After signing to the latter label in early 2005, frontman Tim Burgess and guitarist Mark Collins went to Palm Springs, California to write new material. With Jim Lowe and the band producing, recording was held at Hook End Manor in Oxfordshire, with overdubs later being down at Townhouse Studios in London. Simpatico is a dub reggae and rock album that drew comparison to the work of the Dead 60s, Hard-Fi and UB40. Bassist Martin Blunt and Burgess attributed the sound shift to them listening to Ken Boothe, Gregory Isaacs and Studio One. Simpatico received mixed reviews from music critics, who were split on the overall songwriting, while others lambasted the reggae direction. It peaked at number five in Scotland, number ten in the United Kingdom, and number 83 in Ireland. "Blackened Blue Eyes" reached the top 30 in Scotland and the UK, while "NYC (There's No Need to Stop)" charted outside the top 50 in the UK. Before the album was released, the Charlatans performed at the South by Southwest music conference in Austin, Texas, and "Blackened Blue Eyes" was released as its lead single in April 2006. Burgess, who had become accustomed to alcohol and drugs, went through a detox programme before promotion commenced in earnest. They toured across the United States until June 2006; "NYC (There's No Need to Stop)" was released as the album's second single the following month. Background and recording The Charlatans released their eighth studio album Up at the Lake in May 2004. It peaked at number 13 on the UK Albums Chart, while two of its singles – "Up at the Lake" and "Try Again Today" – charted within the top 30 of the UK Singles Chart. They promoted it with two tours of the UK; On 4 January 2005, new song "Alles Klar" was posted on the band's website. Two days later, it was announced that the band had signed to Sanctuary Records. Bassist Martin Blunt said the band consumed various artists while on their touring bus while promoting Up at the Lake. He mentioned that Sanctuary had a "whole plethora of old dub and reggae stuff", which would be on the members' minds when going into their next album. In April 2005, when promoting the United States release of his solo album I Believe (2003), vocalist Tim Burgess said he was in the process of working on material for the band's next studio album.