Posted on January 10, 2009 - by Mark Zonda

From ground to tall storeys

How should I lie? “Charlie Big Time“ is a band from Bolton – UK – and I got into their music because 2008 personal mania was Cloudberry Records, as well Trattoria was for 2007. As any of Roque’s productions Charlie’s EP was a blast, and I got so lucky to recieve their first album for a review. The fist proof on long running for the band it’s called “The Tall Storeys” on “Series Two Records“, that is the largest branch of Cloudberry. Can play, will play.

Another lo-fi masterpiece in pure C86 style. Slo-disco regoular drums, guitar’s arpeggios, happy-sad melodies, not much surprises if not the everlasting sensation to open heart and ears to some new istant classic in a brand ol’ indie style, most of them served on hooking catchy titles.

“The Tall Storeys” is structured more like just a collection of fine songs rather than being driven by a particoular concept or theme. THe homey and dreamy guitars of “Something’s happening, Somewhere” opens the way to Charlie’s world, with some unwilling echoes pf “Princess Niko” on the melody (guess they both deeps at the same source, yet there’s also something in their armonized voices). It could be anywhere, it could be anyone’s story, taking place in everyone’ special moment in anybody’s past summer in anybody’s room. But listening to the music Charlie Big Time leaves all up to your memories.

“Co-Star in a Freak Show” is a true masterpiece, starting from the opening. This time I’m thiking ’bout “The April Skies” and if they’d like the song. “Goodnight Irene” shift from its rocky stopped intro seet ballad on an old fashioned love affair. “Second hand dealing” starts with a classic guitar solo line in a very Badlydrownboyesque mood, followed by chours and delays. “Charlie Big Time” it’s the wah-wah driven song-manifesto of the band, and possibly the most impressive and catchy track of the band, in a real Smiths dark style, with sudden tempo changes and some nice bass effects (and a nice guitar riff too). “Lipstick and Bravado” is a sweet lovely ballad, sometimes remanding Astrolab in sounds. Forget about the album and put this one in loop all day long. But save a little time also for “Love is a Franchise” (hell of a title) that – Lord know’s why – reminds me on my wasted youthee days spent watching 80’s tv shows and saving  C64 games.

And talking ’bout the 80’s: I swear I’ll kill the band if they don’t put up a video from old niche’s clips from the era on the genious “Fred Astaire”. “Expecially for all the dancers in the world” the spaker sais, and  I would pay to have Paul McCartney on vocals on that one.

What else to say. “Charlie Big Time” is not here to impress you with inventive tricks or shock you with some experimental screamo nu-emo existential suicidal wired stuff. They’re here to show the World that there’s still someone out there still caring ’bout the mood, and the memories, and the melodies. And you know what? In the end you will damn the band for finding yourself whisteling in front of strangers. But it’s ok. You’re “Sould Glad” by now, and having some “Charlie Big Time”.

Charlie Big Time – “Fred Astaire”

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