You Cross My Path
by The Charlatans UK
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. musicOMH.com
    60
    So Tim Burgess still has attitude, the kind we saw on One To Another but one that doesn't surface all that often in Charlatans songs.
  2. Pitchfork
    60
    It's difficult to determine whether You Cross My Path is a victim of the times or its own merits; it's the sort of thing that's so competent that it's more likely to be defined by its failures than its success.
  3. Q Magazine
    60
    There's a welcome freshness here. [June 2008, p.137]
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  5. Uncut
    60
    It's a concept album about vengeance and contempt, and reminds that they're one of the only UK bands of their era still worth following. [June 2008, p.86]
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  6. Dot Music
    50
    The Charlatans have cottoned on to the electro-is-back wave, but not in a cool, Spank Rock or New Young Pony Club sense, but a magpie parody, a homage.
  7. Drowned In Sound
    50
    The biggest problem with You Cross My Path isn’t so much the music though; sure it’s not an invigorating brew, but the blend of swirling Hammond and ponderous bass and drums stays on the right side of tepid most of the time.
  8. NOW Magazine
    40
    The five-piece’s attempts at New Order-style electronica (after previously aping Dylan, Stones, Britpop, then reggae on 2006’s Simpatico) add a new dimension but can’t mask the lukewarm songwriting here.

User Reviews

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User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 9 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. Joris
    Aug 11, 2008
    9
    After their disappointing last effort it's a fresh return to form for the pioneers of britpop. Charlatan's classic dancy shoegaze After their disappointing last effort it's a fresh return to form for the pioneers of britpop. Charlatan's classic dancy shoegaze madchestersound is back. It's the '90s all over again without ever sounding outdated here... a very strong album featuring some of their catchiest and best tunes tunes to date: Mis-takes, The Misbegotten (although it has New Order written all over it) as well as epicrockers You Cross My Path and Bad Days. Only opener Oh Vanity! and My Name is Despair are a bit of a let down and keep this cd from being perfect. Anyway, this one's almost up there with Us and Only Us, Wonderland and Between 10th and 11th! A shame they don't get any airplay anymore cause this one is very highly recommended.… Full Review »
  2. archisecte
    Aug 3, 2008
    9
    Once a big fan of the band and amazed to learn that they were still kicking around after 18 years, I decided to give "You Cross My Path" a Once a big fan of the band and amazed to learn that they were still kicking around after 18 years, I decided to give "You Cross My Path" a listen. I was surprisingly delighted by what I heard. Unlike several of their Baggy/Shoegazer/Brit Pop contemporaries who have either fell off the face of the planet or have lost their edge with middle-age, releasing unremarkable records that only the die hard fans still buy, "You Cross Your Path" proves that the Charlies are still relevant in 2008. The sound is characteristically Charlatans, Hammond organ and all, but gone are the endless 70s jams that muddied some of their mid-nineties work. In their place is absolutely addictive pop/rock melody track after track. Tim Burgess's vocal has gained an edge on outings like "Acid in the Tea" and the title track without losing that boy next door quality that we indie kids of the early nineties swooned over. The live bonus tracks are fairly straightforward renditions but reveal an energy reminiscent of those vital early nineties gigs.… Full Review »
  3. CharlieQ.
    Jul 17, 2008
    8
    Surprisingly strong, fresh-sounding, aggressive and melodic Brit-pop with an edge. One of the best albums of their career.
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