Up at the Lake

Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox album Up at the Lake is the eighth studio album by the British alternative rock band The Charlatans, released on 17 May 2004 through Universal and Island Records Group. As promotion wrapped up for their seventh album, Wonderland (2001), Universal wanted them to follow it up with another one quickly. However, frontman Tim Burgess began working on his debut solo album in late 2002. At the end of the year, the band reconvened to write songs; by March 2003, they relocated to their own studio, Big Mushroom, in Cheshire, Greater Manchester, with them and James Spencer serving as producers. Recording halted in May 2003 to allow for Burgess to finish his album, I Believe (2003); sessions would resume by the end of the year and finish in February 2004. Up at the Lake is a pop rock album that pursues the country rock direction that they had first explored on their sixth album, Tellin' Stories (1997).

Up at the Lake received generally favourable reviews from music critics, many of whom praised the songwriting. It peaked at number 6 in Scotland, number 13 in the United Kingdom, and number 32 in Ireland, being certified silver in the UK 11 days after its release. Both "Up at the Lake" and "Try Again Today" reached the top 30 on the Scottish and UK Singles Charts. "Up at the Lake" was released as the album's lead single in May 2004, which was promoted with a tour of the UK and appearances at the Isle of Wight and T in the Park festivals until the following month. "Try Again Today" was released as the second single from the album in July 2004; afterwards, the Charlatans performed at the V Festival. In December 2004, the band embarked on another tour of the UK, and "Loving You Is Easy" was released as a radio-only promotional single. A video album from that tour was released in early 2005 under the title Live at Last Brixton Academy.

Background and development

The Charlatans released their seventh studio album, Wonderland, in September 2001 through Universal Records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As it was released in the United States on 11 September, it would perform poorly commercially in that territory.<ref name=CMGreview/> In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number two in the UK Albums Chart, while its two singles, "Love Is the Key" and "A Man Needs to Be Told", charted within the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart.<ref name=UKhistory>Template:Cite web</ref> They promoted it with two tours in the UK and one in the US, along with appearances at the Coachella, Isle of Wight, and Glastonbury Festivals.<ref>Tours in support of Wonderland:

First UK tour: Template:Cite web
Second UK tour: Template:Cite web
US tour: Template:Cite web
Coachella: Template:Cite web
Isle of Wight: Template:Cite web
Glastonbury: Template:Cite web

</ref> After supporting Stereophonics at Slane Castle in Dublin, Ireland, in August 2002, the Charlatans played three club shows to end the month.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Universal wanted a follow-up quickly, threatening the band with dropping them from the roster if they did not work on one; frontman Tim Burgess was not happy with the situation.<ref name=FloodLookin/> He wanted to continue writing, but the rest of the band members wanted a break.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In October 2002, Dotmusic reported that Burgess was recording a solo album with Linus of Hollywood.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A few days later, the band denied rumours that they would be splitting up but mentioned that the other members worked with different artists: drummer Jon Brookes with Preacher Man and keyboardist Tony Rogers with Moco.<ref name=NMElookin/> In the same announcement, they mentioned that they would start demoing material for their next album in early 2003, which they were aiming to release later that year.<ref name=NMElookin>Template:Cite web</ref> In December 2002, the band started writing new songs;<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> guitarist Mark Collins subsequently visited Burgess in February 2003 at his home in Los Angeles, California, where the pair worked for three weeks, finishing four tracks in the process.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The two of them would then spend some time in a cottage in Bodmin Moor, Cornwall.<ref name=RTEreview/> As the pair left behind a CD of the material they were working on, the material made it out to the public as a bootleg.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Recording

In March 2003, the band relocated to their own studio,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Mushroom, in Cheshire, Greater Manchester, with them and engineer James Spencer serving as producers.<ref name=UATLsleeve/> Burgess said that unlike Wonderland, they had no firm idea of what musical direction they wanted to take for Up at the Lake when they got into the studio.<ref name=PBMinterview>Template:Cite web</ref> By May 2003, they had finished seven songs but had to pause recording as Burgess shifted focus to his solo debut, I Believe (2003).<ref name=NMEKey/> Bassist Martin Blunt said the plan was for Burgess to finish promoting his album before they would return to work on their album.<ref name=NMEKey>Template:Cite web</ref> While this was occurring, the band held a warm-up show in London prior to their appearances at the Move and T in the Park festivals in July 2003.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At the former festival, the band premiered a new track, "Feel the Pressure".<ref name=BBCreview/>

Collins, meanwhile, worked with Adam Masterson, marking his first producer role outside of the band; Rogers performed on one of his tracks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The band regrouped at Big Mushroom in December 2003, after the conclusion of Burgess' solo tour of the UK. They expected to have an album's worth of tracks finished by early 2004,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> eventually ending in February 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Linus of Hollywood recorded Burgess' vocals for "Try Again Today"; Mike Cave did additional engineering on it,<ref name=UATLsleeve/> as Blunt thought the song sounded a bit overproduced.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> The songs were mixed by Spencer, Ken Nelson, and the Chemical Brothers at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool and Mayfair and Miloco Studios in London, before the album was mastered by Frank Arkwright at Townhouse Studios, also in London. Johnny Marr helped compile the final track listing.<ref name=UATLsleeve/>

Composition and lyrics

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Musically, Up at the Lake is a pop rock album<ref name=PLreview/> that continues the country rock direction that the band initially explored on their sixth album, Tellin' Stories (1997). Cokemachineglow writer David M. Goldstein explained that Up at the Lake had the "same hazy, guitar-centered production, and an emphasis on la-di-da country-rockers evoking the [Rolling] Stones at their late '60s/early '70s peak" as Tellin' Stories.<ref name=CMGreview/> AllMusic reviewer Jason Damas wrote that the "classic-rock coloring that dominated discs" such as the band's self-titled (1995) and Tellin' Stories albums return, in addition to "brief flirtations with classic folk".<ref name=AMreview/> The band's trademark Hammond organ sound also returned,<ref name=CMGreview/> though in a reduced presence, as Collins' guitarwork was placed higher in the mix.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Burgess largely dropped the falsetto vocal styling that he used on the majority of Wonderland,<ref name=CMGreview/> though it was used on "Up at the Lake".<ref name=GIITTVreview/> According to Burgess, the album's title is taken from a never-made David Lynch film, and "I thought we could at least provide the soundtrack to this unmade film".<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref>

The opening track, "Up at the Lake", is a British traditional rock song;<ref name=AMreview/> its first line is adapted from "Loose Fit" (1990) by former contemporaries Happy Mondays.<ref name=BBCreview>Template:Cite web</ref> The indie disco song "Feel the Pressure"<ref name=PLreview/> evokes the Tellin' Stories track "One to Another".<ref name=CMGreview/> Burgess said its "full horror movie" intro section was made by the collaborators, the Chemical Brothers.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> For the rest of the track, Collins came up with music that was more akin to the rest of the album until Blunt said the Chemical Brothers "did their thing to it."<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> Burgess had Brookes play a drum pattern akin to the sound of Adam and the Ants and Bow Wow Wow.<ref name=PBMinterview/> The opening portion of the following track, "As I Watch You in Disbelief", is taken from "[["Heroes" (David Bowie song)|Template:-'HeroesTemplate:'-]]" (1977) by David Bowie.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Burgess said it detailed "being broken"<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> and was influenced by "When I Paint My Masterpiece" (1971) by Bob Dylan.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> "Cry Yourself to Sleep" retreads the American country and folk direction that Burgess tackled on I Believe.<ref name=GIITTVreview/> It was written by Rogers, though Burgess said he potentially contributed a few lyrics to it.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> Rogers described it as a melancholic song about his daughters moving to Australia.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> Ged Lynch, formerly of Black Grape, contributed percussion to the track.<ref name=UATLsleeve/>

"Bona Fide Treasure" is done in the style of Electric Light Orchestra, while "High Up Your Tree" was compared to Ween, specifically on their album White Pepper (2000).<ref name=Independentreview/> Discussing the latter, Burgess found it difficult to "keep the band and my marriage together".<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> "Blue for You" is a psychedelic blues track<ref name=PLreview/> that was written about their former, deceased keyboardist, Rob Collins.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> "I'll Sing a Hymn (You Came to Me)", another one in the vein of Burgess' solo album,<ref name=GIITTVreview/> apes the sound of Bob Dylan circa New Morning (1970).<ref name=Uncutreview/> Burgess said he tried emulating "Please Don't Leave Me Lonely" (1971) by King Floyd, though he admitted it was unsuccessful.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> "Loving You Is Easy" is a soul ballad that recalled the work of Minnie Riperton,<ref name=CMGreview/> who had a song with the same name.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> Rogers sings lead vocals on the track, though he did not wish to;<ref name=FloodLookin>Template:Cite web</ref> he wished for the song to be dropped entirely, but the rest of the band wanted it on the album.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> "Try Again Today" is a Beatlesque ballad,<ref name=PLreview/> co-written by Linus of Hollywood, who helped Burgess on I Believe.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> Burgess wanted to talk about "when things are not going that well [...] having another go" and not having high expectations.<ref>Burgess 2019, p. 143</ref> He said he was unhappy when he composed the lyrics to "Apples and Oranges".<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref> The album concludes with "Dead Love", which talks about communication with the band breaking down and Burgess feeling alone while promoting I Believe.<ref>Burgess 2019, p. 137</ref> It features cello and viola from Ian Bracken and Heather Wallington, respectively,<ref name=UATLsleeve/> of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Release

American label MCA Records was absorbed by Universal Music Group (UMG) subsidiary Geffen Records in mid-2003, which resulted in its staff and roster being moved to Geffen.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As a result, the band was dropped from the roster.<ref name=CMGreview/> On 22 March 2004, Up at the Lake was announced for release in two months' time; alongside this, the track listing was posted online.<ref name=NMEannounce>Template:Cite web</ref> The band debuted material from the album at two one-off shows in London in early May 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Initially planned for 3 May 2004,<ref name=NMEannounce/> "Up at the Lake" was released as the album's lead single on 10 May 2004.<ref name=NMEhear/> The CD version included "For Where There Is Love, There Will Always Be Miracles",<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> while the seven-inch vinyl edition featured "I'll Sing A Hymn (You Came to Me)" as the B-side.<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> After being available to stream on the band's website two and a half weeks ahead of schedule,<ref name=NMEhear>Template:Cite web</ref> Up at the Lake was released on 17 May 2004.<ref name=NMEannounce/> Its artwork was taken at Pickmere Lake in Cheshire, outside of Burgess' home town of Northwich.<ref>Template:Cite tweet</ref>

In May and June 2004, the band embarked on a tour of the UK,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> leading up to appearances at the Isle of Wight,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> T in the Park,<ref name=NMEshock/> and Fleadh festivals.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additional shows were added, with two shows apiece in Glasgow and Manchester.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "Try Again Today" was released as the album's second single on 26 July 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The CD edition featured "M.I.A.", "Give Me a Reason", and the music video for "Try Again Today",<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> while the DVD version included videos of "Up at the Lake" and footage from Keele University, along with audio of "Try Again Today".<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> while the seven-inch vinyl edition featured "I'll Sing A Hymn (You Came to Me)" as the B-side. In August 2004, the band performed at the V Festival.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They ended the year with a short tour of the UK in December 2004;<ref name=NMEshock>Template:Cite web</ref> extra shows were added twice, increasing it to an eight-date tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "Loving You Is Easy" was released as a radio-only promotional single on 20 December 2004.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In April 2005, the band's second video album, Live at Last Brixton Academy, was released, consisting of footage from the December 2004 tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Up at the Lake was re-pressed on vinyl in 2018 through UMC, Universal's catalogue label.<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> "Up at the Lake" and "Try Again Today" were featured on the band's third compilation album, Forever: The Singles (2006),<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> while four demos from the sessions were included on the special edition version of it.<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> "High Up Your Tree" and "Blue for You" appeared on their fourth compilation album, Collection (2007).<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref> "Up at the Lake" was included on their fifth compilation album, A Head Full of Ideas (2021).<ref>Template:Cite AV media notes</ref>

Reception

Template:Album ratings Up at the Lake was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 72, based on 10 reviews.<ref name=Metacritic/>

Reviewers praised the songwriting. Damas felt that there was a "defined sense that this is the beginning of a new chapter for the band, and that Up at the Lake is their first work as 'mature' artists." He added that it was a "relaxed and assured record, the work of craftsmen who know how to produce something solid and consistent."<ref name=AMreview/> Goldstein said it was "surprisingly their strongest effort" since Tellin' Stories, agreeing with Damas that they "actually sound[ed] relaxed," making it the type of album that the band could compose in their sleep.<ref name=CMGreview/> The Independent critic Andy Gill was also impressed, saying that the "relatively simple and direct Up at the Lake is a surprise", adding that it was the "most focused, coherent and unmediated that the band have sounded in years."<ref name=Independentreview>Template:Cite web</ref> Steve McQueen of Gigwise called it "soothingly British, with authentic flavourings throughout. Like an English summer's day – you cannot take this for granted."<ref name=GWreview/> Chris Nye Browne of Yahoo! Launch said that "although, essentially, there's nothing exceptional here, as an album 'Up At The Lake' flows seamlessly."<ref name=YLreview/>

Other critics felt that it was uninspiring. Entertainment.ieTemplate:'s Andrew Lynch wrote that "while it doesn't break any new ground, it's just as enjoyable" as their past releases.<ref name=Entertainmentreview/> The staff at Uncut said it was "hardly the album-length E-rush of career peak Tellin' Stories (1997),"<ref name=Uncutreview/> while Stephen Ackroyd of This Is Fake DIY said the band "[c]ould do worse, [or] could do a lot better."<ref name=DIYreview/> RTÉ.ie writer Seamus Leonard said "unfortunately the songs are pretty inconsistent", with "Cry Yourself to Sleep" and "I'll Sing a Hymn (You Came to Me)" being "well worth listening to, but [...] [t]he rest are reasonable but unremarkable."<ref name=RTEreview>Template:Cite web</ref> God Is in the TVTemplate:'s Alex Worsnip, meanwhile, thought they had "run their course at this stage, although they themselves seem positive about their direction. However, for the rest of us, 'Up At The Lake' will be both familiar and uninspiring".<ref name=GIITTVreview/> Playlouder writer Richard Smirke said the album "plays more like Burgess & Co hijacking Stars in Their Eyes, rather than a band trying to sound fresh or relevant in their fifteenth year. Unfortunately, as artistically redundant as that concept sounds, this 45-minute pop-rock opus doesn't fare much better."<ref name=PLreview/>

Up at the Lake peaked at number 13 in the UK;<ref name=UKchart/> it reached number 6 in Scotland<ref name=Scochart/> and number 32 in Ireland.<ref name=Irechart/> It was certified silver in the UK by the British Phonographic Industry 11 days after its release.<ref name=UKcert/> "Up at the Lake" charted at number 20 in Scotland<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and number 23 in the UK.<ref name=UKhistory/> "Try Again Today" charted at number 24 in Scotland<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the UK.<ref name=UKhistory/>

Track listing

All songs by Martin Blunt, Jon Brookes, Tim Burgess, Mark Collins, and Tony Rogers, except "Try Again Today" by the band and Linus of Hollywood.<ref name=UATLsleeve/> "I'll Sing a Hymn (You Came to Me)" is not included on all versions.

"Up at the Lake" – 3:45
"Feel the Pressure" – 3:35
"As I Watch You in Disbelief" – 3:48
"Cry Yourself to Sleep" – 4:25
"Bona Fide Treasure" – 3:24
"High Up Your Tree" – 4:01
"Blue for You" – 3:56
"I'll Sing a Hymn (You Came to Me)" – 2:43
"Loving You Is Easy" – 5:00
"Try Again Today" – 3:42
"Apples and Oranges" – 4:20
"Dead Love" – 2:21