The Charlatans have a good claim to being the unluckiest band in the world, having endured breakdown, death and financial ruin over the course of their fractured history. Incredibly enough, however, they've somehow managed to produce some fine albums along the way - and Wonderland is up there with the very best of them. Now a resident of Los Angeles, singer Tim Burgess has brought a range of American soul influences to bear on the Charlies' staple blues-rock sound and the marriage has worked out far better than anyone could have expected. On this evidence, pop's greatest survivors look like they're good for a few more years yet.
