The words 'resilient' and 'survivors' always pop up whenever The Charlatans release an album, and it is no different this time.

However, it takes more than endurance for a British guitar band to survive 15 years, eight studio albums and many infamous hindrances.

They need to be really good too, and if more proof of the Charlies' abilities were needed, Up At The Lake provides it. In fact, this is one of the best offerings of a fine back catalogue, with a renewed excitement emanating immediately from the opening title track, which nods knowingly towards Happy Mondays' Loose Fit.

There is a hint elsewhere of those early days, but the only real retro feel comes from a modernised Madchester cockiness, especially in the second half.

Tim Burgess has lost the Wonderland falsetto and also lets keyboardist Tony Rodgers take vocals on the superb Loving You Is Easy, which is perhaps a sign of the band's confidence. Classics like High Up Your Tree show it's not misplaced.

Updated: 08:39 Thursday, June 03, 2004