IT'S OFTEN said that rats and cockroaches would be the few survivors of a nuclear war. You could probably add The Charlatans to that list.

Having seen off adversity that would have buried many bands - the jailing, then death of their organist, a huge financial rip off, singer moving to the USA etc - their staying power is incredible.

Also incredible is the consistency of their music. Album after top class album, each showing a musical progression. They regularly tackle the pressure to produce original new music head on, and come out on top.

This, however, is a live album, recorded close to home turf in Manchester. The Charlatans are frustrating live, not because of their shows, which are always excellent, but because they seem to overlook so many great tunes.

Understandable, perhaps, given their huge back catalogue and desire to play new songs, but still frustrating.

This record includes 14 tracks, most from the band's last three albums. Love Is The Key, the great You're So Pretty... and a slightly lean One To Another are here, as is the fantastic Forever. Pleasingly, the classic Weirdo, with Johnny Marr on guitar, is included, and there's no way The Only One I Know or Sproston Green could be omitted.

The record is a great listen - it's The Charlatans, it would be. But it won't offer anything to the converted. For anoraks only. Otherwise, spend your hard-earned cash on a gig ticket and get the real Charlatans live experience. It's always worth it.

Updated: 10:19 Thursday, July 25, 2002