The Charlatans - How High/Title Fight

All Music Guide

The second single released from the band's Tellin' Stories, How High adds one rather short and one rather too long B-side to the title track. "How High" is an obvious song to release as a single, though Tellin' Stories is full of single-worthy tracks. It's a song that sees the band getting better with age and raging against any criticisms that they may have become irrelevant with the death of Madchester. "Down With the Mook" is a short but great instrumental. A conga and mariachi percussion workout starts the song, as a wailing guitar eventually gives way to a cool groove with about a minute left. Rob Collins, who died during the recording sessions for Tellin' Stories, supplies a stunning keyboard track for the song, and it makes all the difference, turning the song into a minor stunner. "Title Fight" would be worthy of best-of status from many other bands. Its a punchy tune with distorted guitars, confident vocals from Tim Burgess, and more life-giving keyboards from Collins. Though t...he song might be about a minute and a half too long, it's unlikely the band wanted to manipulate Collins' finale. Tony Rogers and Martin Duffy are also given credit for keyboards on the single, so it's hard to say who plays what, but Collins' spirit infuses all of the songs. How High is a great single. - Tim DiGravina, All Music Guide Read more Less