"Some Friendly" is the debut studio album by British rock band the Charlatans, released on 8 October 1990 through the Beggars Banquet Records imprint Situation Two. The band, formed in 1988, underwent several line-up changes before establishing a core consisting of vocalist Tim Burgess, guitarist John Baker, bassist Martin Blunt, keyboardist Rob Collins, and drummer Jon Brookes. The group wrote material at a prolific pace, releasing their debut single "Indian Rope" in early 1990, and subsequently signed to Beggars Banquet to record their first album. Recording sessions for "Some Friendly" took place between March and August 1990 with producer Chris Nagle at Strawberry Studios in Stockport and The Windings in Wrexham. The album incorporates styles including acid-pop, baggy, and dance-pop, drawing influence from the psychedelic period of The Beatles.
The lead single, "The Only One I Know", was released in May 1990 and marked the band’s first appearance on the BBC Television music show Top of the Pops. The release was followed by the Charlatans’ first headlining tour in the United Kingdom. The second single, "Then", was issued in September 1990, shortly after the band’s first overseas performance. During this period, they adopted the name Charlatans UK for international shows due to the existence of an American band with the same name. The group concluded 1990 with a tour of the UK and mainland Europe, supported by Intastella, and embarked on their first full United States tour in early 1991, coinciding with the release of "Sproston Green" as a single in February 1991.
Upon release, "Some Friendly" received mixed reviews from critics, with attention often focused on the band’s influences. Collins’ keyboard work was praised, while Burgess’ vocals drew criticism. Retrospective assessments have been more favorable, although some commentary still highlights the album’s stylistic derivations. The album reached number one on the UK Albums Chart and was certified gold by the British Phonographic Industry three days after release. It also charted in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, and the United States. Singles "The Only One I Know" and "Then" both reached the top 20 in the UK and number 11 in Ireland. The album was recognized in year-end lists, appearing in the top 10 of Melody Maker and the top 30 of Sounds. "The Only One I Know" has since been considered a defining track of the Madchester and baggy scenes.
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