CHARLATANS - THE CHARLATANS CELEBRATE FREE DOWNLOAD SUCCESS

THE CHARLATANS are celebrating after learning their new album, YOU CROSS MY PATH, has been downloaded 30,000 times since it was made available for free on Monday (03Mar08). The British rockers are giving away their 10th studio album as a download through London radio station XFM - and they've been left amazed by the number of 'sales', which are the equivalent of a number two debut in the U.K. albums chart. Frontman Tim Burgess says, "We never imagined that it could be this successful. It's a tribute to people's belief in us. "And, if we were in the shops, 20 years after The Charlatans started, we would be the number two most popular group in the country this week - going free was the best thing for us." The band plans to cash in on their free download initiative when You Cross My Path is released as a deluxe double CD and on vinyl in May (08).