Swaggering, confident, and terrifying talented, The Charlatans are among the coolest bands in the world.

Looking as good as they sound, it's startling to remember that the band have been together for almost 20 years.

Those two decades, however, have been a rollercoaster ride, with towering success and hedonistic thrills, but also terrifying descents and tragedy.

Though still inextricably linked to the Madchester' baggy scene that spawned them, they have come a long way since first single Indian Rope Trick was unleashed on a captivated audience, selling 20,000 copies.

But, says bass player Martin Blunt, they have never been better.

Their 10th studio album, You Cross My Path has been available online from Xfm since March as a free download, but is released this week on CD and vinyl, or, for serious fans, as a double album featuring extra tracks and live tunes.

"It's a perfect album," says Martin.

"There is no filler," he adds. "We've been careful not to dilute it."

Martin, who, is actually a native of the Black Country - with a gloriously broad accent to match - is speaking to the Guide from the band's own recording studio - Big Mushroom, a converted Cheshire mill.

While previous album Simpatico, was recorded at the legendary Hook End Studios, In Checkendon, south Oxfordshire, this album saw them return to Big Mushroom - though chunks of it were also recorded in Los Angeles, California, and the other Hollywood - in Ireland.

"On the last album there were quite a few demons that needed to be purged," he explains. "But, soon after it was finished, we had a Road to Damascus experience."

The band certainly have known tough times.

After the phenomenal success of debut album Some Friendly, keyboard player Rob Collins - whose luscious flourishes defined the band's early sound - was sentenced to eight months in prison for his involvement in an armed robbery.

They came back with acclaimed third album Up To Our Hips, but in 1996, disaster followed, when Rob was killed in a car accident during recording sessions for follow-up, Tellin' Stories.

Resisting temptation to call it a day, they soldiered on, releasing their biggest hit ever, One To Another, and enlisting Duffy from Primal Scream to help out. Rob's place was eventually taken by Tony Rogers, who still plays keys, alongside Martin, frontman Tim Burgess, guitarist Mark Collins and drummer Jon Brookes.

"Like all bands we've had our moments of doubt," says Martin.

"Rob's death was a very untimely. He just ran out of road.

"His Hammond organ was our trademark sound. And afterwards there was a lot of soul searching. It wasn't a foregone conclusion that we would carry on. But someone dealt us an ace card and Tony came along.

"The Charlatans was never meant to be a career. We are just surprised to be the last gang in town, and to have been here so long.

"But then, what doesn't kill you, makes you strong.

"We've grown, and lost some people, but the fans have grown with us. Then again, there are people who thought Wonderland, our eighth album, was our first. It's good that we can still convert people. It's humbling. It gives you the impetus to go that extra yard in what you're doing."

So what does the new album sound like?

"I describe it as Teutonic stax!" he laughs. "It's kraut-rock' mixed with a Stax soul feel."

The band are now on the road, and, next Monday, pitch up at Oxford, for a gig at the Carling Academy.

"It's finally come to pass for us to come and play in the fair city of Oxford," Martin grins, sounding genuinely delighted at the prospect.

"It will be a lively show," he continues. "We've always been at our best playing live. That's our strength."

How does he look back on his life with the band? "It's been a long weekend," he says whistfully. "And we're now up to Sunday morning.

"But I wouldn't say we'll be doing this in another 10 years."

After 19 years together, what has been the band's best moment?

"Probably when we released our fourth album The Charlatans," he recalls.

"In some quarters of the media, we were off the radar. But that meant we had time to enjoy it when it went to number one. When our debut went to number one, we didn't even have time to think."

But he says, bringing it back to the present, it is his latest project which leaves him most excited.

"It has been like going back to basics," he says. "We're not smug, but we have recaptured something special. It's a belter!"

The Charlatans play the Carling Academy on Monday. May 12. Tickets are £22.50.

You Cross My Path is out on Monday on Cooking Vinyl.