The Charlatans latest album ‘You Cross My Path’, which was made available for free, has been downloaded 30,000 times in its first week.

Had the album been released officially it would have entered the UK album chart at number two this weekend, according to Music Week.

The album is currently only available to download; however, it will also go on general release on May 12th.

Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess said when he and the bands manager, Alan McGee, thought of the idea they “never imagined that it could be this successful.”

Meanwhile, McGee said that he feels “totally vindicated with the philosophy” behind the release of the record.

“If you go free and make a great record, you can exceed your dreams,” he said.

“No longer does music have to work in the traditional major label dominated way. Long live the Charlatans.”

‘You Cross My Path’ will eventually surface on deluxe double CD, single CD and vinyl formats.

(by Jason Gregory)