TWO deaths, serious illness, addiction, separation, embezzling accountants, tax problems and frontman Tim Burgess’ current hairdo – The Charlatans have come through them all. Even so, the "jinx" and "world’s unluckiest band" labels regularly attached to them seem a bit much when they’re closing in on 30 years in the industry without a significant hiatus – outstripping most of their late-Eighties peers – or embarrassing/parodying themselves.

Strangely, their misfortunes often seem to be seen through the lens of roll-your-eyes flippancy. Maybe that’s due to the band being regarded as indie-rock’s ‘nearly men’ (another label): Europa League but never Champions League, a bunch of everymen and one slightly bonkers singer whose longevity is respected but who’ve never come up with a truly classic album or signature tune. Different Days won’t change that, but it provides additional proof of why it’s good to still have The Charlatans around.

Testament to their pulling power and the respect they command is the guest list for their 13th (don’t even go there…) album: New Order’s Stephen Morris and ex-Verve sticksman Pete Salisbury share a chunk of the drumming duty; Johnny Marr plays guitar on three tracks (and as it’s Johnny Marr, they’re three of the standouts); Paul Weller does his bit on introspective closer Spinning Out, and Different Days also enlists crime writer Ian Rankin and actress Sharon Horgan.

The latter two collaborations reflect the mischievousness and irreverence that still lies at the core of The Charlatans’ work; even in middle-age, they remain playfully optimistic.

Despite this, Different Days is no impact album; it’s too restrained, reflective and contented for that, and near the end it starts to lapse into silliness (Over Again, The Same House) before pulling itself round. But it’s robust, intriguing, ingenious in places, and superbly voiced by Burgess. And on the title track, Plastic Machinery and Not Forgotten – the closest The Charlatans come to the power and cheeky menace of their mid-Nineties peak – they sound like a much younger band. Unlucky? Maybe. Underrated? Unfortunately. Interesting? Definitely.

The Charlatans play Scarborough Open Air Theatre on June 16; Sheffield O2 Academy, November 30, and Leeds O2 Academy, December 7.