Crumbling the Antiseptic Beauty [Import]

Felt (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 1981
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Cherry Red UK
• ASIN: B00009MKPY
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,654 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Full title - Crumbling The Antiseptic Beauty. 2003 limited reissue of seminal 1981 debut album, that's unavailable domestically, packaged in a paper sleeve. 6 tracks. Cherry Red.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A strangely alluring debut, January 14, 2009

By 

Lypo Suck (Hades, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crumbling the Antiseptic Beauty (Audio CD)

Two guys with electric guitars essentially jamming with the reverb turned up to 10, using the thin but shimmery, trebbly, clean tone of their guitars to carve out intricate, gossamer webs of gently atmospheric, melancholic, melodic art-pop. Lawrence sings in his Lou Reed meets Tom Verlaine deadpan, while strumming minor key rhythm guitar parts. Guitarist Maurice Deebank lays down dextrous, complex, yet highly moving and beautiful guitar melodies, alternately coloring and locking tightly within Lawrence's rhythmic framework. The effect is at times like Television on reds. Gentle drumming played only on toms and a kick recalls Moe Tucker. Barely-there bass economically fills in the lower end (at least some of the time). The almost droney "Bidrman" unfolds beautifully, hypnotically. "Fortune" is gorgeously melodic, although a better version would resurface later as a b-side. "I Worship the Sun" even attempts to rock out in spots before succumbing to the overall blurred, slightly dirgey mood. At times self-indulgent and unfocused, but nearly always beautiful, mesmerizing, and steeped in atmosphere, this record essentially lays down the blueprint, albeit in a primitive way, for Felt's Cherry Red years, from '80-'85. However, this is not the best starting place for newcomers, who should instead begin with later, more developed (and even more riveting) albums like Strange Idols Pattern. This album is more for those already familiar with Felt's MO and can just lay back and soak up the lazy atmosphere.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some great music, but no cover art, March 25, 2004

By 

Greg Cleary (Marquette, MI United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Crumbling The Antiseptic Beauty (Audio CD)

I bought this two-for-one disc before the Felt reissues were available, and I became intrigued enough to eventually buy more Felt releases. The guitar sound is wonderful. I hate to use a cliche like "shimmering," but there you have it. It's as if the notes are materializing out of the air, rather than being the result of fingers striking against metal strings. The dark mood will appeal to fans of albums like the Cure's "Faith" and "Seventeen Seconds."

These first two 30-minute albums are an excellent introduction to the band. I caution against buying this particular package, though. For one thing, the absence of cover art is a crying shame. Music this good does not deserve to be deprived of its original cover art, which is now available with the reissues. You will pay more to buy the discs separately, but if you value good cover art, it will be worth it. And if you buy one of these albums, I strongly suggest the second one, "The Splendour of Fear," which has much stronger songwriting than the first. All six tracks are winners, especially the longest one, "The Stagnant Pool," which sounds like a precursor to the Cure's song "Disintegration." Felt's third album, "Strange Idols Pattern and Other Short Stories," is also an excellent starting point, being more song-oriented than these first two.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Felt, January 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Crumbling The Antiseptic Beauty (Audio CD)

Contrary to popular opinion, I think Lawrence is a great vocalist. His voice is left unadorned and it hangs perfectly in balance with the minimal, delicate instrumentation of the band.