Customer Reviews

Crumbling the Antiseptic Beauty

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The main problem I have with the c.d. is that it is not what I ordered. The c.d. was supposed to include the first two releases by felt, but I got the single (Crumbling...) by itself. The market place seller blamed Amazon and bugged me to remove my poor rating. So be wary of any seller with too high a rating. For some it's not customer service that's important to them but the illusion of perfection (Their rating). The c.d. itself is good not great but I knew that since I had the c.d. before. Of cource I previously owned the version with the stronger Splendour of Fear e.p. included on the same c.d. but I have given up on that now. So Amazon shoppers be careful. The version you are buying might not be what you get.

This is really two albums on one CD: Crumbling The Antiseptic Beauty and The Splendour of Fear. Obviously Lawrence and Deebank of Felt were hugely influenced by Tom Verlaine and Television. Still, it doesn't feel like a rip-off of Television's sound. I love the liquid, shimmering reverb drenched guitar and atmospherics on this recording. Sure Lawrence's vocals are an acquired taste, much in the same way that Tom Verlaine's singing is not everyone's cup of tea. The drumming technique by Gary Ainge is interesting and not always perfectly in time. In fact there are little flaws here and there in the singing and playing, but somehow it makes this set all the more appealing. Felt recorded other albums, mostly really short EP length stuff, but this one is head and shoulders above the rest. Crumbling The Antiseptic Beauty, The Splendour of Fear which clocks in around 60 minutes is so cool from start to finish. Trippy, gorgeous, morose but fun!

I've now listened to these songs for 20 years now, so I feel qualified to say that Felt (Maurice Deebank-era) produced some of the most beautiful, compelling music of that era. Do yourself a favor and listen to this. You may not like it at first (and to be honest, Laurence's voice was sort of off-putting the first few times around), but pick up a copy of this, get some headphones, and really *listen*. You will eventually understand.

I happened upon Felt in college back in 1984. It took a few listens (did I really ENJOY this vocalist?!), but I became hooked and haunted. I was delighted to come across this cd, which is actually two vinyl albums combined. The second half, "The Splendour of Fear", was my first Felt acquisition and it continues to mesmerize.