Search - Felt :: Crumbling the Antiseptic Beauty

A strangely alluring debut

Lypo Suck | Hades, United States | 01/14/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"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."