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April 16, 2007
Now, how does that feel?
In what seems like a paradox, Felt (born Lawrence Hayward) enjoyed exploring a wide range of music styles without ever feeling the need to experiment with the sound of his voice. Lawrence, who is British, sung with one of those overly faux-sounding British accents Americans often times employ. He focused mostly on the monotone, while the music, sometimes jangly pop/sometimes orchestral, filled in the melody.
The band's sound fit in well with the anthemic, fast-paced work pervading the post-punk, new wave Venn diagram (a cross between early R.E.M. and Echo & the Bunnymen), but the man and his band didn't appear to garner much love beyond the niche and Stuart Murdoch? (here, search for Felt). Many people know Penelope Tree, but, below, you will find my favorite tracks.
Could this be the most beautiful song in the world? It would have to be in the top 65. And I wouldn't bet against it. Hayward, at his accented best, lulls the listener into a comfortable place. And, out of nowhere, the Cocteau Twins' Liz Fraser lends her indescribable voice - adding an (and now you'll think I'm shirking duties) indescribable frisson (anguish? elation?) obscuring everything else in the track. It's a somewhat common trick - to have a song go forth in one particular way, only to shock the listener on a new path (like an unexpected murder in a movie), but rarely does it come across so perfectly.
Sunlight Bathed The Golden Glow
Hip white secular gospel song? Complete with choral flourishes; strings; and crisp, angular guitar, the song once again juxtapose Hayward's nuanced tone with high-flying melodies.
// Buy Felt's Stains on a Decade
Posted by Keith O'Brien at April 16, 2007 02:00 PM
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