The Feelies – Here Before – Bar None – BRNCD204 - ***

The Feelies sprouted in New Jersey in 1976, their debut Crazy Rhythms following in 1980, a re-tread of The Velvet underground's melodic moments played with a neurotic, new wave, energy. Here Before is only their fifth album in thirty-five years.
Glenn Mercer's Loud Reed-style, New York school, vocals have slipped an octave but those simple chords still circle in simple patterns, sometimes in downbeat acoustic mode, other times in a propulsive electric splurge. Morning Comes is a model of controlled tension.
On And On dares a dramatic mid-point mood shift. The Feelies offer art-house indie rock comfort food of a superior calibre.

(16/5/11)