by Tim Sendra
More evidence of Felt's odd approach to a career in rock music. Side one is eight songs in the classic indie pop vein. The guitars ring loudly, Hammond organs swoop in and out, Lawrence's flat and reedy vocals sing songs of bitterness and irony. Indie pop unequaled by any other band of their era. Each song as catchy and memorable as the last. &Don't Die on My Doorstep& deserving extra credit for having one of the best song titles of the '80s. Then you flip the record over and are met by a 12-minute ambient piano piece. Martin Duffy presses softly on the keys and the melody that results is not unaffecting, in fact, it is kind of pretty in a new-agey way. Still, you have to wonder what they were thinking. Careers are made by delivering what the people expect and only that, over and over, until they get bored and find the next big thing. Following your own path usually leads to nothing but heartbreak, poverty, and the occasional great pop record. Like this one.