The Feelies "In Between"
Punk rock was becoming all the rage when the Feelies formed in 1976, but the New Jersey act wanted to do something different, something cleaner with more percussion. Out of that vision came 1980's Crazy Rhythms, a landmark album signaling a new musical direction. It didn't sell a ton of copies, but it was passed eagerly around the indie scene, inspiring those who heard it. REM, Yo La Tengo, and Weezer have all cited the album as an influence.
The Feelies
The Feelies were never motivated by fame or fortune, anyway. They were more interested in making music that affected individuals in a meaningful way. In 1992, after releasing a total of four albums and occasionally flirting with mainstream breakthroughs, they disbanded. "Broke up" is too strong a word for it; they just stopped playing together. Now, in celebration of their 40th anniversary, the Feelies return with a new album, In Between.
The album was recorded in vocalist/guitarist Glenn Mercer's house, "off the clock" as he says in the press release for the album. This choice was deliberate, as they wanted a relaxed sound. "If you let it," Mercer says, "music can take on a life of its own, and we wanted to allow the songs to develop with that idea in mind."
As a whole, the album is reassuring and upbeat. The album's opening track, "In Between," starts with crackling fire, bird songs, and crickets. The band's signature, jangly dual-guitar bop rises unassumingly from the background. As always, the music somehow manages to sound simultaneously energetic and restrained. Any time the energy of the guitar work builds to the point where it threatens to break free of gravity altogether and go spiraling into space, Brenda Sauter’s bass guitar anchors it back to ground again. Drummer Stan Demeski and percussionist Dave Weckerman rarely call attention to themselves, preferring instead to drive the band's crazy rhythm with expert cool and composure.
The Feelies were never motivated by fame or fortune. They were more interested in making music that affected individuals in a meaningful way.
The foot-tap-inducing "Stay the Course" continues the trend, quietly encouraging us to "Stay the course, keep on trying." In our cynical age, this attitude is refreshing, but never in a superficial way. This isn't mindless teeny bop but is, instead, like a wise old friend reminding us to chill out and remember who we are.
"Flag Days" deviates slightly from the album's general mellowness, with sneering grit reminiscent of Lou Reed, one of the Feelies’ influences. Even here, though, there's wise consolation as Mercer reminds us that, "hey now, hey now / It's alright."
"Pass the Time" sounds exactly like its name. The song is in no particular hurry to get anywhere. Percussion takes over here, tapping along with a mellow rhythm while the guitar snakes around in the background. There's a calm, assured optimism to the song. It's a nice sedative for these frenetic times.
The album works back full circle to "In Between," only this time with a harder electric version of the song, just like "My My, Hey Hey" bookends Rust Never Sleeps. Mercer says, however, that this was never consciously intended. Like the rest of the album, it just kind of happened that way.
The album's own masterful composure and restraint can also be its biggest drawback. At times, the songs feel a bit repetitive, offering no clear high points. Whether this is good or bad, though, really just depends on what mood you're looking for at the time.
In Between is the kind of album you listen to while staring out your window thinking about life, or something you play while hanging out with a few close friends. It's an album that induces contemplation and conversation. Remember those?
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