There are some songs that you listen to and you think, “Yes, I’ve been there.” And there are others where you feel like saying “Dammit, how dare you read my diary?” And then there are songs by the Felt Tips in which they take insight to a whole new level where, in their own words “…like that time you fumbled around with a condom in your darkened bedroom while trying to keep the mood alive – well, The Felt Tips were there watching you.” Blimey. Is that insight, voyeurism…or stalking?
Glasgow’s The Felt Tips play their own brand of classy jangly indie-pop (they’ve released records through Cloudberry in the US and played Twee As Fuck, if that gives you an idea). Their music acknowledges its debt to the likes of Orange Juice, The Smiths and Belle and Sebastian, but also builds upon its influences to go somewhere with them. The lyrics are particularly biting and insightful: “How can you prove yourself when there’s nothing standing in your way?” they question on opening track ‘A Life More Ordinary.’ The second track ‘Boyfriend Devoted’ delivers a frustrated riposte to someone who won’t be open about their feelings and sex behind closed doors because of a professed religious belief: “Do you understand what it is like to have you say that I am just a friend?…put down your old testament and come to bed with me!” And’ Dear Morrissey’ deals with the feeling that the Moz has soundtracked many of our lives but leaves us slightly worried just the same: “We’ll leave to your slightly questionable way,” they decide.
There are some people who have never got twee-pop, and I feel pity for them. The Felt Tips have demonstrated that you can be nakedly personal and yet be funny instead of using histrionics.
Enjoy!
