Fans of 80s jangly indie rock from the UK will probably always hold The Smiths on the highest pedestal, and with good reason—Morrissey and Marr created a distinct body of work both musically and lyrically, a catalogue so well-known that similar bands of the same era are increasingly marginalized except among serious aficionados. Thus the excellent catalogues of also-rans like Aztec Camera, Orange Juice, and The Go-Betweens will likely remain under Morrissey's gloomy shadow. One band in particular, Felt, is deserving of a much wider audience. Often touted by Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian as a major influence, Felt recorded ten albums in the 80s, none of which sold all that much. This may be due to lead singer Lawrence Hayward's mewling vocals (he sounds uncannily like Television's Tom Verlaine), but if we can handle Morrissey's bleating, then surely Hayward's vocal tone is no great burden. Nearly all of Felt's albums are worthy (although some are largely instrumental and less interesting), especially if you like any of the bands named above. Here's a b-side from 1986's "Ballad Of The Band" single. If you like it, you will probably find much to enjoy in the Felt catalogue.Felt, "I Didn't Mean To Hurt You":
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