These are the two most commercial early-80s Felt albums, and The Strange Idols Pattern, from 1984, is also the best. Its delicate, gossamer-thin sound perfectly couches Maurice Deebank's sparkling, intricate guitar lines and Lawrence's breathy introspection; the whole thing sounds like cool, clear water, trebly and spacious, and has immense charm. 1985's Ignite The Seven Cannons saw Martin Duffy--later of Primal Scream--join on keyboards, but the transition from the original Felt sound to the lush, organ-driven atmospherics of later years was not a smooth one. For the most part, Duffy's contribution just clutters a muddy mix, but there are moments where the new Felt sound falls into place--brilliantly on the sullen epic "Primitive Painters". --Taylor Parkes