Following a run with Cherry Red Records that featured a potential major label jump, guitarist Maurice Deebank quitting and rejoining multiple times, several pop stardom carrots just out of reach, mixing battles with Robin Guthrie, and a shocking entry into the record charts, Lawrence (just “Lawrence”, like “Cher” or “Madonna” thank you very much) knew he would be making a change with his band Felt. He would be seeing out his plan of ten albums and ten singles in ten years alongside a new partner in Creation Records. This compilation beautifully captures those years. Creation was beginning a rapid ascent at the time, with Alan McGee serving as its hyperactive mouthpiece and focal point. McGee was all in on the band. “Lawrence achieved pop perfection, a breathless rush of sensitivity and intelligence. It was too understated to be commercial, too art to go pop, too pop to go art—in other words it was a perfect combination of all the music I loved at the time.” McGee was thrilled to have what he considered a real star on the label, and Lawrence was equally thrilled to have such an enthusiastic cheerleader. He funneled that enthusiasm into some of the most focused songwriting of his career, as well as some of his wildest experiments, all of which are on display here. Tracks 1. I Will Die With My Head In Flames2. Stained-Glass Windows In The Sky3. I Didn?t Mean To Hurt You4. Space Blues 5. Autumn 6. Be Still7. There?s No Such Thing As Victory8. Magellan9. The Final Resting Of The Ark10. Sandman?s On The Rise Again11. Don?t Die On My Doorstep12. Tuesday?s Secret13. Book Of Swords14. Female Star 15. Fire Circle16. The Darkest Ending 17. Bitter End18. Rain Of Crystal Spires19. Voyage To Illumination20. Ballad Of The Band Available on limited pink vinyl
