Train Above the City

AMG Review of Train Above the City

Tim Sendra
All Music Guide

Felt mainman Lawrence has said that this is his favorite Felt record. Which is funny because all he does on the album is title the songs. He does a fine job however; "Run Chico Run" and "Press Softly on the Brakes, Holly" are two titles most songwriters would give at least five bucks for. The music itself is mostly cocktail jazz played by vibes and piano with a splash of percussion. The melodies are nice, if sometimes a little new-agey. Still, when the album is finished one is hard pressed to see what Lawrence is on about. Perhaps his fondness stems from the concept behind the record. No pop band in their right mind would release an album of inconsequential tinklings when all around them bands are changing the face of music or scaling the charts or desperately trying to get ahead. Nobody but Felt. Well, that's Lawrence for you. A man with his own peculiar and quite amusing ways.