The first word I etched on a desk with a pen was Morrissey

And the first time the words meant as much as the music was Morrissey

And the moaning that came from my room everyday was Morrissey

And the reason my Mum had to ask was I gay, yes Morrissey.

There’s probably a hundred songs out there by bands trying to articulate their feelings toward Morrissey.  To a great many of them he was a hero to them musically, even if he has a penchant for doing some very stupid things.  The conflict between the idealised version of the man that came from his early songs and what he now appears to be is difficult for fans to reconcile.  Dear Morrissey by The Felt Tips is one of the better efforts in this area.  There’s clearly a great respect and love for him, even if now they will now “leave you to your slightly questionable ways”.

As a song, it epitomises what The Felt Tips are about.  Musically they slot right in to the current indiepop canon, but lyrically is where the band comes alive.  The band seem to have no time at all for abstract concepts or talking in vagaries.  Engaged for a Visa is exactly what the title suggests and Silver Spoon deals directly with paralysis after an accident.  Lifeskills, by some margin the longest song on the record, spends nearly five minutes bluntly discussing blowjobs in the park.

Now this style of songwriting may not suit everyone, and certainly it’s not the most cohesive work as an album.  Looked at instead as a collection of short stories though and it’s far more appealing.  It’s a remarkably assured release as a debut album, and one that signals that current line of great Scottish indiepop bands shows no sign of coming to an end.

MP3 The Felt Tips – Dear Morrissey

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