Guys, you’re right. We have been here before: it was the early 1980s and it was a time of jangle, rickenbackers, and post-Velvets pop music. Cycle forward a number of years and nothing’s really changed all that much with The Feelies. Here Before, only the New Jerseyites fifth album in 30 years, and first in 20, is a record confirming the indie legacy of the band, although they hardly had much to prove in the first place – cult status was assured a long time ago. There’s a rich lineage at work here, and a line can be traced through current bands such as The Wave Pictures and Sonny and the Sunsets, back to Luna and Galaxie 500, to Jonathan Richman and The Feelies, right back to Velvet Underground.

Bill Million and Glenn Mercer, the consistent heart of The Feelies, mumble their way through a lovely record, confirming that, along with the ever-brilliant Mission of Burma, there are some things from the 1980s that are worth revisiting again and again. The charming thing about the record is that it feels like no time has elapsed; this could have easily have been made for 80s college rock radio alongside REM’s Fables of the Reconstruction, or The Feelies’ own debut Crazy Rhythms. The only difference is probably that the production values are more enhanced than back then, although Mercer and Million still take turns to mumble enigmatically into the mic. We’re quickly in familiar territory with the band as soon as the first few chords ring out through the speakers. Oh, and two drummers is almost always A Good Thing. Fact.

Here Before starts strongly and manages to sustain that for the duration. Opener ’Nobody Knows’ cheekily posits “is it too late to do it again / or should we wait another ten?” as Mercer considers whether the new album is a good idea, and the song jangles along before rocketing off on a solo which rolls back the years with ease. ‘Should Be Gone’ shines on a wonderful chorus dripping with sunny harmonies, before once more being honoured by a searing solo.

Title track ‘Here Before’ begins as a maudlin song, with Mercer singing ”Everything looks familiar, like I’ve been here before” and watching ”the world flying by”. Suddenly, with two and a half minutes gone, a stunning chord change lifts the mood, and then we’re in sunshine territory with ”it”s okay, and it’s alright / another day, another night”. While not eaxctly the most erudite of couplets, you still get carried away on that positive feeling, knowing that The Feelies are back and actually feeling not too bad about the whole thing. As the electric, scintillating ’Time Is Right’ suggests, making plans can be a waste of time, it’s the feeling that counts and suddenly in 2011 The Feelies decided that the time was right to make Here Before.

In 2011 this isn’t a record that’s going to make the world sit up and take notice of The Feelies, and we could probably have got on with our lives regardless if it was never released, but nonetheless, Here Before is comforting hug of a record, a surprise visit from an old friend and above all, a great album. Here’s hoping it’s not another 10, 20, or 30 years til the next one.