Ignite the Seven Cannons is the album that contains Felt's most famous song, "Primitive Painters," an atypical effort that sounds a lot like Cocteau Twins. That's not surprising, considering that Cocteau Twins' Elizabeth Fraser and Robin Guthrie appear as vocalist and producer, respectively. In fact, Guthrie produced the entire album, and Fraser also adds some "ahhs" to "The Day the Rain Came Down." Guthrie drowns Felt's busy instrumental sound in reverb, transforming otherwise sparkling pop songs like "Caspian See" into murky, almost drab affairs. Felt would go on to make other dreamy-sounding, reverb-soaked albums (like Forever Breathes the Lonely Word), but the effect would be applied more artfully than it is here. A few of the songs are so-so instrumentals, and "Textile Ranch" in particular would have been better with vocals. Ignite the Seven Cannons is neither Felt's best nor worst album, although the inclusion of "Primitive Painters" may have made it their most-heard.

(by Greg Adams, All Music Guide)