When New York fell down a hXc well in the ’80s, New Jersey was there. The Feelies offered all the singlemindedness of punk with none of the aggression. The title of their 1980 debut, Crazy Rhythms, gave the game away. The presence of lyrics felt like a concession; the band seemed most at home interweaving stripped-down percussion with insistent, twitchy guitar lines. The record’s reputation is such that for many folks, it may as well be the Feelies’ only release. But after losing their rhythm section, the remaining members gigged in any number of permutations alongside other local players, several of whom became Feelies. The new lineup released three fine jangle-rock LPs, calling it quits after 1991’s Time For A Witness. As often happens, everyone remained on good terms, frequently collaborating on each other’s projects, with the exception of co-founder Bill Million, who moved to Florida to work as a locksmith. Everyone except Million made appearances on Glenn Mercer’s 2007 solo debut; the next year, when Sonic Youth invited the Feelies to open for them, they were finally ready. A handful of well-received club dates followed, culminating in Here Before. Produced by Mercer and Million, it’s a prototypical reunion platter, recalling past glories while staying planted in the present.