The Nerve Self Autopsy LP
Dug up and delivered by trusty rescuers of fringe sounds Supreme Echo, this record collects six tracks with warped 1970s hard rock sensibilities from the NERVE, who are touted here as Edmonton, Alberta’s “first punk band.” Led by the heavy, guitar-noodled instrumental title track, the first couple of songs run together in an eccentric proto-punk swirl before landing on the chugging new-wavery of “Penchant,” the A-side from the band’s sole 7” release from 1978. Next up is the standout “Preludes,” whose airy strum and vocal cadence evoke a subtle and pleasant prog/yacht rock vibe. “Tie Me Up” and “$20 Whore” are the feistiest numbers, the former recalling the toughest tunes of the EAGLES and the latter a bizarre power pop synthesis of the NEW YORK DOLLS and the GIZMOS. Of the many adjectives you could reasonably slap on this thing, “boring” or “predictable” are not among them. It’s far out, man.