The Nervous Return
Headshots
2002 Psychic Noise Records
www.thenervousreturn.com
Since you all know I am not fond of stuffing music reviews full of history (unlike my co-patriot, Mr. Bill I am good at devouring history, but lousy at regurgitating it), I'll keep this preface short. The tale of The Nervous Return begs a bit of discussion since DIC included in this issue an editorial of their controversial album cover for Headshots. The band started out as Twig, learned that there was already a Twig somewhere out there and renamed themselves The Nervous Return. They then produced an album with a cover that has successfully gotten them banned from most record stores and a few clubs in the Los Angeles area. Still they continue to push on, undaunted, and with a tour schedule that would make Greg Ginn proud. See that was more history vomit, than history lesion…so on to the music.
The Nervous Return bothers me because their sound is really fantastic, but walks a fine line between being rough and raw, and utter gloss. It reminds me a lot of the recent projects by Superchunk and The Promise Ring- edgy, but just too nice to be convincing. Headshots should be some stir something inside you, as The Nervous Return has all of the roar and screech of a good Emo band. The guitars are a flawless stampede of harmony and rhythm that wash over you like a tidal wave of broken glass and rusty nails. Even the vocals have the right tug to whip you into a frenzy of self-introspection. I mean really am a sucker for this shit. It's the reason I pay attention to everything that pops out of Dischord Records and remain part of the Doc Marten wearing horn-rimmed spectacle set (as opposed to…). That said, The Nervous Return seem to be trying to decide if they want to be a rough art band or just rock out. The sounds bounce about between true, old-fashioned Emo-core (they do a damn fine Fugazi/Holly Rollers impression) and the kind of "bubble-gum punk" that provides the sound track for an MTV Spring Break beach party. That bothers me, but perhaps I am just a little too crusty and cynical to enjoy the happier pop-punk stuff that Headshots contains.
To The Nervous Return's credit I have caught myself more than once tappin' my foot to Headshots and enjoy the sonic push and pull that each song contains. It's a solid album from a new band that is certainly going places. I would go see The Nervous Return when they play in your hometown, as their live sets are fantastic, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed. For this shabby rug though, I like my sonic beverages shaken, but not stirred, so Headshots is just not my cocktail, but it just might be yours.
-John Southern