Wednesday, October 19, 2016

40 Year Itch : I'm in the Phonebooth


The Nerves : Hanging on the Telephone


In 1976 the Los Angeles based power trio The Nerves released what may simply be the best EP of the year. This chock-full -o'-earworms recording sounds at once 5 years ahead of its time and 10 years behind the times. Here is a band that is not afraid to wear its Beatles influences on its sleeves and three piece suits on the stage. Future Plimsoul Peter Case has that aching voice reminiscent of a young John Lennon on  "When You Find Out". 

But the stand out must be the song most people associate with Blondie, "Hanging on the Telephone". Penned by Jack Lee, this two minute stunner would become a UK Top 5 hit for Blondie. Future Paul Collins Band leader Collins gives us "Working Too Hard". All in all, this is as close to perfection as power pop gets.




No comments:

Post a Comment