The self-proclaimed confused and anxious bunch in Nervous have unleashed their first full length on Twelve Gauge Records. The album is a mix of desperation, and fiery intensity fueled by interesting instrumentation and offset flow that might just be enough to draw an interested crowd. But rest assured, this isn't an album that everyone is going to be able to get into.
Nervous, upon reading the band description, is a lot of things from Jesus Lizard to Nirvana and even the Pixies. I can't say that the band really sounds all that close to any of those at any given moment. Sure there maybe influences but is there a consistent sound from any one of these bands that's prevalent throughout? Hell no. Really, if one had to pick out a similar sound style, it would be 80s emo era (remove your mind from that fake Taking Back Sunday/Hawthorne Heights bullshit) Moss Icon hands down. In fact, the similarities are almost baffling.
Nervous' self-titled debut is extremely fitting to the name. Once “Good Morning” kicks into gear the sound is obvious, desperation mixed with seemingly stream of consciousness writing. Lyrics are so fevered you will swear your speakers are sweating. Those familiar with Jake Spek (Loma Prieta, Lewd Acts) and Jacob Harris (Big Kids, Acid Fast) will find that the two mesh together excellently.
Nervous can range from anywhere to slow and sporadic (see: “Home”) to almost aggressive (see: “Cog in the Machine”). Other songs such as “Birthday Party” have a droning effect to them. It's almost like the band just set up and went at it and said, “fuck all else.” The attitude here is something that's respectable and for that even it deserves your attention.
Another cool thing is, despite this sounding exactly like something that Moss Icon would do today, it still feels fresh because it hasn't been overplayed and beaten to death. It's still different enough that those familiar with Moss Icon's sound can still easily enjoy this. Songs like “Can't Feel a Thing” sound like they're channeling “Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die.” How about the song “Day Off”? Almost sounds like “Hate in Me.”
Everything on this album is going to largely depend upon one thing: how much do you like Moss Icon? It is the make or break point of the album. Some may find themselves frustrated or irritated by the unconventional approach mixed with Embrace-era influenced emo and fever-induced slam poetry. Sure there's other obvious influences like Catch For Us the Foxes era mewithoutYou, even if it is unintentional. And yeah, there is undoubtably some Pixies influence with the band being rooted in post-punk but would I say they sound like them? Absolutely not. If you dig maddening, sloppy post-punk served with an I-don't-give-a-fuck attitude then Nervous is right up your alley.
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