Published on Feb 2, 1998
Pure pop music is not dead… it is alive and well and is
embodied by The Nerk Twins.
The
who
? You can blame this collaboration on Jeff Murphy (of the
cult-classic pop band Shoes) and Herb Eimerman, who combine their
multi-instrument talents and vocals to create one of the most
refreshing albums I’ve heard in years,
Either Way.
For someone like myself who knows nothing about Murphy’s old
band (except for what he’s read from Robert Christgau), it might
have beneficial to go into this album with a clean slate – no
preconceived notions, no real expectations. What quickly blares
forth from the headphones is an incredible array of vocals, guitar
(with a 12-string sound not unlike The Byrds and Tom Petty) bass
and drums, with some piano, banjo and violin thrown in for good
measure. Both Eimerman and Murphy are very capable singers, and
while each has his own style of vocals, they wisely know which
style fits the corresponding song.
The title track is an example of how much fun Murphy and
Eimerman must have been having in the studio. Eimerman’s tuba-like
bass lines reminded me a bit of Free, and his clarinet solo – you
read that right, clarinet solo – is just quirky enough to work
perfectly. Likewise, the silly sing-song quality of the lyrics is
by no means hokey, but makes the song stand out as one of the
better numbers on the album.
If you’re looking for a slice of power-pop like was heard on
rock radio in the late ’70s and early ’80s, then hie yourself to
tracks like “What Does It Take?”, “In The Middle Of The Night” “On
& On & On” or “I Still Don’t Love You Anymore”. As much as
these numbers provide a pleasant flashback, they also keep a sense
of present-day to not make them sound like clones – wonderful! (I
wouldn’t mind hearing a song like “In The Middle Of The Night” make
it onto one of the big Chicago radio stations… you listening,
WTMX or WLUP? Hey, WKQX… how’s about you throwing “Either Way”
into the Cage Match?)
At times, the light-hearted mood of
Either Way can work in favor of Murphy and Eimerman. Songs
like “I’m Broke” are quirky enough to be enhoyable. On a few, like
“I Love Jamaica,” the same magic just isn’t there (and I’m probably
the only one who’ll say anything, but I found it a bit annoying to
have the rain stick keep stopping and starting). “2 Women” likewise
loses the magic, taking a theme that could have worked to the
band’s advantage, while “Ugly” is simply a throwaway track.
But for the few mistakes on
Either Way, Murphy and Eimerman quickly redeem themselves
with numbers like “Cast In Stone” and “Stay Away”. With the help of
some of their friends (including drummers Bill Bobrowski and John
Richardson), the Nerk Twins sound is rounded out perfectly.
(Murphy’s brother and fellow band-mate John lends a hand with
backing vocals. I’d like to have provided more background, but none
of my books or usually dependable Web sites I use for research have
been helpful.)
So, if you’re a long-time Shoes fan, how will you react to
Either Way? Well, I don’t know. (Denise Henderson was
so pissed that I didn’t assign this review to her – she’s a
long-time Shoes fan, as well as someone who likes to rip into me
because I don’t seem to like pop music.) My guess is that you’ll
love this disc just as much – it most likely is a natural
progression for Murphy.
Either Way is a disc that restores some of my faith in
simple, no-nonsense and, when the mood is right, slightly oddball
music that wins over even the toughest ear. Don’t let the name fool
you – the Nerk Twins mean some serious business. Here’s hoping that
Murphy and Eimerman win the success they so richly deserve.