By Henry Lipput
The Odd Sox collection (Bandcamp) of the Leeds UK band Nervous
Twitch is composed of home demos, B-sides, and compilation tracks. It has songs
that, like the odd socks in your own dresser drawer, are made up of various
colors, textures, and shapes. And after five albums into their recording career,
the band, made up of Erin Hyde (vocals, bass, and keys), Jamie Churchley (guitars,
keys, and backing vocals), and Ashley Goodall (drums), have a lot to share.
Hyde’s vocals on most of the songs have a real don’t-mess-with-me
vibe. On “Your Cruel Ways” she and the band’s punk roots are showing; “I Love
You Honestly,” has a big beat sound to match.
“This Song About You” relates the story of a song that was
written and recorded quickly, it was never considered as a single, and was
probably never going to be played live; to my ears it's describing a relationship
that was never considered serious (but there are serious. very cool organ fills
going on). “Keep On Moving” has a country-rock feel as it gives a friend some encouragement
to get their act together and to help them get off their couch and back in the
game. The song ends with nearly a minute of an almost mantra-like repeating of
the song’s title.
The Odd Sox collection also includes a few instrumentals,
some fully formed and others waiting for the right time to blossom. “The Birdman
Stomp” is a fab callback to the early ‘60s to bands like The Shadows. “Tarantino Hangover (Acoustic
Demo)” is a short piece that would fit nicely as soundtrack music for someone’s
next film (but from what I’ve heard he’s not making them anymore).
“Persistent
Itch” is a rocking full band workout and although Hyde doesn’t have a vocal on
this track her bass is up front and center; in addition, Churchley’s guitars
and Goodall’s drums also get their time in the sun.
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