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Thursday, 15 November 2007 |
 Nuclear Forehead returns sounding better than ever on their new CD, "Next Flight," a potpourri of power-pop-influenced rock recorded in fits and starts over a period of several years. Not only was more time spent in the recording process than on the band's debut CD, "What It Is!!," but remastering has given the songs a crisper feel. This complements the new batch of catchy songs well -- fans should find a lot to like about "Next Flight." Lead songwriter and instrumentalist Dave Gershman writes and performs the majority of the songs here, while four were cowritten by Dave and bandmate Mick Ruzich, who takes lead vocals on "Cold Shoulder" and "Cry in the Snow," two of the CD's standout tracks. Every track crackles with energy -- old fans and new listeners alike should take quickly to the 60s-style pop of "When You Look My Way"; the rocking power pop of "Know What Is Real"; the acid-tongued and slightly psychedelic "Bitter" and its rocking alter ego, "Too Bad (Bitter Return)"; the spry introspection of "Telling on Myself"; and the wry acoustic stomp, "They Left at Last." To quote a reviewer on Garageband.com: "With most bands the influences are really apparent, but this is like a cocktail that got squeezed out of a bar rag and was shaken into a martini glass. There is a little bit of everything here....Absolutely different, but definitely enjoyable." Dave and Mick have emerged with a winner -- catch the "Next Flight" to indie rock enjoyment with Nuclear Forehead! |
Biography:
A long time ago, in a music galaxy far far away, Dave Gershman and Mick Ruzich, longtime friends since childhood, in their final year of college at Cornell University, laid down the tracks for what would become their debut album, "What It Is!!" With over 20 original songs in hand, Dave and Mick settled on the band name "Nuclear Forehead" (overheard as an offhand remark describing someone's, you guessed it, forehead) and recorded the tracks over a 3-day period. With lyrics co-written by the duo, music written and played by Dave, and most lead vocals handily handled by Mick, the ensuing (very limited, cassette-only) release received an enthusiastic response from friends and acquaintances alike. "Spontaneous Human Combustion" and "Traffic Jam" were among the favorites.
Following graduation, however, the two went their separate ways to pursue other paths. Nuclear Forehead was on indefinite hiatus, and "What It Is!!" was out of print -- in the hands of only a lucky few. How many copies of that cassette may now be out there is impossible to say.
But that all changed in February 2005, when "What It Is!!" returned, pared down to 14 songs, remastered on CD in all its 4-track, lo-fi glory, to be heard and enjoyed anew. And now Nuclear Forehead is back, with the long-awaited sophomore release, "Next Flight" -- chock full of their unique brand of power-poppin'/lo-fi/hum-along songs recorded in their home recording studio over a period of several years. |
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| Webpage: http://www.nuclearforehead.com |
| Location: Fall City, WA, USA |
| Description: A lo-fi blend of crunchy power pop, '80s-style college rock, and punk, conjuring up the Buzzcocks, Violent Femmes, R.E.M., and more. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 10 August 2009 )
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