One Way Ticket (Dig)

The Nerves | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 11, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Alive Records
• ASIN: B001E7OO3C
• Also Available in: Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,191 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

THE NERVES One Way Ticket (2008 US exclusive 20-track remastered CD album - at long last the legendary Nerves finally get an official non-bootleg career retrospective longplayer! Comprised of all available high quality recordings from 1976-1979 this set demonstrates just how important the group were taking up the power pop reins from Big Star The Raspberries and Flamin Groovies. Formed in 1975 by guitarist Jack Lee bassist Peter Case and drummer Paul Collins the Nervesare one of the most influential garage/punk pop outfits to come out of the mid-70s LA scene and certainly one of the least documented... until now. Mostly remembered for their classic Hanging On The Telephone a Jack Lee composition which has been covered over the years by a myriad of artists the Nerves were above all a high energy rocknroll band with all three members composing and singing. Playing fast ear-catching garage pop songs sometimes wearing matching suits the trio had more than a bit of the stripped down street energy of LAs early punk movement. Includes their 1976 self-released EP alongside rare live and demo recordings [2 of which are exclusive to this format] plus material from associated bands The Plimsouls and Breakaways presented in digipak sleeve with rare photos and liner notes from Peter Case)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential Rock & Roll finally available on CD!, November 30, 2008

By 

L. Hansen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: One Way Ticket (Dig) (Audio CD)

Wow, I never thought this release would see the light of day. I discovered the Nerves by working backwards from the Plimsouls and the Beat, but for years their music was pretty much impossible to find. In fact, the only Nerves songs I had before I got this CD were "Hanging on the Telephone" and "When You Find Out" from the Rhino DIY American Power Pop compilation (which is itself out of print). I am trying to get across what a treasure trove of undiscovered gems this release is.

While I love power pop, I do not feel the label applies all that well to the Nerves, at least not in the way that it does to the Raspberries or the Rubinoos. This is straight up rock and roll. It's just three guys playing their instruments and singing, with a youthful energy, a sense of urgency, and an exuberance that makes the music timeless. The songs are fast and never get boring (most clock in at around two minutes). Did I mention the songs themselves are top notch and catchy as hell? I guarantee that you'll find yourself singing along and tapping your hands on the steering wheel, arm rest, or whatever is handy. The sound quality of the live recordings (8 out of the 20 tracks) on the disc isn't too good, but it is fortunate that we have the music at all. My top picks are of course "Hanging on the Telephone" (still better than Blondie's cover), "When You Find Out", "Paper Dolls", "One Way Ticket", and "Walking Out on Love."

In short, if you are a fan of fine songcraft, rough & ragged rock & roll, or good music in general, this CD is essential. It's not like you're going to find these songs anywhere else!

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They had the knack..... before the knack!, February 26, 2009

By 

J. McDonald - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: One Way Ticket (Dig) (Audio CD)

Paul Collins, Jack Lee, and Peter Case formed the Nerves in 1975. If only they had managed to stay together until '79 or '80, they could have given the Knack and the Romantics a bit of friendly competition.

Unfortunately, the Nerves disbanded in 1978. Case and Collins briefly formed "The Breakaways", recorded the song "One Way Ticket", and then decided to call it quits once again. Collins went on to form "The Beat", Case went on to form "The Plimsouls", and Jack Lee went solo.

Even though all of the above mentioned groups have a very cool Power Pop legacy, one cannot help but wonder of the impact these three talented individuals could have had on the mainstream music scene, had they only held it together for a few more years!

Back in 1992, a label called "revenge" in France, released a CD called "That's Totally Pop", which featured every track by the Nerves, every track from Jack Lee's solo album, and the Plimsouls original EP. 29 tracks in all. A great compilation to be sure, but good luck finding it!

While this CD is a bit shorter on material than "That's Totally Pop", it's certainly worth buying! 34 years later, the Nerves FINALLY have a full CD all their own!

If you're a fan of The Knack, Romantics, Beatles, Kinks, and other such legendary rock and power pop groups, you really owe it to yourself to buy this CD! A lot of groups failed to "hit" because they didn't have the material. For the Nerves, it was simply a case of "the right thing, at the wrong time". Trust me, you'll LOVE this CD!

I'm amazed that this is finally available!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Nerves complete studio recordings on CD including the EP digitally remastered thanks to Alive Records and Paul Collins, November 21, 2009

By 

A. Klatt "Music Chef" (Across the USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Way Ticket (Dig) (Audio CD)

Paul Collins accidentally discovered the original master tapes for The Nerves while digging through boxes in his climatized garage. Collins immediately called Peter Case and Jack Lee, who both agreed that The Nerves should be given the official treatment and released to CD. This collection includes the entire studio recordings of The Nerves and each track has been painstakingly digitally re-mastered for the best possible sound.

The Nerves formed in 1974 and disbanded in 1977. The Nerves were a DIY band and funded their own tours and recordings, without any record deals. Selling albums to record stores in the U.S. and Canada and from the back of their van, The Nerves managed to leave a lasting impression on the music world. Paul Collins managed the band and booked their shows. Paul, Peter and Jack opened their own club in Hollywood, showcasing their own concerts from the latest and greatest punk and indie bands during the late 1970s. The Nerves' best known song Hanging On The Telephone, has been covered by Cat Power, Def Leppard and Blondie, who instantly heard the The Nerves EP and were impressed. This CD includes The Nerves 4 song EP in its entirety, in addition to 16 additional tracks that would have comprised future albums, had The Nerves stayed together.

When The Nerves broke up, Paul Collins formed The Beat and The Breakaways with Peter Case, who would later form The Plimsouls and eventually win a Grammy award for his solo material. Jack Lee pursued a solo career and wrote songs for artists such as UK singer Paul Young. The Paul Collins Beat and The Plimsouls would both be featured on early MTV, but The Nerves would carry their legendary status from indie rock fans, hipsters, record collectors and word of mouth.