Optic Nerve - Penelope Tuesday/Here to Stay

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 23 / 10 / 2015

Label: State Records
Format: 7"

intro

Fine limited vinyl only single from 60's-influenced Brooklyn-based band the Optic Nerve, which is only their third single since they first formed in the 1980s

The Optic Nerve only lasted two years in their original lifetime between 85-87, mainly not playing outside of their native Brooklyn, and in that time they only released two singles. The main songwriter was Bobby Belfiore while Tony Matura sang. In 2004, they reunited and recorded an album that remains unreleased, but a further ten years down the line these tracks - the best from that unreleased work - have finally made it out as a 7" single. 'Penelope Tuesday' is a hip beat-flavoured tune, worthy of the young, early and hungry the Who or the Kinks, It is a cool retro number with enough jangle to please any mod of then or now. 'Here to Stay' is much more reflective, like an unreleased back page of the Byrds, while being stripped right down and as elegant as say 1969-era Velvet Underground. Slow and soft with perfect harmonies, it is, like its other side, a perfect addition to their little output so far.

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