The Murmurs have been described variously as “New York’s latest alternative sensations,” “the darlings of the urban singer-songwriter set” and “the acoustic voice of the twentysomething generation.” Whatever you call them, it’s apparent that Heather Grody and Leisha Hailey — who combinde infectious melodies, sweet harmonies and insightful lyrics with a refreshing lack of cynicism — represent an original and timely new musical force. With affectingly direct self-penned songs melding youthful enthusiasm with ageless wisdom, the Murmurs deliver a message of tolerance, hope and positivity. If their MCA Records debut album, The Murmurs, is any indication, these two 22-year-olds are well on their way to success, on their own gently uncompromising terms.

Heather and Leisha have been a much-loved fixture in New York’s volatile music scene for over three years. The pair first began performing together in the summer of 1991, while both were studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. “We met on the first day of school,” Leisha recalls, “and we hated each other at first. I was trying to be Miss Stanislavski-Actress-Know-It-All, and Heather was Miss Ethel-Merman-I-Wanna-See-My-Name-In-Lights. But one night we connected, and we’ve been soulmates ever since.”

The Murmurs made their performing debut at an exhibition/party staged by the Open Window Theater Group in a performance space under the Williamsburg Bridge. It didn’t take long for the Murmurs’ endearingly uncontrived club shows and their informal performances in local parks and subway stations — not to mention their independently-released debut album Who Are We– to make an impression on the local music scene. In additition to being recognized as one of the leading lights of the current East Village performance renaissance, Heather and Leisha garnered considerable national press coverage — quite an impressive feat for an act without a major-label deal.

“It’s progressed really quickly, but organically,” Heather states. “It almsot feels like we’ve been sent on a mission. We look at this like it was totally meant to happen.”

Along with the Murmurs’ effortless personal and musical chemistry came the pair’s passionately humanistic lyrical message, which emerged naturally from their personal concerns. “We just started to realize that we were in a position where we could speak to all these people, and that we should take that responsibility seriously,” Leisha recalls. “We’re not claiming to have all the answers, but we definitely feel like we can be an example.”

“We don’t really have any specific message,” Heather adds. “It’s just about being real, being true to yourself and following your dreams. We’re not perfect and we’re not politically correct. We’re just human and open minded.”

In recording The Murmurs, Heather and Leisha sought to capture the spontaneity and spirit of their live performances with a clean, immediate sound based around their voices and guitars. “We added bass and drums in the studio, but we kept it mainly acoustic,” says Heather. “We felt that it was important to get the feeling of our live shows on record.”

Occasionally, co-producers Roger Greenawalt, Billy Basinski and Larry Klein sweetened the mix, adding subtly delicious layers of piano, cello, oboe, mandolin, saxophone, even ocarina and uillean pipes on top of Heather and Leisha’s acoustic guitars and vocals. It’s an intoxicating brew that filters through the album’s featured tracks — “You Suck,” “Bad Mood” and “Mission” — as well as songs such as “Basically,” “Wastin Time,” “Carry Me Home,” “Untouchable,” “Neverending,” “Ticket to Zen,” “Bumble Bees,” “All I Need to Know,” and “Beautiful Peace.”

As for the future, the Murmurs’ plans embody a characteristic combination of ambition and whimsicality. Their immediate plans involve getting out and playing live for as many people as possible. They’re particularly excited by the prospect of playing for younger audiences. “We’ve mainly only played for people over 21, so the idea of playing for the college crowd really excites us,” says Heather.

The Murmurs view their new role as major-label recording artists with typical enthusiasm. “We get the sense that people are ready for a big change in music,” says Heather. “I think people are hungry for things that are raw and real, and we’re not gonna be the only ones. We invite everybody to hop onto the Murmur train.” (circa 1995)

Lyrics, anyone?