1983 – Slash
Post-Punk/Alternative/ Folk-Rock
The debut self-titled Violent Femmes record really is something to behold. From the instantly recognizable opening bars of Blister In The Sun through to the softness of Good Feeling an even through the two bonus tracks included on the CD I was just hooked. The whole thing is just so intricate and tight in its approximate playing and so amazingly raucous and loud for its acoustic simplicity.
There is just something about the music on this record that creates a wonderfully intense atmosphere of joyous depression and slightly smiling rage; it’s as if a bunch of punks got together at a folk festival and decided to have a few laughs. Please Do Not Go, for example, just works brilliantly with its folked up roots-reggae, but there is a definite undertone of snarky irreverence that really makes it that much more enjoyable, and Add It Up is a delicious mixture of raw acoustic punk and waling blues.
I’m actually finding it rather difficult to write about this record, mainly because it is so hard to find fault with it. I don’t even have the issue with Gordon Gano’s voice that I had while listening to Hallowed Ground. I guess one might say that some of the tracks have a tendency to ramble on a bit and lose their structure, but with only a couple of tracks actually exceeding four minutes I can’t really see that as much of problem, and personally the wandering structure of tracks like Gimme The Car and Confessions actually add something to the feeling of the album overall. I mean, tight three and half minute songs are all well and good, but sometimes it is nice to hear a band open up and let loose with their influences and jams.
I suppose, when it comes right down to it, all I can really say about Violent Femmes is that it’s damn near perfect as a record, and one which I would definitely recommend to any and all who have even a fleeting interest in music. It’s both raw and tender, experimental and accessible, great fun to dance to and beautiful to listen for its musical merit; really it is just an amazing piece of work. I just can’t recommend it highly enough.
RATING: *****/5
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- Dresden Dolls Drummer Brian Viglione Joins The Violent Femmes (noise11.com)
- Victor DeLorenzo Explains His Departure From Violent Femmes (noise11.com)
- Violent Femmes playing Central Park before Riot Fest (dates & BrooklynVegan presale) (brooklynvegan.com)
- Violent Femmes replace drummer Victor DeLorenzo w/ a Dresden Doll; Victor issues statement (brooklynvegan.com)
Filed under: Five Star Records, Music review
