Teeming with teenage angst, punk sensibilities, and Violent Femmes’ own special brand of jittery folk-rock, the trio’s self-titled 1981 debut “Violent Femmes” became a cult favourite. Featuring the anthems “Blister in the Sun,” “Please Do Not Go,” “Gone Daddy Gone,” and “Add It Up.” This expanded 40th anniversary edition features a trove of rare demos, live tracks, and more. The 3-LP + 7″ Set is expanded 40th anniversary edition of Violent Femmes’ self-titled debut featuring the remastered album, plus B-sides, live sessions, and rare demos. Housed in a lift-top box with die-cut darkened window detail revealing the box contents, the set includes three 180-gram LPs plus a replica 7″ single, along with a book featuring new liner notes by journalist David Fricke and interviews with the band.
One of the most distinctive records of the early alternative movement and an enduring cult classic, Violent Femmes weds the geeky, child-man persona of Jonathan Richman and the tense, jittery, hyperactive feel of new wave in an unlikely context: raw, amateurish acoustic folk-rock. The music also owes something to the Modern Lovers’ minimalism, but powered by Brian Ritchie’s busy acoustic bass riffing and the urgency and wild abandon of punk rock, the Violent Femmes forged a sound all their own
Still, the main reason Violent Femmes became the preferred soundtrack for the lives of many an angst-ridden teenager is lead singer and songwriter Gordon Gano.
Naive and childish one minute, bitterly frustrated and rebellious the next, Gano’s vocals perfectly captured the contradictions of adolescence and the difficulties of making the transition to adulthood.
Clever lyrical flourishes didn’t hurt either; while “Blister In the Sun” has deservedly become a standard, “Kiss Off”‘s chant-along “count-up” section, “Add It Up”‘ escalating “Why can’t I get just one…” couplets, and “Gimme the Car” profanity-obscuring guitar bends ensured that Gano’s intensely vulnerable confessions of despair and maladjustment came off as catchy and humorous as well.
Even if the songwriting slips a bit on occasion, Gano’s personality keeps the music engaging and compelling without overindulging in his seemingly willful naiveté.
Reflecting on the album’s 40th anniversary, bassist Brian Ritchie shares: “I am frequently stopped on the street by people who tell me, ‘Your album changed my life,’ or some variant. I don’t have to ask, ‘Which album?’ because it is implied that they’re talking about the first one. The uncanny thing is that these people range from early teens to septuagenarians, and they all have the same testimony.”
Ritchie adds, “Sometimes music is more than just a pleasing sound that entertains. It takes on greater meaning. Multiple generations have found the songs to be relevant in their life situations. Some people say they had sex for the first time listening to it (which I find appalling but whatever) and someone even said, ‘I was conceived to your music.’ Wow.”
Includes the classic anthems “Blister in the Sun,” “Please Do Not Go,” “Gone Daddy Gone,” and “Add It Up.”
The Fat Angel Sings 