Probably the most recognizable songs from the Violent Femmes repertoire show up on this release. I suspect it's also the band's most successful recording to date. Subsequent releases have failed to come to my attention, but most of these tracks are 80's classics. Arguably the most famous song, 'Blister In The Sun' starts off the record at a romping pace. Gordon Gano delivers this ode to pre-ejaculation with as straight laced a vocal as one can expect. In fact, unless you're paying close attention to the song, the lyrics are quite vague and wouldn't even make you think of sex. It's followed up by 'Kiss Off', probably the second most famous Femmes track. During the volatile early 80's when Punk was transforming into the New Romantic or New Wave sound, there was a musical void desperate to be filled and bands like the Femmes combined Americana rock with teenage angst to create a different sound that eventually found a home with alternative country artists like Ryan Adams, Old 97s, Whiskeytown and even some Honky Tonk singers like Wayne Hancock. You can also hear them in the sound of Norah Jones. Mainly from her time with Lee Alexander and you can hear them sometimes in the lyrics of Billy Corgan from Smashing Pumpkins.
'Please Do Not Go' is the group's first attempt at a slow song. I say slow, but it's more of a meandering stroll, making it's way along the neck of the bass guitar. The lyrics tell the story of a man trying to win the heart of his love back. But seriously, if I was leaving and someone sang me a song like this to get me to stay, I'd be running for the hills. Hehehe. 'Add It Up' starts off with Gano singing sadly in the background. Then here comes that driving tempo again. Another classic tune and another well known track from this record. 'Confessions' really is a slow tune in every sense of the word. However, like 'Please Do Not Go', it kinda rambles. There is a strange urgency in the vocal delivery. Gano seems on the verge of revealing something, but never really lets you in on his secret. Once again, the beat picks up with 'Prove My Love'. This is my personal favorite. I love the description of the relationship and the confusion he feels when he sings, "what do I have to do, to prove my love to you."
'Promise' continues the beat. Another excellent tempo tune with an interesting vocal delivery. 'To The Kill' borders on freeform jazz in some ways. The music takes a minute to find a groove, but when it does, it falls into that same half ballad slow song mix we've already heard twice on the record. They perfect this approach on later albums. This particular track has an extremely disjointed feel to the music and I believe the intent is to keep the listener off guard and not knowing what to expect. 'Gone Daddy Gone' introduces a xylophone into the musical mix and is probably the most radio friendly of all the songs on the record. This song would be great for greaser bands or even a Honky Tonk band to cover. I really love this tune. 'Good Feeling' brings in a piano and has the odd feeling of a hymn. You can imagine the song being sung in church. Well if it had anything to do with religion. But like the other songs on this record, it deals with unfaithful lovers, problematic relationships and sex.
This cd release features a couple of unreleased bonus tracks. The first, 'Ugly' sounds like a 50's rock track you'd hear in a soundtrack to a John Waters' film. 'Gimme The Car' is another slower paced tune, but it features some really great guitar playing and I actually love it.
So the Femmes are an interesting band with strange lyrics, odd arrangements and minimalist sound. Altogether, it's quite effective and worth listening to. If you remember this little corner of 80's history, you should pick up this release and enjoy it! It's worth the purchase. My final words: IT ALL ADDS UP!
VIOLENT FEMMES - VIOLENT FEMMES
01. Blister In The Sun
02. Kiss Off
03. Please Do Not Go
04. Add It Up
05. Confessions
06. Prove My Love
07. Promise
08. To The Kill
09. Gone Daddy Gone
10. Good Feeling
11. Ugly
12. Gimme The Car
