skip to main |
skip to sidebar
This album came out in 1982. I remember discovering this band in junior high school. So many kids were listening to them. I think because they used some naughty words. Seems like when you're a kid, hearing someone swear is pretty intense. Of course these days, I don't even pay attention to language like that. It just kinda slides past me. So what can I say about this record? It wasn't the first Femmes tape I bought. The first one was "Hallowed Ground"; which is actually the band's second release. But it was the first one I was exposed to. The band consists of guitar, bass and drums. What the musical trio lack in inventive sound, they make up for with interesting lyrics, rapid paced music and infectious melodies. As simple as it is, this is one record you can readily sing along with and really jam.
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
Beth Orton came into my field of vision through The Chemical Brothers. They collaborated with her on a couple songs. She always had an interesting voice, but her tone and delivery are so subtle it never really caught my attention. I finally saw her perform on the television show Charmed and that was what really caught my attention. Her performance was so stoic and simple. She came across unassuming and completely lacking the pretentious flash and glamour of a rock star. In that shiny moment, I realized she was something completely different.
Orton's approach to this record is much like the cover photo... It's real and genuine, yet looks so much like a watercolor painting you catch yourself second guessing and taking another look. The music is beautiful, passionate and full while at the same time coming across like something non-committal. She leaves you almost wondering what comes next. 'Paris Train' is the opening track. Between the flowing, yet dismal pace of the song, you catch a glimpse of something Orton is setting you up to discover. She narrates her songs as much as sings them. There's a story happening here. The most beautiful line is, "I see right through the scenery". That line to me is perfect for how one views the world outside a train window. It slips past you so quickly it seems surreal. The follow-up number 'Concrete Sky' features Ryan Adams on vocals. It's a ballad but the combination of the two singers make it a compelling number. I really enjoy this number. 'Mount Washington' is an odd number but it has a wonderful chorus that redeems it. 'Anywhere' has a 70's soul feel to it. Orton sings it with sincerity and delivers a lovely performance once again, salvaging a potential stinker of a number and making it sweet. 'Daybreaker' is the odd man out on this record. It sounds more like something The Chemical Brothers would do for her than something Beth would choose for herself.
'Carmella' is the first truly infectious song of the album. The guitar strums in and Beth starts singing in falsetto before the meat of the verse kicks in. She gives it a driving stare and it transforms into something truly amazing. 'God Song' features a duet with Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams appears again offering some background support. It's a down home kinda song, but it's lovely at the same time. Orton proves even as an British pop singer, she can hold her own with American superstars of country music. The next song is actually written by Ryan Adams for Beth. It's called 'This One's Gonna Bruise' and it's magnificent. That's almost an unfair statement when you consider how much I normally love Ryan and his material. But Orton takes the number and makes it her own without sacrificing the integrity of the music.
'Ted's Waltz' is another minor keyed number that's off center and strange right up until Orton's light voice caresses the music and gives it some heart. She transforms a lackluster number into something truly beautiful. The last cut, 'Thinking About Tomorrow' is one of my favorite songs of hers ever. I love the chorus, "This habit's so hard to break but it's easy to make..." Truly insightful and wonderful.
Beth is on my radar and I'm following her work now. Loving what I'm hearing and really getting into her. She's brilliant. My final words: PEACEFUL SERENITY.
BETH ORTON - DAYBREAKER
01. Paris Train
02. Concrete Sky
03. Mount Washington
04. Anywhere
05. Daybreaker
06. Carmella
07. God Song
08. This One's Gonna Bruise
09. Ted's Waltz
10. Thinking About Tomorrow
I was introduced to Ryan by a friend in Las Vegas. He loved Whiskeytown (Ryan's first band), and through his appreciation, I developed a fascination with this talented and prolific songwriter. Though he's not one of those classically trained vocalists... there's a sincerity to his sound that reaches right into your soul. He's real and his voice often relaxes my heart when I'm feeling stressed or upset.
There's a thousand reasons why I bought this disc. One of which is the studio version of 'These Girls'. Previously thought to be titled, 'Hey There, Mrs. Lovely', this track circulated among collectors on various live recordings. I hate to admit it, but I find the original live takes far superior to the studio version. The lyrics seem to flow better.
Of course I intend to get all of Ryan's stuff at some point. I'm just working my way there. Most of what I own I've purchased used, but this one I bought brand new.
The first song, 'Goodnight Rose' is somewhat out of place with the rest of the disc. It's my least favorite cut. However, 'Two' comes in right after and restores my faith in Ryan's talents. "It takes two when it used to take one..." Such amazing lyrics. 'Halloweenhead' is awesome and fits perfectly after 'Everybody Knows'. I love the track. What an interesting idea. I could easily go through this entire disc and discuss the songs one by one, but there's too much to say. For an artist as prolific as Ryan (his output rivals even Prince), it's amazing how many songs are excellent quality.
My stand out favorites are 'Two', 'Oh My God, Whatever, Etc.', 'The Sun Also Sets', 'Rip Off', 'Two Hearts' and 'These Girls'. In the end you have another Ryan Adams classic release.
If you've never heard of him or listened to other alternative country artists, do yourself a huge favor and look him up. Whether you're listening to him sitting on a covered porch smoking weed in a rainstorm, or driving down the interstate through Las Vegas in a pickup truck he'll have you tapping your feet and singing along at the top of your lungs. It's all about connecting to something real; and this American songwriter is all about writing what's real. My final word: SATISFYING.
RYAN ADAMS - EASY TIGER
01. Goodnight Rose
02. Two
03. Everybody Knows
04. Halloweenhead
05. Oh My God, Whatever, Etc.
06. Tears Of Gold
07. The Sun Also Sets
08. Off Broadway
09. Pearls On A String
10. Rip Off
11. Two Hearts
12. These Girls
13. I Taught Myself How To Grow Old
