VIOLENT FEMMES - VIOLENT FEMMES

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

RYAN ADAMS - EASY TIGER

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