VIOLENT FEMMES

This CD is loaded with great tracks but the reissue from Concord Music Group reminds me of the old days when we used to make mixed tapes, often from recordings off the radio. There is some sort of issue getting the tracks to launch on occasion. There is no track data on the disc so no "smart" disc players can display this info. And last but not least, tracks 11 and 12 (supposedly bonus tracks) are recorded at half volume...

The Violent Femmes' 1983 self-titled debut is one of the most groundbreaking, important, influential, and enjoyable albums ever released, a musical testament that speaks to all dispossessed souls then, now, and probably forever. Teenagers were particularly drawn to this music in the band's early years, at least those who were fortunate enough to learn of these extraordinary three guys from Milwaukee. I will always associate my angst-filled teen years with groups such as the Violent Femmes, The Cure, and The Smiths because these guys seemed to relate to my own anxieties and frustrations in a way no one around me possibly could. This quirky, uniquely acoustic music has always spoken to those who feel set apart from those around them, who ask questions that no one else asks, and wonder why no one understands them. Over twenty years later, this album is still influencing those of us who grew up with Gordon Gano, Brian Ritchie, and Victor Delorenzo, but even more incredibly it continues to have a real impact on the next generation of young people searching for meaning in a confusing world.The original album featured ten songs, every single one of which rates as an anthem in my book. No college party would ever have been complete without the blasting out of such tracks as Blister in the Sun, Kiss Off, or Add it Up. The true heart of the group revealed itself on songs such as Promise, Prove My Love, and Gone Daddy Gone, while Please Do Not Go took me places I had never been before. Confessions is a bravely honest song set amidst a musical backdrop of sometimes pure cacophony. Then there was Good Feeling, a beautiful, almost happy song that sounded like nothing else on the album. Two songs Gordon Gano recorded over in London, Ugly and fan favorite Gimme the Car, were soon added onto the end of the album, but the group always intended for Good Feelings to close out the album.What a joy to discover that I and all Violent Femmes fans would be celebrating the album's twentieth birthday with the release of a very special deluxe edition. The inclusion of nine demo versions of some of the group's most classic songs is a cause for celebration in and of itself (although I should point out that one of these, Waiting For the Bus, can be found on VF's Add it Up compilation album). But the fun doesn't stop there, as you get a full CD of unreleased live performances from the guys in their earliest days (one track, Special, was issued as a flexi-disc in Alternative Press magazine, but I can't imagine many fans have that little keepsake in their VF collections). Many of the live tracks included here date back to the group's very first year of existence (1981), and the majority of them pre-date the actual recording of the debut album in July 1982. I saw these guys perform live in 1989, and they were awesome, but the truly special live recordings released here for the first time possess a feeling and atmosphere actually surpassing what I experienced first-hand. The first four live tracks, featuring a lot of interaction between the musicians and the audience, were recorded in Milwaukee in September 1981; it sounds like the guys are just playing for a group of friends, with a lot of laughter and fun spread throughout the performance. One audience member, for example, calls out "That's some sad stuff" during Country Death Song, and Gano playfully asks "Can I start now?" over the audience's voices at the beginning of Never Tell. This song, I must say, is worth the price of the album all by itself; it resonates with the type of somber power than defined and distinguished The Violent Femmes at their grittiest best. In the midst of its serious nature, though, Gano uses his voice to supply the saxophone riffs for his absent sax player, bringing the house down with laughter. The next four tracks are taken from a performance in Milwaukee in December 1981, and these are followed by five songs taken from a live gig in New York in January 1983. Never Tell, Her Television, How Do You Say Goodbye, and In Style stand out as four noteworthy songs heard here for the first time. The final two tracks come from a 1982 appearance by VF on Michael Feldman's radio program. The newly-discovered musical trio shows just how funny each of them can be during a four-minute interview before delighting the crowd with a rousing rendition of Kiss Off.I would be remiss not to mention another cool bonus of this deluxe edition. You get a book containing a number of vintage photos, a story of the group's amazing journey from performing on the Milwaukee streets to recording their first album on borrowed funds to hitting the jackpot of success at Slash Records in 1983. There are also comments about each of the album's original ten songs by Gordon, Brian, and Victor. This deluxe edition of VF's self-titled debut reinforces and cements the group's originality, lasting influence, and musical genius, and there are so many extras included in this two-disc set that I cannot conceive of a Violent Femmes fan who has not already updated his/her musical library to include it long before now.

I have the original 2002 2 CD Remaster, and this asian label Remaster sounds better. Their first two CD's are really cool (the other one is Hallowed Ground, also an excellent Remaster from an asian label). I don't really care that much for any of the other CD's by the Violent Femmes.

One awesome record.Listen the Violent Femmes greatest hits CD does not run as smooth as this first release of theirs. There self titled album was and is the quintessential album . It's almost all you ever need. This album rips it up from start to finish. Every song. This is a favorite CD of an era gone but so good to hear this straight through again. I forgot there was much more than the 1st few great songs.

Rhino has another Great Remaster on there list of Great Remasters. I wish more Vinyl went to Rhino for Remastering. I have never heard a really bad record from them. This is a all time favorite LP that not only sounds Great it sounds better than the original copy I have. You cannot go wrong with this Violent Femmes Master Piece. The Dynamics are on par with the best. The recording is Dead Silent. What more can you ask for? I am telling you this is a must have for any Violent Femmes Fan.

I remember the first time I heard this album. I loved it immediately. Still love it over 20 years later except it's better now because I can sing along. The Femmes were such an essential part of my teens and 20s. This album is a classic. Well worth the money. If you like alternative music with a bit of an edge music this is a great album. And if you're like me and haven't heard the songs in a while, it may be worth another listen, it was well worth it for me.

This has always been my favorite VF album, though songs from others rate higher for me. I was looking forward to this album and the first play was very satisfying! A few stand-out sections that came to life on vinyl (to my ear) include:the xylophone on Gone Daddy Gone, they just come alivethe percussive word craft by Gano on Add it Upand the sound stage across both sides, especially on Do Not GoThose are all A side tracks, but the sound truly is a joy throughout this version (vinyl).

Of course, amazing. If you don't know this album already then you must purchase. I don't know if any album that can cause a group of people who know the songs to erupt into chorus whether the songs are playing or not. This is how clever and catchy and timeless this is. Don't hesitate, you will be rewarded. Also, it only gets better and better as you play over time.

Really good value for money. I've loved this album for over 20 years. The overall recording and CD audio quality beats MP3 hands down. Having said that - most people that admire this band would probably have more or less drowned that cliche over a beer/vodka/wine or ten long before now!

A much underrated band, and their one hit "Blister in the Sun" is of course brilliant. Have a listen if you don't know them, it is worth it.

The album is a classic of eighties American alternative music and should be in the collection of EVERYBODY! A real treasure that still sounds fresh over thirty years since it was originally released, I bet you'll already know at least three of the songs on it.

Classic

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