Violent Femmes

VIOLENTO DEMAIS

Today's record was a hell of a surprise, given the fact that I'd never listened to Violent Femmes stuff until today. From what I've read, they are classed as folk punk, which is exactly what this is. I was struggling to give it a genre, but it is acoustic with a driving bassline on most songs.

I never thought I'd say these words, but the xylophone solo in Gone Daddy Gone is awesome! I thought that the band name sounded familiar when I started listening to the album this morning, and learned that Violent Femmes was featured in the song Gotta Get to Peekskill off of the Dropkick Murphy's new album Okemah Rising. I also learned that Blister in the Sun was used in a Wendy's commercial in 2007. The band couldn't agree on how best to set up the usage/royalties, and it ended up becoming a huge lawsuit, and resulted in the breaking up of the band until 2013.

Overall, another fantastic "found band and album". From never having heard of them, to a fan of their stuff, this is what this generator is all about. Thoroughly enjoyed today's album!

Favourite songs: Gone Daddy Gone, Blister in the Sun, Ugly, Good Feeling, Prove My Love, Add It Up, Please Do Not Go

Least favourite songs: Gimme the Car

4/5

i only knew blister in the dun ofc but the whole album is nice

For obvious reasons, I always assumed Violent Femmes were a feminist hardcore punk band and never realised they were the guys who did "Go Wild" from the Grosse Pointe Blank soundtrack. Now I know! The album is pretty good too, I like their more laid-back and fun take on punk.

I'd kinda heard of Violent Femmes, but wasn't overly familiar, then I'd listened to this album a few times last year and really enjoyed it. 4.5

I've never really gotten the fuss about this album, apart from Blister in the Sun. I understand that it's an important early alternative album and would influence many bands in the years following. In retrospect though, it's a bit immature and boring in places.

Fun album. Blister in the Sun is one of those songs where I didn't know the name and then immediately said, "I know this!" Good song. I enjoyed pretty much every track. Not groundbreaking (unless there had never been punk folk before?), but a fun listen. Favorite tracks: Blister in the Sun, Kiss Off, Please Do Not Go (great bass break in the middle), Add It Up. Good stuff - I'd definitely listen again.

Nice album. Definitely a reference for future bands that came after it.

I hadn't listened to this in far too long.

I actually know this album pretty well, as my mother would play it constantly as I grew up. Despite now questioning if this was the best lineup of songs for a child to be listening to, this album is excellent. The song has a great presence of punk that a lot of folk "punk" bands miss. It certainly feels just like raw emotions, and sounds good doing it. Are the lyrics questionable? Absolutely, but I'd say not understanding that that's the point would be a major disservice to this album. Every song just knows exactly what beats to hit when needed, and ending on a slower, melancholy note really wraps it all up. Just wonderful.

what a great album! I had been burned out on some of the classics (Blister, Gone Daddy) but I really enjoyed the other songs far more than I expected to. 4.5/5

wow - really liked this more than i thought i would

Oh wow, I had no idea this album was as old as this. So, clearly an inspiration point for a lot of the stuff being done in the late 80s/early 90s, just to pull from stuff I’ve covered from the generator, I’m hearing Pixies and Green Day in this. But Violent Femmes doing it a lot better imo.

Not at all what I expected, but not in a good way. Nothing memorable or catchy here, after the first track, and nothing especially bad either. The definition of mediocre.

Definitely reminds me of Jonathan Richman with the strangely intense sincerity, the vulnerable vocal delivery peppered with practiced emotional stammering, the old timey backup vocals, and the generally upbeat but cleverly knowing sound they have going.

Despite these similarities it somehow comes across as completely original. Perhaps it's the strangely poetic and playful lyrics that definitely have a darker edge than Richman's, or perhaps it's the quiet loud dynamics and the way they can play with what seems like wild abandon and then just stop and focus it and go in a completely different direction on a dime. Or perhaps it's just that acoustic bass. Holy Shit.

You can also tell who was listening and influenced by this (Frank Black and The Pixies). A huge link between some of the more cult acts of 70s and college rock and the alternative and indie rock that followed.

Blister In The Sun! Great bass work on the album and is really a treat to listen to. Excellent sonic balance. Ugly is a great, loud, and loose track.