It’s sort of shocking Violent Femmes debut album came out all the way back in 1983. It sounds more 90’s alternative rock than the majority of actual 90’s alternative rock bands, and in retrospect became one of the most influential alternative albums that effectively kickstarted the genre that would take over the mainstream world a decade later. This was a sound before its time.
Violent Femmes is perfectly neurotic and jittery and self deprecating. Lead vocalist Gordon Gano has a real way of making you feel like he’s working through a therapy session in real-time, and when his vocals and jangly guitars get thrown into the mix with the almost comically tone-heavy thump of Brian Ritchie’s acoustic bass and Victor DeLorenzo’s snare-heavy drum patterns it all comes together quite nicely. Underneath all the lo-fi chaos it also becomes quite clear that Violent Femmes have a penchant for writing incredibly catchy songs. The iconic “Blister In The Sun” drives that point home with gusto.
Standout Songs: “Blister In The Sun”, “Prove My Love”, “Kiss Off”
