The MG Album Club - #16: Violent Femmes - S/T

[lpfreak1170]

Violent Femmes - S/T (1983)


Not much to be said about this one. Considered a classic, and I would agree. This was one of my first tastes of "alternative" music, but I had no idea about that at the time...I just knew I really liked it and the lyrics and music were pretty different than what I was listening to at the time.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

I first heard this in high school when I was introduced to it by some girls I was friends with. I was already into punk and stuff like Sonic Youth, so it wasn't a stretch for me or anything. I enjoyed it then and still enjoy it today. Never got tired of it.

easy.

 

[Nickyboy]

This was played every third track or so at my college radio station when it came out. Great energy with a stripped down sound. Loved it then, but must admit if I never hear it again after this playing, I will be fine with that.

4/5 stars for me.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

This is an album that I would have loved in college - Nicky mentions the "great energy with a stripped down" - perfect description. Great attitude that would appeal to a teen.

However, I never heard this is high school or college - I'm not saying I never heard "Blister in the Sun". I must have, right? But for some reason, I never came across this album. When did I finally hear it? In 2010 actually - I remember hearing "Blister in the Sun" on the radio thinking "What a cool, ballsy song!" Checked out the album (I'm sure my early MG-days made me more eager to check out music too) and (as my last.fm records confirmed) scrobbled the Femmes 94 times that year.

It seems unusual (at less with me) that this kind of album should hit me so hard and become a favorite that I spin several times per years at age 40+, but it just did. In fact, when compiling a personal Top 100 album a couple years back, this one was on my list. I can't think of many albums I've encountered at this age that I have embraced so much.



Even introduced my 18 yo to this last year - I believe he since picked it up on vinyl
Great pick, LPFreak!

 

[Ojai Sam]

Spotify link:

 

[Ojai Sam]

It seems unusual (at less with me) that this kind of album should hit me so hard and become a favorite that I spin several times per years at age 40+, but it just did. In fact, when compiling a personal Top 100 album a couple years back, this one was on my list. I can't think of many albums I've encountered at this age that I have embraced so much.

Interesting observation, Zeeb. During my 40’s I went many years without adding any new music to my favorites. Then MG came along and opened up my head. I haven’t been the same since.

 

[axolotl]

Interesting observation, Zeeb. During my 40’s I went many years without adding any new music to my favorites. Then MG came along and opened up my head. I haven’t been the same since.

There's a patch for that.

 

[Ojai Sam]

There's a patch for that.

So I’ve heard.

 

[Ojai Sam]

Apropos my previous comment, I learned about this record right here at MG. Back in the day I was into roots revival, not alternative. last.fm tells me I've played this one thrice and I enjoy it more each time around. Sly humor and adolescent vulnerability give VF an engaging freshness.

on the Sam-O-Meter.

 

[Old Uncle Toe]

I listened to this yesterday. I've known the name Violent Femmes for years but never got around to listening to them. I remember hearing Blister in the Sun on the radio but didn't realize who the band was.

This was a fun listen. It's kind of an amazing bridge between punk and Americana. I'm going to try to stay focused and listen to more of their albums -- I'd like to hear where they went from here. But I'm afraid I'll get tired of the punk nuances. That's another genre that never really grabbed me.

Great pick, LPf. Whether or not I follow up with more of their albums, I'm glad to know who these guys are and have listened to this ground breaker.

 

[lpfreak1170]

I came so close to picking The Final Cut.

 

[axolotl]

I came so close to picking The Final Cut.

Don't pick it. It'll get infected.

Spoiler

Or, as OUT says, Stop picking at that. What are you, a banjo player?

 

[axolotl]

I liske this album, overall. I was not immediately attracted to it, back in the day (and first few years after its release).

Still, I liked the great energy, stripped-down (TM Reserved, Nickyboy) feel of it, and thought it would be an ideal album for vinyl playback.

I have to say, thought, that it starts to drag for me by the end, and I find it unsustainable at times.

So, I give it , with an occasional upturn to , depending on nothing more than my change in mood.