Violent Femmes

Notable Textzeile: People worry What are they worrying about today? Seem like there's a good reason To worry, worry, worry Das ist für mich eine ganz großartige Entdeckung für mich. Ich sehe wie hier etwas entsteht, das später Grunge, aber z.B. auch die MSPs beeinflusst. Das ist simple, eingängig, seltsam genug um nicht mainstream zu sein, durchaus catchy, nimmt sich nicht zu ernst - macht aus seinen wenigen Instrumenten und begrenzter musikalischer und stimmlicher Qualität sehr viel. Mir fällt wenig ein weswegen ich da was abziehen sollte außer dass das natürlich keine "schöne" Musik ist.

Very good album. It has a pretty unique sound. I particularly like the bass playing. The lyrics are also pretty solid. Solid 4 star album based solely on my personal taste. May even reach 5 star if we take influence and distinctiveness into account. Some tracks I particularly enjoyed: "Blister In The Sun", "Please Do Not Go" (great prominent bass), "Add It Up", "Confessions" (nice "dark" departure from the rest of the album), "To The Kill", "Gone Daddy Gone" (of course, you have to love that xylophone), or "Good Feeling" (very nice closer for the first vinyl/cassette release). I also like "Gimme The Car" (in the CD release).

This was great - sounds years ahead of its time

Fantastic album. It's amazing how simple instrumentation can come together into complex songs.

Before it's time. Cracking stuff

I really liked this

This album is practically the soundtrack of my adolescence. It has a special place in my heart, but I was still a little surprised to find it on this list. One of the best albums ever? I assumed my fondness for the Violent Femmes was largely based on nostalgia, however, after a fresh listen I was reminded of how many solid bangers are on there. I love the bass player! There are also a few clunkers though. Overall a solid album, but I wouldn’t include it on a list of best albums ever. It gets five stars for cultural relevance but only three for musicality.

Loved it. The sound is so dirty and raw. Loved the lyrics.

The Violent Femmes' debut doesn't really fit into any alt rock scenes from the 80s, and it's better for it. Its acoustic guitars, thumping bass, and clattering drums still sound fresh and loose today. It's almost juvenilely simple, but the songwriting is strong enough to pull it together. Also juvenile? These lyrics, and Gordon Gano's vocals. As an adult the lyrics can sound a bit dramatic or silly, but think back to when you were younger and they'll make sense. Are they needy? Yes, but they're mostly directed inwards and are usually self-aware, which prevents them from feeling toxic. "Blister in the Sun" is a classic yes, and the climax of "Add It Up" is also a highlight. But the best song may be "Good Feeling," because sometimes even the good moments don't seem like enough.

You often hear that this album sounds like it came out of the 90's moreso than it did the 80's, and it really does sound that way for me as well. I really enjoyed this one, catchy and varied throughout. Not too long, too alternative but still in that sort of mainstream scope of alternative. Probably should listen to more Violent Femmes, is the main take away.

This was decent

Some good tracks I forgot about in here

Great album! One of my 80's favorites.

If you like a man who can barely sing singing about how he can’t get laid, over some instruments being played with very little precision then you’ll love this album

Annoying voice, poor rhythm. 4/10

Few things going for this but I didn't enjoy this record. I barely get any appeal from this one, some instrumentals are nice but the songs feel incohesive. Not my cup of tea.

Ich kann damit nichts anfangen. Klar, quirky und lo fi und damit bahnbrechend irgendwie, aber auch total eine Idee 15 mal durchgezogen (und von Jonathan Richman kopiert). Besonders stört mich, dass die coolen Gitarrenparts und komplexeren Harmonien total gimmicky wirken, weil sie immer pausieren müssen damit wir die jammernden Lyrics hören.

3,5 stars

Killer nostalgia. Great album.

Quirky folk

There is a lot of longing wrapped up in the lyrics of this album. I liked it overall but sometimes the vocals got a little bit grating. Overall a pretty good album and a seminal work for folk punk.

Super Nice akustisk punk album som er meget teenagepræget tekster som handler om sex og frustrationer men på en lidt mere pinlig og akavet måde som gør det lidt sjovt. Det er mest med fordi det ikke rigtig lyder som punk men stadig er punk så det viser det er mere et udtryk end en bestemt lyd. Det er virkelig fedt at høre punk blive blandet med akustiske instrumenter på den måde det kan jeg virkelig godt lide. Specielt xylophon på nogle af numrene og så er bassisten også rigtig god.

Wow, folk punk? Never knew that existed. Very interesting, I like the simplicity of it.

It has been said that Gordon Gano's best songs were written when he was a virgin. Exhibit A is Violent Femmes' self-titled debut.

This one's got all the hits!

Always wanted to buy this album because of "Blister in the Sun" - so glad I never did.

723/1001 2026.10.14 🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑

Fengte ikke Tror det er vokal og sjanger på disse gutta som er feil i dette albumet.

Den introen har eg hørt før and i love it. Litt sånn the Clash stemning. Like egt ikkje tekstene så godt

Niet voor mij

Blister in the sun is a classic, good listen overall

Really enjoy the album cover. Its got a funny story to it too, about paying this random 3y/o $100 to look inside a local window. The mom even told her there were animals in there so she would look more curious. Blister in the Sun is fantastic, I like Ugly and thats about it. Everything else is alright. Sometimes the public makes bad songs popular, but not this time, Blister in the Sun is a good pick. This album is great to have in the background while I was doing other things. Best Song: Blister in the Sun. Worst Song: Add It Up.

Couple gems on this album. Worth a listen

If I was asked when this album came out, I would be stunlocked. Violent Femmes’ self titled album was ahead of its time, released in 1983 and sounding like a modern tribute to 90’s music. Its acoustic punk sound — part rage, depression, and love — differentiates it from any other record. Many songs include catchy riffs and passionate vocals, each contributing to a varied experience. While some moments are less impactful than others, the large majority of the time is well used.

I really like the Violent Femmes, and honestly, I’m not entirely sure why! As someone else pointed out in their review, they sound like somebody’s kids raided their parents’ instruments, piled into a garage, and started playing whatever came to mind. Some songs are gloriously rough around the edges, but there’s something about that raw, almost awkward sound that just works. The acoustic bass and the weird vocals make them sound like absolutely nobody else. Maybe it’s the punk attitude or the fact that they sound like they couldn’t care less about playing by the rules. Whatever it is, this album has a strange, irresistible charm. It shouldn’t work as well as it does, but damn it, I like it!

This is a great listen. I vaguely heard of this band name and I indeed knew Blister in the sun which is a song I always liked a lot over the years but actually never really realized who was the artist behind it. It is raw, it is lo fi, it is honest. It sounds like an early 90s album but surprisingly it was already released in 1983, so way ahead of their time. I like the acoustic punk like vibe of it, and it had quite a unique sound. It is lo fi and probably recorded in a short time with zero budget

Decent punk

Damn fantastic

The Beach Boys if they were Evil

Number: 278 Familiarity: Extremely (5) Rating: 5 Before: ======= 5, no doubt. This is pretty much the opposite of what I had yesterday (Beyonce), which is nice. After : ======= Wow, every song is a 5. There aren't many albums like that. Probably only 10 or so on this list where I would say that every single song is a 5.

Ok

Better than I expected

3.5

Not for me.

Really and truly abismal. Did not enjoy a single minute of this album. Actually could be worse than the Libertines album I had last week. I already know and detest the song blister in the sun, which was severely overplayed on a local pirate rock and indie radio station. So it was absolutely horrific to be presented with an entire album of it on a Monday morning. 1/5

Just like the previous albums generated, I had never heard of this band or this album before going in. So this was a total blind listen for me. The first track, "Blister in the Sun," was actually a total bore to me, and I was pretty surprised to learn it’s the most popular song on the record. It felt like a bad start, but things finally picked up by the third track, "Please Do Not Go." That one was fun, energetic, and playful, and it is definitely my favorite song on the album. What really kept me from hitting the stop button was the lead singer. He’s definitely not the greatest vocalist, but he is just fun to listen to. He isn't monotonous like so many other folk singers I've heard—he treats every single track differently and brings a lot of personality to the song. Would I listen to the album again? Probably not. I have a lot of other artists in my library, and I’m honestly not sure what kind of mood I’d ever need to be in to put this on again. Would I recommend this album? Yes. If you're into indie, folk, or punk music, I think you'll like it. All in all, it’s a pretty great album and an enjoyable ride. The lead singer was an absolute blast to listen to—fun, expressive, and captivating from track to track. I’m giving it 4 out of 5 stars because while I really appreciated the experience, it’s just not something I see myself returning to on repeat.

Classic Punk/Rock. Creative and interesting. No easy listening, quite the opposite.

Good album

Quite a fun album, while not something I would normally listen to and not a genre I go to all the time, this was a good change of pace and I enjoyed it, it still sounds quite modern and you can definitely hear its influence on modern music.

Bändin nimi oli tuttu, tuotanto ei. Tää oli Lo-Fi rokkia ja muutama tarttuva biisi. Laulut oli hyviä.

yes

Classic album

I remember buying this on vinyl at a record store where I would get a job a year or so later. I'm pretty sure it wound up on my sisters wall when she was in high school :) Blister In The Sun now makes me thing of the movie Grosse Pointe Blank since it closed the film (not sure why its a strong memory) I like every track here with the exception of last one, Gimme The Car. Some stronger than others but overall a great record after so many years

A little cool.

Not what I would normally put on for myself but I appreciate how unhinged and authentic it is while having a pretty simple recipe. Some classic bangers on there.

Want to put a 3.5/5 but the damn thing won't let me. Banger album, does its thing and does it just right, very VU-inspired

did not like !

Apparently, last time I heard this, I gave it an 8/10… Unfortunately, I do not agree with my past self. I think it’s a strong debut and there’s definitely a distinct sound, but I don’t see myself ever having a Violent Femmes urge. Probably very nice in a live setting, though. Also I want an acoustic bass

raw, angsty, iconic

Some of the catchiest riffs. Normally not big into punk but memories of dancing and singing at the top of my lungs is still with me.

Who is this? A rural Franz Ferdinand?

I really enjoy how rough, raw, and unpolished this record is. Great energy to it.

Favorite Song: Kiss Off Least Favorite: Confessions

A formative album of my youth and especially my college years, there is no way I would give it less than full marks for its innovative and funny approach to acoustic punk that still feels as fresh today as it did in 1983! 5⭐️

I didn't know this kind of alt-rock even existed in the 80s. The characters in Worthikids' "Xylophone" animation were right when they said xylophones/marimbas are underutilized in rock music, because it is an interesting sound to accompany guitars and drums. It was interesting enough that I gave 'Gone Daddy Gone' another listen after finishing the album (and 'Kiss Off' because it started playing automatically). I wouldn't choose to listen to any of these songs again, but I wouldn't be bothered enough to stand up to turn off the radio if one of them came on (I don't have a radio, but if I did this would be the case).

Really enjoyed this one. I’ll definitely go back to it. I can’t believe this was made in the 80s.

Really enjoyed this! Folky-punk sound.

Acoustic punk is kind of a fun genre that is really good when it's good, but I'm sure there is a lot of bad versions that I'm glad I've never heard. This record is much more the former, even though the vocals feel like they're often in a different key.

Good album. I liked it more as a kid. Still was awesome think it has 2 bathces that didnt let it flow to perfection

I was previously familiar with Blister in the Sun but nothing else from the album. I enjoyed the album quite a bit. The songs are nice and the album as a whole flows well. There were parts that reminded me of Velvet Underground. I would listen again.

you are telling me this came out in NINETEEN EIGHTY THREE???????? 1983!!!!!!! WHAT! shocked was i to learn this came out long pre nirvana, pre radiohead, pre pumpkins and pre strokes. even pre love shack by the b-52s?!!!!! very ahead of its time, a couple genuinely jaw dropping solos. does get a liiiiiittle grating at like three points

Intro to Blister in the Sun is something I've heard dozens of times before without realizing. Very clearly the bones of indie music. Very sincere, very high school.

first track instantly recognizable (both predictable and familiar song), not necessarily good tho, i'm not into the country vibe i'd hope didn't continue throughout the album. luckily enough ig, the vocals and delivery (generic and kinda boring) became the worst part and was tolerable. just nothing standing out about all of this.

Great album!

A curious album ahead of its time, but I can't rate it higher than a 3 — I wouldn't say I'd want to return to this kind of music.

Mas o menos, solo conozco Blister in the sun y please dont go que son buenas, las demas mas o menos

Very solid album. Punk with acoustic guitar

i don't mind folk, but i can't stand punk - feels like such a reddit album

Violent Femmes has such a ’90s alternative sound that it’s kind of incredible this came out in 1983. I’ve always loved the sound of this band, and hearing the full album just gave me more to appreciate. I love the loose acoustic jamming, I love Gordon Gano’s vocals, but especially that acoustic bass. It’s such a distinctive part of the album. You can hear it creaking and groaning throughout, like Brian Ritchie is pushing the thing as hard as it can possibly go, and I absolutely love it. There’s also just this weird, scrappy quirkiness to the whole thing that makes it stand out. Of course, I loved hearing the songs I already knew from alternative radio, but there were plenty of other interesting moments throughout the album too. Some of the deeper cuts don’t hit quite as hard, but even then, the sound itself keeps things interesting. This is just such a cool and unique album. Listening to it now, it’s easy to hear how bands like Pixies and so many later indie and alternative acts would run with this kind of sound. Violent Femmes somehow feels completely tied to its own weird little world while also sounding years ahead of its time.

Not a big fan of the gitar in the background, but okay

I dig the Violent Femmes. They’ve got this way of making punk accessible by letting the melody lead and not turning into a wall of sound like a lot of other punk bands of the time. They’ve also got that cool underground almost island sound that sets them apart. This album showcases all of this.

This must have taken all of $50 to record but I love how everything sounds. It is an all-time great party album.

AN album I've been aware of for decades, without ever having consciously heard anything other than 'Blister in the Sun'. Well, this exercise changes all that. It's quite brilliant; the home-made feel to it all works only because they're genuinely excellent musicians - the bass in particular is astounding - and while a fondness for Jonathan Richman might be one of the reasons I've enjoyed this so much, it stands up completely on its own terms. Immediately goes on the 'must get myself a copy' list.

Loved the feeling of loneliness in this songs

Real gritty record. Awesome vibes but not perfect

Liked this a lot, very cool early punk. ART-I-FICIAL!

5 star banger. Saw them at the old Metro in Melbourne back in the day. What a show!

unexpectedly good

Iconic release from an somewhat underrated band.

Yeah it was good, I liked it!

When I first put this on, I had to double check that I was listening to the right album. It sounds way ahead of its time, more 90s alternative than early 80s music. I knew the first song immediately, "Blister In The Sun". It's a catchy pop-infused song, like several other ones on the album. The Wikipedia article says folk punk, but maybe that's just what 90s alternative can be sometimes. The lyrics are engaging and funny at times. I liked how unlike other 80s music this album sounded (those synths can be tiring).

I liked this one a lot

Nostalgia cuz this was the name of my hockey team

Really almost gave it a 2 except for gone daddy gone

one of the best breakup albums. The music just hits hard.

I actually really like this. It’s bouncy and high energy, consistently fun to listen. Some are the tracks are just silly, such as gimme the car which is about a dude who wants his dads car so he can go shag lol, which is great Some of these songs sound familiar so I think maybe I’ve heard them out and about . Really interesting instrumentals that compliment the dudes voice and strange lyrics.Guitar goes so very hard Bottom line is i like it a lot. Highlights: Prove my love Blister in the sun Add it up

Promise and prove my love actually good songs However none others really stood out to me as great. Upbeat music with a good vibe, however the lyrics and singing style aren’t my favorite however I can still admit it is a good album (unlike others on this list) just not really my favorite.

I went into this album only knowing “Blister in the Sun,” and I know that song very well. What surprised me most was how much this album sounds like something that could have come out in the ’90s rather than 1983. There’s a raw, stripped-down alternative sound here that feels ahead of its time. “Kiss Off” was my favorite discovery, while “Add It Up” took a little while to win me over. The beginning had me wondering if this album was going to be for me, but once the band kicked in, the song came alive. I also liked the bluesy feel of “Confessions” and the almost surf-rock energy of “Gone Daddy Gone.” One thing I have to give Violent Femmes credit for is the variety. For a band with such a stripped-down sound, the songs don’t all sound the same. Unfortunately, most of them were also pretty forgettable for me. There was very little that I disliked, but outside of “Blister in the Sun” and a couple of other tracks, there wasn’t much I’m eager to revisit either. An interesting album with a distinctive sound, and I can definitely hear its influence on the alternative music that followed.

Who doesn't love Blister In The Sun? This is one of those albums where the parts don't really work with each other very well but that's why they all work together. The vocals are strange and semi-off key a lot of the time but it makes the music that much better for some reason. Kind of like how Neil Young is always a little flat. Or sharp. But it works. And you don't hear an acoustic bass guitar that often so that's kind of cool. And name another rock song with a xylophone solo. I feel like this album was ahead of its time by about ten years. It's got a lot of punk in it, a lot of early alt, a lot of what would become grunge. It's a good album and certainly deserves its spot on the list. I can hear any number of bands from the 90s in this record. 3.75/5

I've been hearing "Blister in the Sun"---and the occasional "Gone Daddy Gone"---on the radio my entire life. But those were the ONLY two songs I knew from Violent Femmes. And I couldn't decide whether I liked those two songs or not. Whatever the case, they were certainly interesting to listen to and VERY unique. So when ye olde album generator spat this out, I was excited. And, in the end, I think my thoughts towards those two songs sum up my feelings toward the entire album. On one hand, you've got the bizarre combination of folk and punk, two things that I'd never imagine would go together. You have the unconventional structure of songs on the A side, and the catchy pop songs on the B side. And through it all, pure honesty. But sometimes honesty can hurt you. The lyrics on this album are incredibly personal. At times they're quite vulgar. Some may call them childish. While I don't mind them TOO much, I don't usually LOVE such things in the music I listen to. The vocals are, again, unique, while still being good. But there are times where they get a little screechy or monotone or [insert other negative quality]. But that's the risk of trying to do something new. In this case, I think the good outweighs the bad, if you can even call any of it "bad." It's just not a perfect album, and that's what makes it perfect. ----- #0009 Heard on: 23 Sep. 2026 Rating: ★★★★★★☆☆☆☆ (99 / 330) Favorite track: Gone Daddy Gone Least favorite track: Confessions