Reviews (page 11 of 15)
Where it all started for a lot of bands - Violent Femmes tapped into an immense source of energy, and the result is a timeless classic.
Quite a few of my favorite artists wouldn’t have existed without Violent Femmes and this album in particular. Also, it’s nice to be reminded once in a while that “Gone Daddy Gone” wasn’t written by Gnarls Barkley.
Fun, a little edgy, and makes you feel like you are listening to them at a house party.
All the way fun!
First thought this was from the 90s or 00s, but then saw it was from 83. So i can se that this has had an influence or was ahead of its time. Did i like it.. meh. Gone daddys gone was alright but this album was not really for me.
Blister In the Sun is a bop and then it gets progressively annoying from there I fear
Vivid memories of curling my hair getting ready for high school while blasting this brand new album. I’m sure my mom was horrified. Probably haven’t listened to this album it its entirety since then but amazingly it holds up. Every album should have a xylophone solo.
The last thing I expected from this album was a song I actually recognized. But I’m confident that I’ve heard Blister in the Sun somewhere before. Not sure where exactly though. I was genuinely surprised by how delightful and charming this album sounds. I have zero experience with folk punk. But it’s honestly a really intriguing idea. Taking all of the traditional aspects of punk music away, and essentially throwing out a lot of the intensity those things they create, creates a genre that is weirdly satisfying to listen to. Plus, it helps that the band is far more skilled than I expected them to be. This album sounds very much like a product of its time, right between the end of the 70s and the beginning of the 80s. But some of these songs wouldn’t sound out of place on a mid-2000s record. I think the thing that makes this album so enjoyable is just its willingness to bring weird. It isn’t afraid to be out there and try interesting ideas. This is such an unconventional sound, and I am naturally drawn to that. Not necessarily an album I would recommend to the average person, but more someone who can appreciate something more unconventional. Rating: 7/10
Pretty good
That was a better listen than I expected. They've got some good moves and the bass was fun on the second half of Add it Up. I could see this being a fun listen but it wasn't the easiest day for me to give it a deep shot.
Blister in the Sun was everywhere in my youth, but I'm not familiar with this album. It is a pretty good song.. A fun rock and roll album. An interesting progression of a Buddy Holly like sound. The vocals are played like an instrument and keep things interesting, tho sometimes a bit juvenile. Nice bass playing. Sounded good on the car stereo.
Heard of this artist, never realized they were the one's who sing Blister in the sun. Pretty good. I actually do dig this stuff
The overall sound in this is pretty timeless and unique for its era. You could drop some of these songs into the 90s/2000s and they wouldn't feel out of place. Like I thought "Blister in the Sun" was an early 2000s indie/alt rock song for a while after first being exposed to it. This feels more alternative than punk to be honest, but I guess the acoustic-like sound throughout plays a big part in why I feel that.
Goddamn this album is great. I've been a fan of Violent Femmes for a long time (Blister is one of my go to karaoke songs) but I haven't listened to this album straight through in years. Every song is so urgent, the acoustic bass sound is so unique, and I just love every song here - this was a great reminder today to go back into their catalogue and rediscover some deeper cuts.
Spoiler alert: there is no actual femmes. I spent like 5 minutes malding about it. Funny incel music, Gimme the Car was especially amusing. Didn't like it sonically though
very weird but the kind of weird that I can enjoy because its weird and not weird and bad and why is a group of 4 dudes calling themselves Violent Femmes
Recognized 1st song, really the only one worth it
It was fine. Not really that special imo. Recommended song after the album was Damaged Goods by Gang of Four, which is definitely more interesting.
I've been a fan of some of the tracks here, but never listened to the whole thing. Some of the other tracks aren't my style, they can be a bit jarring to me.
Unikt sound men inte riktigt min grej.
Blister in The Sun is one of those songs that I like but I could go the rest of my life without hearing again. That said there's a lot of other really cool songs on here. I had no idea this album came out when I did. I assumed early to mid 90's. I'll definitely come back to this one again.
Oh. Oh no. I should like this. Tons of energy, basslines that are very forward in the mix. The vocals though. I just can't... I find it actively annoying. And why did one of the tracks have what sounded like a 10 year old with a xylophone?
Raw sound, fast paced and fun
This is so unique, there is really nothing else that sounds like Violent Femmes.
Rasittavaa, semmoista vähän noise rockin tapaista kaoottista ja sitten narisevia vokaaleja. Blister In The Sun kuitenkin oli vähän tuttu. Parhaat: Blister In The Sun
Part of my college sound track
1 - suht putsis värk
Cult classic.
Great album. Listened to it before. Love it
Fantastic album, you can hear how it influenced others.
The three singles stand out but still an early America alternative classic.
Just pure joy.
I haven't listened yet. Still working through the previous album. I'm not completely unfamiliar with three Femmes and I'm in general a HUGE fan of self titled albums. I'm excited to see if this fits among the ranks of The Doors, Bad Company, and Mt. Joy or if it's more of an Aerosmith with only the one memorable track.
Victim of whole stars. Given the timing, impact and sound, this is a unique representation of an enduring work. For this to be ‘82 is insane in its own right but given the staying power it’s easily 4.5/5. Giving 4.
Listening to this one was like a night on the town! We are jazzed up and ready to go wild and by the end of the night slurring your words and rambling about not living in Chicago.
Great band! Love Brian Ritchie's acoustic bass playing. Gone Daddy Gone rocks that xylophone. This has been a favorite album of mine since forever. Add it Up & Blister are alternative classics. Prove Your Love & To The Kill are also tops. Easy 5 for me.
This album exists completely out of time to me. Released in 1983, it sounds more 90’s than most 90’s albums, but also retains an acoustic vibe that says it could’ve been made at any time during the past 40 years. Blister In The Sun shows up often in pop culture. I recall it being a favorite song to soundtrack angsty 90’s television to. All in all a good, but not really great record.
I gave this a triple listen and the more I listened, the more I wanted to be its friend. Blister in the Sun is a classic, and I knew a couple others, but the rest was new and fun to discover. Perfect blend of weird and catchy. Cool bass playing too!
Yea it’s ok I guess
Not my cup of tea.
awful. Painfully grating voice
Started off musically great but I don’t know… juvenile… bad singing… I didn’t care.
A CLASSIC. Soundtrack of high school and of many other better times of life.
Started well with blister in the sun, then downhill the rest of the way
This is my jam! The perfect amount of punk and rawness while still being east to listen to
Quintessential album of my youth that still holds up today.
Evidently this is a genesis of the indie rock sound. To me, it sounds like the noise of Sonic Youth brought to the hooks of Bob Mould. It’s wide ranging sounds and snippet like approach certainly inspired quite a few after.
I have never heard about them before, and I'm always amazed by how much good stuff has been around since the 80s, with no sign for me. This list is centered around the '70s and '80s albums, but apparently, all bands around that time were much ahead of their time, like the case of Violent Femmes. Sadly, they decrease a bit at the end of the album with some slow songs, which makes me rate them with a 4, but I'll always love to listen to all this proto/pos/folk-punk music.
So are we going to be forced to listen to full albums just because they feature a single one-hit-wonder? God awful music made by from what I can gather are incels.
Pretty good probably could see myself listening to this again some day
Not expecting to like this much. "Blister In The Sun" always struck me as a song that got radio play for its weirdness more than its tunefulness -- which with many other albums has been a tick in the plus column. Not sure it is for me this time. I love Daniel Johnston, Pavement, Tom Waits - all the weird, wacky, idiosyncratic, messy artists, but at some point the rubber meets the road and music should ultimately be something you want to listen to again and again. And on that basis, this album has overwhelmingly earned its one star, because I don't have the slightest desire to ever hear this again. I did genuinely enjoy "Prove My Love," however. Hated it. Glad I listened.
whiny. one hit wonder
Love Love Love this album. 5 Stars!! Favorite Track is Kiss Off.
It was not what I was expecting from the cover, but it was a pleasant surprise. It's not really a big fave, but nothing heinous either. I liked the music a lot more than I liked the lyrics.
Oh! It's the Blister on the Sun guys... Oh. I thought this album was from the 90s. Interesting... Oh shit! This slaps... What's wrong with me!? How did it take me this long to listen to this album!? If I had to pick one genre that I universally love it would probably be folk punk. There's something about the careless approach, angst, simple melodies, and lyricism that just does it for me pretty much every time. I appreciate music with production value, but I'll take a sloppy ass punk album just about every time. This album just works on every level for me. The band is tight but playing so loose at the same time. Those bass lines are so juicy. Gordon Gano is a lovely little freak and his voice is perfect for this music. Love the drums and the way the band passes lines between them (sometimes Gordon ripping solos, sometimes Brian overplaying songs in the best possible way, sometimes just letting Victor take the wheel in drum breaks). What works the best for me is how much variation there is between tracks. Blister in the Sun to Kiss Off to Please Do Not Go to Add It Up is a journey and that's just the first four tracks. I can appreciate why people don't dig on this kind of music, but man is it my favorite. 5/5 stars. No question.
This takes me back. I had this in heavy rotation during college years, but haven't listened to it in a long time. It holds up really well; still sounds quite fresh.
The songs I knew before hold up really well. The rest I’m not as crazy about. .
I really want enjoyed that. Lots of brilliant riffs and low fi crunchiness
Indie, folk, blues, acoustic, slow/mid/fast, male, atmosphere, very simple but great, blister start was my ringtone once (need to redo this), makes me want to dance immediately, has great drive for an acoustic band, but still limited in sound and style. solid
1. Classic. Nothing to add. 2. Better than Blister in the Sun. Better lyrics, more varied instrumentation. 3. I remember hating this song when I was younger listening to this album. I don't like it but it's not as bad as I remember. It's a bit like the reggae songs on Bad Brains' self-titled. 4. The best song on the album musically. Lyrics are meh, but still slaps. 5. The "hurry" part sucks, HARD. Rest is fine if forgettable. 6. Another of the folk-punk songs. Hook's great, still remember it after 4 years. 7. By the numbers, but catchy as hell. 8. Probably the best, thickest bassline on the album. Fun song. 9. plinplinplinplinplinplinplinplinplinplinplinplinplinplinplinplinplinplin 10. Sleep-inducing in a good way. Nice piano and violin. Overall album rating: 8/10
I had placed this one later than 1983, so it gets an extra star.
I enjoyed this one. Punk feeling with pop sensibility is my jam. I had heard many of the songs of course but I don't think I had ever listened to the whole album. I would give it a 3.75, so I'm rounding up to four. Memorable, my type of music, and will listen to it again.
Raw and making me horny at work. Great stuff.
Interesting album. I hadn't heard many of these songs by the group, but I enjoyed i.
Two good songs.
Prýðisalbúm með góðri hljómsveit. Þetta varð smá endurtekningagjarnt á köflum en það var samt ekki eitthvað sem böggaði mig og mig langar að hlusta á þessa plötu aftur og líka spá betur í textunum þannig að þessi fer aftur í hlustun við tækifæri. Gott stöff.
Not a big fan of this album. Only a few songs I liked.
interesting sound, i like the acoustic bass. most of it not my style, i liked Please Do Not Go
Punk funny lyrics, musically interesting . I didn't know them..yay
Didn't listen to all of it
I thought I liked the Violent Femmes but this album was just okay and one song I found offensive.
Chaotic. Most songs very different from blister in the sun
6 STARS
classic for a reason
Lol. Both P n I have owned this album since its release. Listened to it too many times to count. Love it the same today as we did back in the day. There are way more accomplished writers whom have reviewed this wonderful album. Easy 5 stars.
High marks for establishing a sound that's both distinctive (in a good way) and influential to heavy hitters that followed.
Had the irresistible urge to watch Grosse Pointe Blank this weekend
I know people who love this album. I couldn’t really find anything to latch onto though. Not creative enough to hold me. Guess just not my cup of tea.
Not something I would want to listen to during a colonoscopy.
Greatest acoustic bass in all of punk rock.
it was decent, few good songs few not the best
I was going to give this 4 stars until I gave it a relisten. Most of the time when you strip all the noise, fuzz and feedback away from punk you end up with something very close to pop. This is different. So, so different. A unique album that's atleast a decade ahead of it's time. 10/10 a worthy successor to the velvet underground.
Very fun album Standout songs: Add it up Promise Gone daddy gone
First time I heard this album was in tenth grade in the late 80s. It was the last day of school so we had a party in class and the students got to bring in tapes to listen to. We got to the part in "Add It Up" where he says "Why can't I get just one FU-" and the teacher jumped up shut it off before our young ears could get corrupted. Anyway, I didn't understand why I found it so compelling then, and I don't understand it now, but it really is. 5 stars
Edgy, angular punk with slight notes of blues and stream of consciousness lyrics. There was a sus chord guitar solo tremolo thing that captivated me on one of the songs but I don't remember which one. (Confessions I think?) That was probably my favourite. Gordon Gano sounds like he just woke up which is funny. You know what I'm gonna say. I still prefer Talking Heads, which I can see elements of the punk scene/stream of consciousness in but more polished and melodic. This band is meat pies and Talking Heads are nachos.
Album Already Known: N # Songs Already Known: 2 - Blister in the Sun, Gone Daddy Gone # Songs Saved: 1 - Ugly Notes: - Nothing that special about this album to me, it was just a bit boring to me - I do like Confessions, but not enough to save even - Ugly saved for a running song
alright music, good start, but samey and second half lacks ounch
A great album that holds up remarkably well decades later.
Have not heard this album in like 7-8 years! Kiss Off had me dancing at my desk and kicked off a little introspection on how far I've come since I first got into this album. Living in Milwaukee wasn't on my mind, I was smoking heavily, and was just getting into playing the bass more seriously.
Old school nice and catchy
Other than Blister in the sun, it wasn't very memorable
Obviously one track on here that gets far more play time than the others, but it doesn't feel like a one hit wonder album. It has a modern sound and I wouldn't have expected it be from the 80s.
very violent
Love the lyrics of “Good Feeling” in particular. I don’t love the lead vocalist’s sound, but the experimental sounds are cool. None of the songs from the album screamed re-listen for me, but I’m glad I did listen to it once.
It was fine.
It's ok?
Listened to this album on a kick a few weeks ago. Love most everything about it. The writing and production on this make it feel timeless to me. An album where the standups and the hits align: Blister In the Sun, Kiss Off, Add it Up, Gone Daddy Gone, Gimme The Car. All great. Love the acoustic punk vibe and bass-work throughout. Solid 4 / 5 for me.
Haven't listened to Violent Femmes much at all. I recognize blister in the sun. interesting end with Gimme the Car lol. Overall interesting album and wasn't bad to listen to.
It is an instinctive reflex to clap or drum those 4 notes in the first song. Rest of the album isn't great. Some cool basslines, but other than that it is a boring, droning album. I can't tell if I'm in a bad mood, but I have been giving a lot of 2s and 3s lately.
WOAH did not expect Blister in the Sun to be on this. I never knew who that song was by. Unfortunately that was the highlight of this album and after that it was pretty underwhelming music that got quite boring.
Hmm I feel like I've heard of them but not sure I know any songs. Whoops definitely know the first song, never would've been able to tell you who sang that though. This will be good for trivia a random night in the future. Honestly some good sound punk for me. Some real good basslines all over the place. The xylophones in Gone Daddy Gone/ I Just Want to Make Love to You are sick. Also have heard Good Feeling in How I Met Your Mother (Lily and Marshall's song). Pretty chill. Not the best punk I've heard but far from the worst.
Easy to listen to, one song stood out being Confessions
Take this, mix it with The Feelies and you’ve got yourself some Weezer, who is shockingly not included in the 1001 albums, by the way. Anyway, not sure why that’s the first thing that occurred to me on this listen, but I think this band had an outsized impact. This album is great. I hear early punk, Everly Brothers, all kinds of stuff in really simple acoustic arrangements.
Great songs
Sounds way ahead of its time
The Levellers are my one and only Folk Punk band, but this is pretty damn good. I've lost count of the number of time I danced to Blister in the Sun in The Limit back in the early 80s.
Violent Femmes' self-titled album remains as captivating today as it was in 2001 when I first heard it. Gordon Gano's country drawl and the prominent acoustic bass, high in the mix, create a unique and exciting sound. From the infectious hooks of Blister in the Sun to the introspective lyrics of Add It Up, each track leaves a lasting impression. This debut album stands as a timeless classic in alternative rock, blending punk energy with folk sensibilities and lyrical depth. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 7 STAND OUT TRACK - Please Do Not Go
was nice this one, slightly challenging. The acoustic bass is pretty special, just sounds like he's improvising all the way through. Prolly not gonna listen to it again anytime soon but giving it a 4 for the energy
Sehr stark
These guys rock! Huge energy in the songs, can imagine it was even better live. And the softer songs work great too, the closer is perfect! Standout tracks: Blister In The Sun, Kiss Off, Add It Up, Prove My Love, Promise, To The Kill, Gone Daddy Gone, Good Feeling 8,5 out of 10 These guys can rock! Huge energy on the album, can imagine the songs are even better live! And the closer is perfect. Standout tracks: Blister In The Sun, Kiss It Off, Add It Up, Confessions, Prove My Love, To The Kill, Gone Daddy Gone, Good Feeling 8,5 out of 10 Standout tracks: Blister In The Sun, Kiss Off, Add It Up,
Used to listen to them all the time. Re-listened this morning and wondered why
Ever wonder what a miz between underground new york punk scene, 50's rockabily and folk rock would sound like? Well this album sound exaclty like that, a folk-punk rock album, inspired by early alternative rock like the velvet underground, the CBGB scenes (Television, The heartbreakers, Richard Hell and the Talking Heads.) and some traditional folk and early rock n roll artists like Hank Williams, Gene Vincent or Woody Guthrie. The result give a strange but somehow good mix, a punk album but accoustic. The main song is Blister in the sun by far the best one, follow by Gone Daddy Gone and Kiss off. Blister in the Sun as some interesting lyrics apparantly refer to heroin use, addiction in general or masturbation, or just a girl, or to be in love. The way Gordon Gano sing the song is also special at some point he literaly whisper the lyrics and the beat is so cool. Gone Daddy Gone as a kinda funny instrumental part with a xylophone intro a very orignal choice of music but yet very good. Kiss Off really make me think of the Velvet Underground, like in the voice, the instrumental and the way they sing the verses (like there she goes again or White light/White heat). Add it Up, prouve my love, promise and To the Kill are other very good songs that really add to this strange but good reccord. Anyway this abum is an early exemple of how the rock sc ene will transform 10 years later, an they were pretty influencial for those band that would follow in the alt rock path.
Love the rawness of this album. There isn't a bad song on it! Unique and fun and edgy and lots of other good things, too. More, please!
very distinct vocal sound over alternative rock that feels like it was influential in the creation of They Might Be Giants. Somewhat dark and humorous, the album is classified as Folk-Punk and you see the angsty lyricism over relatively stripped back punk influences.
Jittery. Neurotic. Darkly comical. And that’s how the description of the band begins on Spotify. Might I add - can’t sing? It opens with a familiar song, Blister in the sun. Starts out good, but never did like his singing. After that - just a no from me.
Decent enough, but probably just for nostalgia reasons. Don’t think this will find its way into the regular rotation for me
How did this come out in 1983? It's got 1990s written all over it. Acoustic punk rock is probably the most punk punk could be, and this is a timeless classic. Everyone knows "Blister In The Sun" but there's not a bad song on here, everything has its own groove and hook like "Add It Up", "To The Kill" and "Gone Daddy Gone", and everything sounds like it was recorded in one straight shot as stripped back as everything feels. Real garage music energy.
# Playlist track - Gone Daddy Gone # Notes - After "Blister in the Sun" (which I already knew) I had a WTF look in my face the entire album. - Did those guys do an acoustic punk album? - Whaaaat, Gone Daddy Gone is a cover? - Super fun listen!
There isn’t a song here that I’d say is bad. Plenty of bangers across the board. First half is a strange case, as a few songs are like acoustic punk, which is kinda fun. The electric guitar tracks are great also. I didn’t expect that xylophone near the end as well, lol. This one was fun! Pretty good.
Rating: 8.5/10 Great folk rock album. Great instrumentally and vocally, many catchy melodies and interesting lyrics. The singer has a quirky voice that works very well with the instruments, has some Velvet Underground influence and it seems like the Pixies may have been inspired by these guys which is a huge positive for me. The more upbeat songs were the highlights, some of the slower ones did not resonate with me as much. Favorite songs: Blister In The Sun, Kiss Off, Please Do Not Go, Add It Up, To The Kill, Gone Daddy Gone, Good Feeling. Least favorite song: Confessions.
Enjoyed the sound, need to get used to some of the style
En ese punto entre el punk y el grunge. Un par de canciones muy pegadizas y en general disfrutable. 3/5.
Have always dug the Violent Femmes! Familiar with their five most famous tunes here, but had never listened to the whole album. Surprised that some of the deeper tracks lagged a bit, so that will drop the rating down to a 4/5 but look, nobody does what the Femmes do. They are truly original and I have so much respect for this band!
This album was grating. Couldn’t listen to all of it
My brother introduced me to this album when I was 13 or 14 years old. It's been a while since I've listened to the whole thing. It holds up!
One of the best debut albums ever. The first 4 songs establish VF as the 80s foremost purveyers of teen angst. The playing is virtuoso level esecially Brian Ritchie's bass playing which provides the main melodic line of almost every song, with the guitar mostly providing colour. And the minimalist drumming is just....perfect. The naked bass line that starts out Blister in the Sun, tells you immediately that this is not your typical 80s band. A nearly perfect album for its time and place that somehow still sounds fresh and innovative today. Probably the easiest 5 star pick for me of any album on this list.
A classic handed down through the generations. I don't need to listen to this record to rate it because it has indelibly imprinted itself upon me. Let me be clear. I am absolutely listening to this record today but the five star rating is a foregone conclusion.
3.5-4 on my scale. Classic album from my early college days. Acoustic punk is a great way to describe them. Sadly, when I saw them in the 90’s, they were playing folk festivals.
Hood 90s rap but not albumlistening
This was great. Of course I'd heard Blister in the Sun, and always assumed it was from the 90s. But the rest of this album was new to me. I'm usually not a huge fan of the more acoustic genres of punk, but this really maintains the rough edges of harder genres. Some of the tracks reminded me of the Modern Lovers, so between that and the ones that sound much more recent, I think the Violent Femmes really managed to achieve a timeless sound here.
Favourite tracks: blister in the sun; gone daddy gone
another album that i've been meaning to check out for a while. so glad i did. it's great and full of character.
Blister in the Sun - Strong drumming, fast tempo; agitated, breathy opener to album. Kiss Off - Beatles-esque backing vocals, loose bass line, good build up to climax. Please Do Not Go - chorus shares similarities with 'Tide is High', more minimalist and slower song, mixing slightly muddy in right channel. Add It Up - not the greatest vocals on their own, work better alongside instruments, faster tempo, potentially inspired by americana/surf rock, vocals have droning quality, another strong bassline. Confessions - Melody sounds 10 years ahead of its time, sadder, downbeat, feels ominous in a similar way to 'I Want You (She's So Heavy)', good use of panning. Prove My Love - Excellent bass playing again, drumming mixed into background but can still be felt, guitar mixed into foreground, catchy chorus. Promise - singer adds pauses and hesitations to lyrics, adds to feel of song; guitar and bass seem to playing together more here, best drumming of the album here. To The Kill - Much deeper bass line, could imagine this as a Velvet Underground song, guitar and bass feel like they're fighting eachother for attention. Gone Daddy Gone - Xylophone was surprising, guitar and bass seem to be following same rhythm, with xylophone playing lead, better vocal performance. Good Feeling - Feels more reflective, sombre, reminiscent of 'Sunday Morning', only use of piano on album, string arrangement supports feelings, more restrained vocals, slow fade out allows for reflection.
Blister In The Sun is obvi classic. I really like this. Didn't realize this was from the 80s, I thought it was early 2000s. Boppy acoustic music.
Hannah VanAkkeren - if an album is a person...
Some good songs. I’ve never listened to a whole Femmes album before. That guys voice kind o grinder on me after a while.
Like some
Oh the Violent Femmes and their iconic 80s songs! I didn’t realize how many of their most popular songs were on the same album.
Tää oli kiva! Sopivassa suhteessa punk, ja sopivassa naiivi! Jatkoon! 4/5
Ah tätä parempaa teiniangst-levyä tuskin tiedän. Akustinen soundi toimii mielettömän hyvin eikä osoita kulumisen merkkejä. Varma 5/5.
Rämisevää ja vimmaista, tykkäsin kyllä levystä vaikka incel-biisin lyriikat kuulostaa nykypäivänä vähän erilaisilta kuin ennen.
Great stuff
I was unaware that this band sang Blister In The Sun, and Gone Daddy Gone. I was convinced those songs were within the last 20 years. Not in the last 40 years. This band, or at least this album, sounds like some relevant music today. In fact, I am certain this album was the inspiration behind the resurgence of this sound in the early 2010's with the influx of the "the" bands (The Hives, The Vines, The Strokes.... Etc) The Led Zeppelins? - - anyone see that Sum 41 skit with Will Sasso. It was pretty funny? Anyways... This has post punk, Indy, alternative feel to it. NOT MY STYLE. I don't really care for much things punk. But this record was alright. A bunch of forgettable songs, the aforementioned two songs that I was unaware of were great. But aside from that... Mediocre music. No need to relisten to this.
I liked a couple of the hits on this album.
Wasn't expecting a full on acoustic punk rock album but i was pleasantly surprised
Sounds particularly like kids sitting at the campfire playing acoustic guitars and drums. There are some interesting clips. But in summary I didn’t like it very much
this will go down on your permanent record
Interesting mix... liked a few songs...good instrumentals overall.
🎶 🎸 Like a blister on the sun 🌞 ok ok I dig it Rest of album , meh
that's a catchy blister song confessional strumming bits of rage confetti teenage angst is this where greenday came from? never realized how much xylophone is present on gone daddy gone.
Ho-hum. Monotonous sound.
That's not my taste in musik.
Rommelig, en eigenlijk is alleen Blister in the Sun leuk
Great album. Very close to a 5, but just short.
Brings me back to freshman year of college!! A classic. I like it more the older I get.
I remember when this album emerged into the zeitgeist of my high school around 1984. We felt so naughty singing along to "Add It Up" and "Blister In The Sun" out of our parents' earshot. I always have appreciated the raw angst of the album, but Gordon Gano's voice was too much to endure for an entire album. Now so many years later, I don't find it as abrasive as I once did, and I hear some Gun Club hellbilly noise and junky looseness and even some Jonathan Richman outsider individuality that eluded me the first time around. (TBH, part of my resistance to them was their popularity with peers.) Refreshing to rehear the Femmes' debut anew. I suppose they were the prophets of punk and underground my young ears actually needed. The Femmes will unlikely be my new old favorite band, but now I can appreciate them more than I have for the last 35 years.
Lack of polish adds charm and character. This is the exact kind of music I would have hated ten years ago. Glad I'm over that.
I've always described my music taste as folk punk, not knowing it was actually a thing. I've liked blister when I heard it, but never took time to check out the entire album. I really enjoyed this one and it's clear how it influenced the artists I've loved.
3.75 I think if I could stomach the singing I would really love this album. I think there could’ve been a bit more variety between songs, but the album felt cohesive and a lot of it was catchy, and I was surprised by how many songs I recognized. Still, I’m a stubborn old maid and shudder at the singing and can’t get over it, even though I think it works for the songs and makes for a very distinct sound. Maybe I should blame the radio for overplaying “Blister in the Sun” when I was a kid.
Some cool basslines but terrible vocals and lyrics. Too many people trying to solo at the same time leading to chaos
"Blister In The Sun" and "Gone Daddy Gone" are damn near perfect songs, and the rest of the album is great too. "Kiss Off," "Please Don't Go," and "Good Feeling" are also standout tracks. There really isn't a low moment on this album. Probably one of the best albums of the 80s.
Perfectly underproduced. I stand by my decision to like this album, but I can’t listen to it more than once every 5-6 years.
Very Enjoyable, WISCONSIN!
Friendly album, surprised by the fact it’s alternative/punky with just acoustic instruments 👌🏼
Incel
Fantástico. Blister In The Sun.
Absolutely dripping with angst and desperation, in a fun way.
Such a unique sound that was so far ahead of its time. This feels like a 90s album, despite nearly being a 70s album. The sparse, mostly acoustic instrumentation allows for a more raw feeling, that plays into the album’s heavily emotional themes.
BL: heard of these guys because I had a friend back when I was 16 who was really into them. He was an arsehole but I have to say he had pretty impeccable music taste and got me into a lot of the stuff I’m into now. So I’ll give it a listen for sure AL: I have to say this was a very mixed bag for me. There were some songs I did like but I found a lot of the folk-punk stuff to be incredibly annoying. If I was shown this at 16 I probably would’ve adored it but I think my music taste has matured beyond some of this now. That being said I did like some of it, some of it specifically hasn’t aged well (the lyrics on “gimmie the car” especially). But it was no where near as unenjoyable as other albums on this list. For the time I also have to appreciate this would’ve been pretty mind blowing. So I’d say it’s justified being on the list FT: “Please Do Not Go”, “Prove my Love”, “Good Feeling” 3/5
Classic noise
Not for me.
Can be listened to again and again, sounds fresh and cheeky
Gear: Letshuoer S12 PRO Artwork: 👧🪟📸 Mix: 🎚️💩🎯 Music: 📝🤪🪄 Rating: 💢💢💢💢💢/5
Lot of repetition. Not necessarily in a bad way but definitely not my favorite - never really would have pegged them for a folk punk, not that I knew that was a genre. Blister in the Sun and Gone Daddy Gone both are enjoyable but not something on a regular repeat listen.
"Blister in the Sun"!!! I love that song. Damn, the instrumentals are really complicated. Didn't notice that before. This was apparently released in 1983, which is wild to me because the early parts of this album sounds like one of those bands in the 1990s that would make really silly, ironic hits and disappear. It's the lyrics, I think. Very conversational and laced in irony in a way that most bands at the time wouldn't dare to do. It's closest similarity would probably be the Smiths, but this sounds more kitschy, thus the comparison to the one-hit wonders of the 1990s.
I dig it.
I don't like this
Never really got why "Blister in the Sun" was so popular. A whole album of it did not help my understanding.
Solid album. Singers voice weighs on you after awhile.
Will always love this album, it took me right back to childhood!
Sounds like a garage band. Not much talent in this group
Not my style.
Good album i have a greatest hit version on CD however I like this album Better Than I Do The Greatest Hits version weird
This album lives in a special place in my Gen X heart.
I enjoyed more of the album than I thought I would.
Amazing album, I didn't know acoustic instruments could go so hard if you made them. Definitely can hear the influence that this album could have had on punk bands that came after. Will definitely come back to it again.
fun/ angst / would listen again, liked some more than others should start new star system. 5 amazzing all of it / listening all again 4 really like some 3 liked it 2 didn’t like 1 just nope
Nostalgic
I knew Blister in the Sun from somewhere and I really liked Gone Daddy Gone, but I’m not sure how I feel about this album. Sometimes I really liked the funky rhythms and acoustic guitars, sometimes the lyrics confused me. Like Confessions, decent song but the lyrics were weird. Overall decent.
Never heard of them before, but the sound is really good, great vibes
A couple/few indie bangers, but lots of angsty Hwhite pre-internet teenager music. Hwhite, with a big H.
Nope. Frenetic hillbilly punk, no thank you. Never liked Gano’s voice and it's not improved with time. Zero adds to the playlist. Sorry Wisconsin, but you can keep them.
Un son rock tout à fait écoutable mais qui ne m'intéresse pas plus que ça.
So this is the artist that does "Blister in the Sun", of course! The vocals are grating, but the bass line in some of these songs is great. Lyrics are...strange. Some of these key changes and general tunes are bizarre, as well. Not my cup of tea in general. Memorable songs: Blister in the Sun, Confessions, Ugly
Better than I thought it would be
Pretty fun to listen and mellow. But maybe not for me
Ehhh not bad
Nice!
Good
This one is a classic. I think I know it from beginning to end.
Blister on the sun is the best song on this album. Good baselines
Not a fan
Quelques bons morceaux !
Great album
Awful! Very vulgar and whiney! Would give negative one
Breddy good album
Brings back memories of the early 80s when anyone thought that they could be in a band, although musically this is quite good, it's just the vocals that let it down - a bit Jonathan Richman meets Jilted John.
Way too punk for this old bird.
Liked the percussion and more acoustic guitar sound, majority of album was solid
Pretty solid could definitely hear where some bands took from them.
Pretty good, didn't love it but it did remind me of a stripped-down down more chaotic version of Cage the Elephant's album Thank You Happy Birthday or kind of like the Black Keys. The sound was really interesting but I did not love the lead dude's voice (still better than Bob Dylan).
after about 3 songs, they kinda all sounded same
Sometimes you have to be in the mood for an album. I put this on this morning on the way to work and just wasn't feeling it at all. On the way back, I'm all for it. I knew Blister in the Sun but not much more apart from they were on Sabrina the Teenage Witch for some reason? Soundwise, the band's dad is Jonathan Richman and their their grandparents the Velvet Underground. This is the end of my rather disjointed review done on the train home.
Interesting but I wouldn’t listen to it on a regular basis. I understand that in 1983 it could have been refreshing.
I've listened to this one! As a teenager in the 1990's I remember thinking this was something new. Songs off of it were popping up in places like MTV and later on some video games. Tony Hawk I think? Definitely heard a song on the 120 Minutes Live compilation album. Maybe some were on some movies or shows? I was totally shocked to learn many years later that it was from 1983. It always kind of amazed me how there's no kick drum. My brain just kind of fills in the gaps and imagines that it's there. Or maybe it's more that it's that the rhythm section fills that space so well I don't even notice the lack of a bigger kit. Impressive! Amazing album. I haven't listened to this album in years, but this time around the fantastic performance on bass really stood out for me. The vocal sizzle and fry on some of the edgier parts really sounded fantastic too. That stood out for me more than I remember. The tonal character of the vocals are just right. Love it!
This was way better than expected. First of all, I often say, overplayed songs are overplayed for a reason, this is the exception, Blister in the sun might be my least favorite song on the love. I love everything else. Very bass driven. 8.8/10
I'll check it later
Kiss off
regular3/4
Was unusual and fun
Awful piece of turd.
Wow I thought this was going to be good until he opened his mouth. He sounds like all he is doing is whining and got really old really fast. Also very repetitive
There's some good songs on here, but also several that I just wanted to skip. 3/5
Akustischer Alternative Rock der 80er. „Blister in the Sun” ist bekannt.
Obnoxious, but in a fun honest poppy way. These songs are way older than I thought.
Just a lot of fun.
1. BLISTER IN THE SUN—I know this one :) Not my favorite song, but can't argue it's not catchy. I can hear more of the acoustic fiddling in the back now that I'm listening properly. 2. KISS OFF—Acoustic bass???? Reminds me of some of the stuff Juniper-Rosie has done 3. PLEASE DO NOT GO—love that walking bass :) 4. ADD IT UP—Like the end part where it goes into Add it up! Add it up! Add it up! Love the bass work. (That's a running theme for this album.) 5. CONFESSIONS—I like this one off the bat. Okay, it's starting to go at the "I'm going to hang hang hang it apaaaart" 6. PROVE MY LOVE—Vibey 7. PROMISE—I spaced out of this one, oops! 8. TO THE KILL—BASS BASS BASS!!!!! I like this one, I think. Love the slight crunch on the bass sound. 9. GONE DADDY GONE—Tuned out of this twice... 10. GOOD FEELING—Strings!!!!!!! 11. UGLY (1983 ROUGH TRADE UK SINGLE)—I see why this was a single. 12. GIMME THE CAR (1983 ROUGH TRADE UK SINGLE)—Edgy, sleazy, creepy, angsty teen vibe. Like the phases this goes through.
We all came to hear Blister In the Sun.........
I can't listen to this album without a huge sense of nostalgia and memories of high school, school breaks in Alabama, heartbreak and all the emotions you feel when you're that age. I know every song in my bones.
Few really cool tracks and the blend of acoustic punk is something I didn’t expect to love as much as I have.
I listen tooo the album nowwww I’m going clap clapp
Sad and angsty. The vocals just aren’t for me. The repetitive words/phrases made me chuckle a few times.
Best Songs: Prove My Love Listen Again: Probably
Favorite of my wife. Love the first song
Folk sounds, punk approach, pop sensibility - a stripped down and lively album that's all strumming acoustic guitar, melodic bass, simple energetic drums and the odd violin. The vocals are great in the Lou Reed Jonathan Richman style: ironically swaggering and off kilter delivery. Blister in the sun is an all time great feel good radio song and there are few other stand out songs. Incredible that this from 1983, feels really 90s in a way I can't quite pinpoint.
Excellent, almost a five.
banco igual un poco pq es el tema de marshall y lily 7/10
Blister in the Sun, Kiss Off , Gone Daddy Gone- what's not to love?
Great little album, lots of recognisable songs that seem to have had a lot of influence on subsequent artists
Old school alt rock Blister in the sun Activating
Really enjoyed this had heard some of it before but never followed it up. Will have a look at their back catalogue now.
Rigtig cool! Vidste ikke rigtigt hvad jeg skulle forvente. Synes næsten største overraskelse var at det lød som en mandlig sanger
Det er fed! Imponerende meget punk energi fra en akustisk plade!
Fed nok! Kan meget godt lide stilen og det minder mig helt vildt meget om "Ice Age", eller.. hvis vi tager kronologien in mente, så minder Ice Age om Violent Femmes. 3.4
Never listened to this whole album. Enjoyed it.
Interesting - will be listening more!
Love. One of those bands where I always liked the songs I heard, but never got around to listening to a whole album. Should have listened to the whole thing so long ago.
I must’ve listened to Blister In The Sun a hundred times in indie clubs through my University days without knowing what it was called or who it was by. So I was immediately grateful for that discovery. The remaining half hour or so was unremarkable. The sound doesn’t deviate much from track to track although the acoustic bass is fun and I had a few chuckles at the lyrics. Can’t see myself coming back to this one, and not sure I really get why it makes the list. I guess you had to be there. 4/1001
Good plucky bass lines Reminiscent of Pixies Vocals not as annoying as I expected Xylophone part goes hard
Annoying voice. Annoying music.
fav song: blister in the sun
This feels like David Bowie for babies. It's fine but not spectacular.
I never listened to this whole album but know a bunch of the songs. It's a good one.
It's the Violent Femmes. One of my favorite bands going back a long time.
Fun! Prove my Love is straight up pop, per the liner notes. It sounds a whole lot like The Beatles to me.
Thought it would be good based on Blister In The Sun, but the rest is just a dreary carbon copy. Dull.
Good but not great
Cool influential indie punk. Sounds like it could of dropped today. Really impressed knowing that this came out in 83. Really happy to know these guys aren't just the one hit wonders. A bit chaotic but a ton of energy.
There’s a ramshackle charm here that really makes each song a pleasure to listen to. Sounds surprisingly modern considering it’s 40 years old.
Bärenstark. Klingt sehr ursprünglich. Mit Kraft und Spass an der Musik.
This is a really good album. I knew Blister in the Sun, Kiss off, Add it Up. Why did I not listen to more of this album before now? I know Gone Daddy Gone from a remake that was on the Forza 2 soundtrack. It's burned into my brain. Such a distinctive tone provided by the rhythm section on this record. The upright bass and a very driving snare tone. Jangley, sometimes discordant guitar. Lots of angst and alienation and loneliness expressed in the lyrics. Just a good record all the way through.
Eu amei de paixão! Já entrou pra minha top bandas ahahaha
A true classic. Great songs, great arrangements and production. Every songs a singalong.
8/10
Unique late nineties acoustic pop rock. Worth a listen for the stripped down production!
I’m pretty sure I don’t like this. Pretty sure, because so many of the songs are catchy in a weird way, despite the fact that the lyrics make no sense and Gano’s voice annoys me. Musically, the songs are fun; the arrangements are interesting, and I particularly enjoy the way the acoustic bass is used. Was this interesting to listen to? Yes. Will I listen to it again? No.
I don't think any other album I've listened to hits me i my personal punk sensibilities like this one. It makes me want to simultaneously start a righteous riot and be a brat.
Not as good as I was expecting
Reminded me of Brett
Kinda punk rock, not my favorite
Good! Better when they stick to straight ahead rock-gets a little wobbly when they try other approaches
Some really great songs with a couple of songs I still can't seem to enjoy. I guess that's what happens when your band has a love of the discordant
Same guitar sound... everywhere
It’s got a great beat, and it’s easy to dance to! 🕺
Has some redeeming features (Gone Daddy Gone) but hard to get through at times.
Beyond merely good- this is proto......well proto Indie at the least. Refreshing and quirky and...well just interesting. 41 years old and still fresh as a daisy.
Another classic!
I thought these were one hit wonders from the 90’s Turns out this is a fairly fantastic album of acoustic punk songs from the 80’s
Nice punk rock.
Sounds like a precursor to punk or maybe grunge. Favorite track was gone daddy gone
Sure I like Blister in the Sun
Didn’t realise blister in the sun was from the early 80s - mad. But a cool punky/indie vibe. I’m a fan
meh
Never heard the whole album - better than expected.
Blister in the Sun is from the EARLY EIGHTIES??? Not big on the guy's voice overall.
funky funny rock!
Découverte assez sympa
Every time I give Violent Femmes' debut a listen, it's hard not to sing along from front to back. Despite some uncomfortably angsty, sexual lyrics, I can't help but join in. It's just that good. Gano can be singing the most pathetic, dumb-ass-teenager-brained lyrics, but the performance is so fun that he makes it sound cool. The grooves are extremely funky and a joy to listen to. Always loved this album, and the follow up is pretty great too. *Heard before.
DK - Couldn’t believe I loved a folk punk album so much, I was so pleasantly surprised by the tracks on this album. I think my favourite for sure had to be confessions but I honestly loved 8/12 songs on this album so that might change with time. The lead singer absolutely killed it with their vocal performance and the way the album tackles themes of loneliness and love was pretty cool, it doesn’t surprise me the write was 18 at the time of writing the songs as it seemed the album came through the lens of a teenager. Probably the best album I’ve reviewed so far. I saw a review saying that if someone put a gun to my head and asked what decade this was made, I’d say the 90’s and end up being shot. Couldn’t agree more, sounds so ahead of their time. The only thing I can detract from this album is sometimes the lyrics go too over the top or too childish, and I think that takes away from a more focused narrative. Rating 3.5/5 // Aaron - So. Much. Fun. From Beginning to end this project is so enjoyable. The songwriting throughout is really strong, creating a pretty unique sound especially for this era. I loved the strings. First album of this challenge that has made me want to put it on repeat. Kiss Off, Add it Up, and Good Feeling were my favourites. 4/5
4/10, 40%
An album of hits. What else can you say?
Solid album
A couple of instantly identifiable singles plus a number of other songs worth listening to. I don't remember listening to this album when I was in college, but probably because of the preferences of the friends I hung out with.
Love this album. Good times as a junior in high school listening to this one. I love how they incorporate elements of punk and folk into a collection of songs about life, love and sex. Some songs are funny, others are sad, others are creepy. Its raw and sometimes over the top, but it works.
This created a new genre. Nothing has touched it since.
sing along to the first track and then meh. it's alright but just not my thing. Gimme the car (bonus track) is a bit... erm... dificult to listen to.
feels like you’re a high schooler skipping school having a Ferris Buelers type day. Some interesting lyrics but really a coming of age album. “Time goes by, I can feel myself growing old. Burning inside, it's making this boy turn out cold” 8/10
Okay, not a big fan.
I really liked the music, but the lyrics give me huge "angry incel" vibes. Disappointing, because I love the song Blister in the Sun.
1. Lyrics The lyrical content of "Violent Femmes" is both introspective and rebellious. Gordon Gano's poignant storytelling shines in tracks like "Blister in the Sun," offering a glimpse into teenage angst and desire. The simplicity of the lyrics adds authenticity, resonating with listeners on a personal level. The witty and confessional nature of the lyrics establishes a unique connection with the audience, making the album a lyrical triumph. 2. Music The music on the album is characterized by its stripped-down, acoustic punk-folk style. The use of acoustic guitars, upright bass, and minimal percussion creates a raw and unpolished sound that sets the band apart. Songs like "Kiss Off" showcase the band's ability to merge folk sensibilities with punk attitude. The eclectic mix of genres contributes to the album's timelessness, making it a standout in alternative music history. 3. Production "Violent Femmes" embraces a DIY ethos, evident in its production. The lo-fi quality adds authenticity, capturing the essence of the band's live performances. The album's spontaneity and imperfections contribute to its charm. However, some may find the lack of polished production a drawback, especially when compared to more refined contemporaries. 4. Themes The album explores themes of adolescence, love, and rebellion. "Add It Up" delves into the complexities of relationships, while "Gone Daddy Gone" offers a departure into darker, bluesy territories. The thematic diversity adds depth, allowing listeners to connect with different facets of the human experience. The album's ability to capture the essence of youth and defiance remains one of its enduring strengths. 5. Influence "Violent Femmes" has had a profound influence on alternative and indie rock. Its impact can be heard in the works of subsequent artists, with many citing the album as a source of inspiration. The album's influence extends beyond its genre, leaving an indelible mark on the broader musical landscape. Pros Authenticity: The raw and unfiltered nature of the album contributes to its timeless appeal. Innovative Sound: The fusion of folk, punk, and alternative elements showcases the band's innovative approach. Enduring Lyrics: The relatable and evocative lyrics continue to resonate with listeners. Cons Production Quality: The lo-fi production may be a deterrent for those accustomed to more polished soundscapes. Limited Sonic Variety: Some may find the consistent acoustic sound limiting in terms of sonic diversity. In conclusion, "Violent Femmes" remains a cornerstone of alternative music, celebrated for its authenticity, innovation, and lasting influence. While its production may be an acquired taste, the album's lyrical depth and musical prowess solidify its status as a classic.