I know I'm a man full of contradictions. For weeks, I’ve been disparaging anything that even remotely resembles alternative, indie or punk rock at every opportunity during the 1001 Albums Challenge. Today, however, I’m celebrating the self-titled debut of the American trio Violent Femmes. However, I wouldn't be myself if I didn't have a reason for this paean of praise. Firstly, I discovered the Violent Femmes when their snotty folk-punk, led by the band's songwriter and singer Gordon Gano, matched my outlook on life perfectly – one of depression, hopelessness, self-doubt and post-adolescent crises. Secondly, it's the originality with which the Violent Femmes perform their songs. All they need is an acoustic guitar, drums, bass and Gano’s nasal, whiny voice. Back in 1983, this was the antithesis of perfect eighties pop and a huge departure from noisy political punk rock (or even light-hearted pub-punk). Gano’s songs, written when he was 18 and 19, precisely and sarcastically summarise the major and minor dramas of a young man coming of age. They are anthems for losers with which I could strongly identify back then. Presumably, from a purely musical perspective, the album wouldn’t resonate with me in the same way today as it did back then. Some music is timeless, and some you have to discover at the right stage in your life. Everything’s different now, but there was a time when I would have loved to write songs like Gordon Gano’s.