Violent Femmes | ||
| Allmusic Biography : The textbook American cult band of the 1980s, the Violent Femmes captured the essence of teen angst with remarkable precision; raw and jittery, the trios music found little commercial success but nonetheless emerged as the soundtrack for the lives of troubled adolescents the world over. The group formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the early 80s, and comprised singer/guitarist Gordon Gano, bassist Brian Ritchie, and percussionist Victor DeLorenzo. Ritchie originated the bands oxymoronic name, adopting the word "femme" from the Milwaukee areas slang for wimps. After being discovered by the Pretenders James Honeyman-Scott, the Violent Femmes signed to Slash and issued their self-titled 1983 debut, a melodic folk-punk collection which struck an obvious chord with young listeners who felt a strong connection to bitter, frustrated songs like "Blister in the Sun," "Kiss Off," and "Add It Up." Though never a chart hit, the album remained a rite of passage for succeeding generations of teen outsiders, and after close to a decade in release, it finally achieved platinum status. With 1984s Hallowed Ground, Ganos lyrics began to reflect his devout Baptist upbringing, while the Femmes music approached more traditional folk and country structures. Produced by Talking Heads Jerry Harrison, 1986s The Blind Leading the Naked advanced toward a more mainstream sound; a cover of the T. Rex chestnut "Children of the Revolution" even became a minor hit. After the records release, the Femmes temporarily disbanded: Gano recorded a self-titled 1987 album with his gospel side project the Mercy Seat, while Ritchie issued a series of solo LPs including 1987s The Blend and 1989s Sonic Temple & Court of Babylon for SST. (I See a Noise appeared on Dali Records in 1990.) In 1989, the group resurfaced with 3, followed by 1991s Why Do Birds Sing?, which featured the Femmes deconstructionist cover of Culture Clubs "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?" Following the release of the 1993 compilation Add It Up (1981-1993), DeLorenzo exited the Violent Femmes to resume the solo career he began two years prior with the release of Peter Corey Sent Me; his sophomore effort, Pancake Day, appeared in 1996. Former Oil Tasters and BoDeans drummer Guy Hoffman was tapped as DeLorenzos replacement in time to record 1994s New Times for Elektra Records, which proved their sole release for the label. Rock!!!!! was released in 1995 on Mushroom Records only in Australia; the live Viva Wisconsin followed on the American indie label Beyond in 1999, trailed early the next year by a new studio effort, Freak Magnet. In the spring of 2001, the Femmes released their first MP3-only album, Somethings Wrong, through the website EMusic.com; it collected an assortment of rarities, including covers, acoustic live tracks, alternate versions, demos, and the like. In 2002, Rhino/Slash reissued their debut as a two-disc deluxe edition that featured 22 previously unreleased tracks, followed by Permanent Record: The Very Best Of in 2005. The Violent Femmes closed out 2005 with a New Years Eve show featuring all three original members and Guy Hoffman. This union was punctured in 2007 when Ritchie filed a lawsuit against Gano, seeking proper accounting of royalties while also claiming he was denied credit for songwriting; additionally, he stated Gano licensed "Blister in the Sun" for use in a Wendys commercial without permission. During the lawsuit, the Violent Femmes managed to release a single -- a cover of Gnarls Barkleys "Crazy," appearing in June of 2008 -- but the tensions caused the group to split in 2009. Ritchie and Gano settled out of court in 2012 and the Violent Femmes reunited in 2013, playing a number of shows, including a slot at that years Coachella festival, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their landmark debut. Following these shows, drummer Victor DeLorenzo departed acrimoniously -- in a statement, he claimed "In regards to my history with the Violent Femmes, the dream never quite got there" -- and was swiftly replaced by Brian Viglione, a drummer with the Dresden Dolls. Over the next couple of years, this lineup played frequently and released a four-song EP for Record Store Day in 2015, a teaser for the full-length We Can Do Anything in 2016. By the time that album appeared in March 2016, Viglione had resigned from the band. John Sparrow signed on as the Femmes drummer in time for the tour supporting We Can Do Anything; recordings from the tour were compiled into a 2017 live album, 2 Mics & the Truth. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 21 Title: Violent Femmes Released: 1983-04 Tracks: 12 Duration: 43:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Blister in the Sun (02:24) 2 Kiss Off (02:56) 3 Please Do Not Go (04:15) 4 Add It Up (04:43) 5 Confessions (05:32) 6 Prove My Love (02:38) 7 Promise (02:49) 8 To the Kill (04:02) 9 Gone Daddy Gone (03:06) 10 Good Feeling (03:50) 11 Ugly (02:21) 12 Gimme the Car (05:05) |
| Violent Femmes : Allmusic album Review : One of the most distinctive records of the early alternative movement and an enduring cult classic, Violent Femmes weds the geeky, child-man persona of Jonathan Richman and the tense, jittery, hyperactive feel of new wave in an unlikely context: raw, amateurish acoustic folk-rock. The music also owes something to the Modern Lovers minimalism, but powered by Brian Ritchies busy acoustic bass riffing and the urgency and wild abandon of punk rock, the Femmes forged a sound all their own. Still, the main reason Violent Femmes became the preferred soundtrack for the lives of many an angst-ridden teenager is lead singer and songwriter Gordon Gano. Naive and childish one minute, bitterly frustrated and rebellious the next, Ganos vocals perfectly captured the contradictions of adolescence and the difficulties of making the transition to adulthood. Clever lyrical flourishes didnt hurt either; while "Blister In the Sun" has deservedly become a standard, "Kiss Off"s chant-along "count-up" section, "Add It Up"s escalating "Why cant I get just one..." couplets, and "Gimme the Car"s profanity-obscuring guitar bends ensured that Ganos intensely vulnerable confessions of despair and maladjustment came off as catchy and humorous as well. Even if the songwriting slips a bit on occasion, Ganos personality keeps the music engaging and compelling without overindulging in his seemingly willful naiveté. For the remainder of their career, the group would only approach this level in isolated moments. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 21 Title: Hallowed Ground Released: 1984-06 Tracks: 9 Duration: 39:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Country Death Song (05:02) 2 I Hear the Rain (01:32) 3 Never Tell (07:10) 4 Jesus Walking on the Water (03:06) 5 I Know It’s True but I’m Sorry to Say (05:05) 6 Hallowed Ground (04:18) 7 Sweet Misery Blues (02:51) 8 Black Girls (05:41) 9 It’s Gonna Rain (04:11) |
| Hallowed Ground : Allmusic album Review : After the surprise success of their landmark debut, Violent Femmes could have just released another collection of teen-rage punk songs disguised as folk, and coasted into the modern rock spotlight alongside contemporaries like the Modern Lovers and Talking Heads. Instead they made Hallowed Ground, a hellfire-and-brimstone-beaten exorcism that both enraged and enthralled critics and fans alike. Like Roger Waters purging himself of the memories of his fathers death through The Wall and The Final Cut, bandleader Gordon Gano uses the record to expel his love/hate relationship with religion, and the results are alternately breathtaking and terrifying. Contrary to initial public response, Hallowed Ground is not a parody. Gano, the son of a Baptist minister, may wear his faith like a badge of honor, but its a badge, not a shield, and what keeps the songs so volatile is the fact that theyre filtered through the eyes, ears, heart, and loins of a teenager. Like the first record, all of the songs on Hallowed Ground were written during Ganos high-school years -- he was barely in his twenties when it was released -- resulting in a perfect rendering of the sweetness and brutality of the postpubescent teen, especially on the albums centerpiece; a searing indictment of loyalties broken and the snitches that break them, "Never Tell" is the perfect balm for the bloody righteousness of youth, and when Gano screams, "Ill stand right up in the heart of Hell/I never tell," its hard not to stand right beside him. Christian imagery aside, Hallowed Ground is not as polarizing as some make it out to be. The band explores gothic Appalachian folk and child murder on the banjo-fueled "Country Death Song," bawdy and bluesy Lou Reed-inflected infatuation on "Sweet Misery Blues," and nuclear holocaust on the brooding title track, leaving little doubt that this is the same band that penned underground classics like "Gone Daddy Gone" and "Add It Up." Even the decidedly politically uncorrect "Black Girls," with its free jazz mid-section that includes everything from jaw harp to the screaming alto sax of John Zorn and the Horns of Dilemma, is full of the same smirk and swagger that made "Blister in the Sun" the soundtrack to so many peoples halcyon days. The Femmes are nothing if not true to themselves, and Hallowed Ground is a testament to their tenacity, courage, and sheer obliviousness to industry ogling. Each track is as naked as it is bursting with ideas, and as the landscape changes, the band changes with it, leaving the listener at a crossroads; with each incantation, growling invective, and honey-whispered promise, theyre forced to either jump off the gospel train or ride it along with them into the mouth of Hell. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 21 Title: The Blind Leading the Naked Released: 1986 Tracks: 13 Duration: 37:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Old Mother Reagan (00:31) 2 No Killing (05:13) 3 Faith (04:14) 4 Breakin’ Hearts (02:15) 5 Special (02:18) 6 Love & Me Make Three (02:53) 7 Candlelight Song (03:11) 8 I Held Her in My Arms (02:52) 9 Children of the Revolution (04:19) 10 Good Friend (03:28) 11 Heartache (02:02) 12 Cold Canyon (03:22) 13 Two People (00:58) |
| The Blind Leading the Naked : Allmusic album Review : A more mainstream effort courtesy of producer Jerry Harrison (Talking Heads). Gordon Gano returns to his troubled teen persona and the Violent Femmes rock harder than on their previous two releases. A nice cover of the T. Rex classic "Children of the Revolution" and the yearning "I Held Her in My Arms," complete with a horn section, are highlights. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 21 Title: 3 Released: 1988 Tracks: 12 Duration: 36:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Nightmares (03:33) 2 Just Like My Father (01:42) 3 Dating Days (03:14) 4 Fat (01:49) 5 Fool in the Full Moon (04:25) 6 Nothing Worth Living For (04:21) 7 World We’re Living In (05:16) 8 Outside the Palace (02:38) 9 Telephone Book (01:41) 10 Mother of a Girl (02:41) 11 Lies (01:31) 12 See My Ships (03:17) |
| 3 : Allmusic album Review : The fourth album finds the band in somewhat of a rut creatively. Fans of the bands early days will appreciate the slightly stripped-back acoustic production, but without much energy and less focus on teen angst, the album falls flat in most places. Only the single "Nightmares" and the confessional "See My Ships" leave any lasting impression. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 21 Title: Debacle: The First Decade Released: 1990 Tracks: 13 Duration: 47:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Gimme the Car (05:05) 2 Nightmares (03:33) 3 Black Girls (05:41) 4 Add It Up (04:44) 5 Children of the Revolution (04:19) 6 Good Feeling (03:51) 7 Gone Daddy Gone (03:06) 8 Fat (01:49) 9 Old Mother Reagan (00:31) 10 Blister in the Sun (02:24) 11 Country Death Song (05:02) 12 Ugly (02:21) 13 World We’re Living In (05:16) |
| Debacle: The First Decade : Allmusic album Review : This album is a compilation of all of their best recordings. Even though it contains a variety of The Femmes changes in style, it doesnt live up to the standards of their first release. Still, enough highlights are covered to make this album the only other Violent Femmes album youll need. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 21 Title: Why Do Birds Sing? Released: 1991-04-30 Tracks: 13 Duration: 42:29 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 American Music (03:50) 2 Out the Window (02:52) 3 Look Like That (02:45) 4 Do You Really Want to Hurt Me (04:50) 5 Hey Nonny Nonny (04:34) 6 Used to Be (03:38) 7 Girl Trouble (02:58) 8 He Likes Me (03:07) 9 Life Is a Scream (01:54) 10 Flamingo Baby (02:37) 11 Lack of Knowledge (01:54) 12 More Money Tonight (03:59) 13 I’m Free (03:25) |
| Why Do Birds Sing? : Allmusic album Review : Two years after the release of their stripped-down and mellowed-out album 3, the Violent Femmes return with a disjointed and choppy but enjoyable album, Why Do Birds Sing?. This record is probably most famous for its cover of Culture Clubs "Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?." The acoustic sound they pioneered (way back before MTV Unplugged was even thought of) is still here...for the most part. Many songs seem to be written as a foil to the depressing sound on 3, forsaking cohesiveness and lyrical depth for upbeat ditties. Track two, "Out the Window," is a strong suspect, with shallow lyrics and bouncy music, but does not make sense in the wake of 3. Still, other songs are fun. They revisit their infamous rancor from the first record on "Girl Trouble" and "More Money Tonight" -- this time from the perspective of musical celebrities rather than the nerds from high school. Worth mentioning is a short little two-minute track called "Life Is a Scream," which brings the entire disc to a standstill; its more like a musical speed bump than any song they have ever recorded. Every Violent Femmes fan has their favorite record and these tend to vary wildly. More than likely, this one will not be anyones favorite, but still has some redeeming moments. The strong opener "American Music" is reminiscent of their classic songwriting style. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 21 Title: Add It Up (1981–1993) Released: 1993-09-14 Tracks: 23 Duration: 1:12:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Intro (00:15) 2 Waiting for the Bus (02:07) 3 Blister in the Sun (02:24) 4 Gone Daddy Gone (03:06) 5 Gordon’s Message (00:27) 6 Gimme the Car (05:05) 7 Country Death Song (05:02) 8 Black Girls (05:41) 9 Jesus Walking on the Water (03:06) 10 36‐24‐36 (01:48) 11 I Held Her in My Arms (03:01) 12 I Hate the TV (02:10) 13 America Is (02:10) 14 Old Mother Reagan (00:31) 15 Degradation (00:35) 16 Dance, Motherfucker, Dance! (03:17) 17 Lies (live) (05:49) 18 American Music (03:50) 19 Out the Window (02:52) 20 Kiss Off (04:59) 21 Add It Up (06:14) 22 Vancouver (02:14) 23 Johnny (05:26) |
| Add It Up (1981–1993) : Allmusic album Review : Add It Up is not quite the definitive Violent Femmes compilation one might hope for, even if it does feature 23 tracks and adds essential later items missing from their first comp, Debacle: The First Decade. There are several charming rarities to hook dedicated fans, who will likely find several favorites missing (perhaps another song or two could have been substituted for the between-song bits). The groups self-titled debut does a better job of encapsulating why they were important, and remains the first Femmes album to buy; besides, no compilation that includes live versions of "Kiss Off" and "Add It Up" in place of the original studio cuts can claim to be definitive. However, even casual fans who enjoyed Violent Femmes will find post-debut songs like "American Music" and "I Held Her in My Arms" to be essential, so even if Add It Up is a little too imperfect to be a necessary first purchase, its definitely a necessary second purchase. Unless youre a die-hard fan, it will likely be the only other Violent Femmes disc youll need. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 21 Title: New Times Released: 1994-05-17 Tracks: 13 Duration: 50:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Don’t Start Me on the Liquor (04:08) 2 New Times (04:07) 3 Breakin’ Up (04:01) 4 Key of 2 (03:31) 5 4 Seasons (03:06) 6 Machine (04:39) 7 I’m Nothing (02:35) 8 When Everybody’s Happy (03:35) 9 Agamemnon (02:56) 10 This Island Life (05:31) 11 I Saw You in the Crowd (04:07) 12 Mirror Mirror (I See a Damsel) (04:30) 13 Jesus of Rio (03:33) |
| New Times : Allmusic album Review : This quirky release shows the Violent Femmes casting far afield stylistically after the comparatively consistent (and excellent) platter Why Do Birds Sing? Only the catchy "4 Seasons" and the guitar-vocal-only "Im Nothing" are in the jittery busking style of their previous album. There are a modest number of harder-rocking selections here, such as "Key of 2," "Dont Start Me on the Liquor," and the title track. The rest of the songs are highly eccentric, showing wide stylistic variation. "Mirror Mirror" is an ethnic-flavored ditty that would fit right alongside the numbers in the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof; oddly, the song ends with an avant-garde jazz improvisation section. "Jesus of Rio" alternates between slow waltz and fast polka sections. "Breakin Up," with lyrics that reference Neil Sedakas "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do," is a dour, menacing slow-tempo number that features growling, low-register singing. Also threatening in manner is "This Island Life," a moderate-speed song with a girl group-derived thumping beat, a more upfront chorus, and a psychedelic closing section. Most unusual of all is "Machine"; derived from synthesizer techno-dance-beat music, this selection also slows the tempo considerably from other examples in that genre, mechanizes the musical delivery, and features electronically altered vocals. Lyrics are intelligent and effective; two selections, "Agamemnon" and the title cut, have verses derived from Walter Mehrings Einfach Klassisch. Sound quality and production are good. This at times bewildering album is worth a listen, especially for those with eclectic taste. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 21 Title: Rock!!!!! Released: 1995 Tracks: 12 Duration: 32:23 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Living a Lie (02:21) 2 Tonight (01:55) 3 Bad Dream (03:31) 4 I Danced (02:13) 5 Thanksgiving (No Way Out) (03:38) 6 Dahmer Is Dead (00:40) 7 Life Is an Adventure (02:54) 8 She Went to Germany (02:24) 9 I Wanna See You Again (02:46) 10 Didgeriblues (02:34) 11 Death Drugs (03:16) 12 Sweet Worlds of Angels (04:05) |
 | Album: 10 of 21 Title: Freak Magnet Released: 1998 Tracks: 18 Duration: 53:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Hollywood Is High (02:22) 2 Freak Magnet (02:35) 3 Sleepwalkin’ (02:21) 4 All I Want (03:32) 5 New Generation (02:38) 6 In the Dark (03:50) 7 Rejoice and Be Happy (02:11) 8 Mosh Pit (02:13) 9 Forbidden (02:59) 10 When You Died (02:34) 11 At Your Feet (02:51) 12 I Danced (02:43) 13 I’m Bad (02:42) 14 Happiness Is (04:18) 15 A Story (05:00) 16 Rejoice and Be Happy (live) (02:23) 17 Freak Magnet (live) (02:35) 18 Positively 4th Street (live) (03:55) |
| Freak Magnet : Allmusic album Review : The Violent Femmes first album of new material to be released in the U.S. since 1994s muddled New Times (not counting the 1995 Australian release Rock!!!!!, reissued stateside in 1998), Freak Magnet is a pleasant surprise in its focus and consistency, marking yet another return to the groups folk-punk roots -- the punk side of the equation in particular. Gordon Gano plays electric guitar for much (though not all) of the record, turning in a series of concise, catchy pop nuggets punctuated by a romp through free jazz saxophonist Albert Aylers R&B; tune "New Generation." Although Freak Magnet doesnt really break new ground for the Femmes, its a neat encapsulation of the most effective variations on their signature sound, featuring misfit anthems (the title track, "Im Bad"), plaintive heartache ballads ("All I Want"), thrashy punk-pop ("Sleepwalkin," "Mosh Pit"), gospel ("Rejoice and Be Happy"), and folk-pop ("Forbidden"). Theres a bit of filler here, but its agreeable and good-humored, and the memorable moments outweigh it by a wide margin. Freak Magnet isnt really an artistic rebirth for the Femmes, but it is a good, solid album and a welcome return to form. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 21 Title: Viva Wisconsin Released: 1999-11-23 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:12:56 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Prove My Love (02:54) 2 I’m Nothing (02:27) 3 Country Death Song (04:50) 4 Blister in the Sun (02:32) 5 Gimme the Car (05:44) 6 Don’t Talk About My Music (Shut Your Mouth) (02:13) 7 Confessions (07:32) 8 Hallowed Ground (03:44) 9 Life Is an Adventure (02:29) 10 Old Mother Reagan (00:30) 11 Ugly (02:54) 12 Good Feeling (04:25) 13 Dahmer Is Dead (00:53) 14 American Music (04:03) 15 Special (02:14) 16 Sweet Worlds of Angels (05:17) 17 Black Girls (04:30) 18 Gone Daddy Gone (03:08) 19 Add It Up (05:59) 20 Kiss Off (04:29) |
| Viva Wisconsin : Allmusic album Review : Few bands have captured the angst, sexual frustration, and repressed rage of the 80s and 90s better than the Violent Femmes. Without falling prey to death, breakups, and commercial overexposure, the Femmes have maintained their simmering intensity with an ever-growing loyal fan base of former punks, Generation Xers, and their younger brothers and sisters. The Wisconsin trio captures nearly two decades of post-punk smarminess with Viva Wisconsin, a live retrospective recorded during a one-week tour of their home state in October 1998 that boasts a depth of song choices and performances. Whether playing their best-known hits or lesser-known classics, the band delivers great live performances with largely nothing more than the acoustic bass, drums, and guitar they are known for. The alternative radio staples "Blister in the Sun," "Gone Daddy Gone," and "Kiss Off" are here, of course, but longtime fans and new initiates will love the variety of songs spanning the bands career. Dark gems like the twisted sagas "Country Death Song," "Gimme the Car," and "Hallowed Ground" showcase singer/songwriter Gordon Ganos capacity for spinning haunting tales. Creepy anthems of alienation like "Prove My Love" and "Confessions" show off the trios musical virtuosity. Fans love the Femmes for their ability to merge punk, rockabilly, and roots rock with pain-ridden lyrics and pissed-off vibes. Their best anthems, like "American Music," "Black Girls," and the sublime "Add It Up," are played here with crackling intensity. This collection is a must for Femmes fans and a great way to introduce casual fans to the bands body of work. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 21 Title: Something’s Wrong Released: 2001 Tracks: 22 Duration: 1:08:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Positively 4th St. (02:55) 2 12 Steps (03:36) 3 All I Want (alternate version) (04:37) 4 Yes Oh Yes (03:23) 5 My Way (03:44) 6 Rules of Success (03:05) 7 Every Breath You Take (02:18) 8 Raquel (03:01) 9 Hollywood Is High (alternate version) (02:24) 10 I Wanna See You Again (02:47) 11 Reckless Stones (04:41) 12 Requiem (03:52) 13 Washtub Bender (03:28) 14 Procession (01:39) 15 Something’s Wrong (02:22) 16 36-24-36 (02:08) 17 Out the Window (03:16) 18 Werewolf (04:03) 19 I Know It’s True (04:37) 20 Fat (02:06) 21 Waiting for the Bus (02:41) 22 Herbsttag (01:54) |
 | Album: 13 of 21 Title: Permanent Record: The Very Best of Violent Femmes Released: 2005-07-12 Tracks: 20 Duration: 1:04:38 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Gimme the Car (05:08) 2 Blister in the Sun (02:24) 3 Gone Daddy Gone / I Just Want to Make Love to You (03:06) 4 Kiss Off (02:56) 5 Add It Up (04:45) 6 Black Girls (05:41) 7 Jesus Walking on the Water (03:08) 8 Children of the Revolution (04:19) 9 I Held Her in My Arms (02:53) 10 Nightmares (03:33) 11 American Music (03:50) 12 Breakin’ Up (04:01) 13 Color Me Once (04:11) 14 I Danced (02:13) 15 Country Death Song (live, 1998) (04:55) 16 Freak Magnet (02:35) 17 [silence] (00:05) 18 [silence] (00:05) 19 [silence] (00:05) 20 Good Feeling (live bonus) (04:37) |
 | Album: 14 of 21 Title: BBC Live Released: 2006 Tracks: 14 Duration: 55:12 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Look Like That (03:04) 2 Promise (02:55) 3 Out the Window (03:11) 4 Country Death Song (05:11) 5 Prove My Love (02:57) 6 Fat (02:05) 7 Flamingo Baby (04:01) 8 Good Feeling (04:17) 9 Ugly (03:08) 10 Gimme the Car (07:00) 11 Blister in the Sun (03:10) 12 American Music (03:54) 13 Kiss Off (06:29) 14 Life Is a Scream (03:42) |
| BBC Live : Allmusic album Review : Recorded live in the Summer of 1991 at Londons Town & Country Club, the Hux labels BBC Live captures all of the volatility, humor, and wounded sarcasm that the Violent Femmes bring to each and every predictably unpredictable live show (bassist Brian Ritchie traditionally dictates the set list in real time). The group had just released Why Do Birds Sing?, a return to the snarky guitar/bass/snare drum attack that fueled their classic self-titled debut nearly ten years before, and were experiencing a bit of a comeback with "American Music" and its accompanying video. The crowd is rabid and knowledgeable, belting out each and every word, which makes for an interesting juxtaposition between the sentimental strains of "Good Feeling" and the murderous "Country Death Song." The groups ability to mix devout Christianity with sex, drugs, and rock & roll without seeming the least bit contrived has always been both a virtue and a hindrance. The Violent Femmes have always been a polarizing band, but you wouldnt know it listening to a gaggle of British girls yell out ""Jesus Walking on the Water"" during the guitar intro to "Kiss Off." Great stuff for longtime fans. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 21 Title: Archive Series No. 1: Live in Iceland: “According to Tradition” Released: 2006-07-27 Tracks: 6 Duration: 38:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Confessions (11:55) 2 Black Girls (04:44) 3 More Money Tonight (05:02) 4 I Held Her in My Arms (04:40) 5 Waiting for the Bus (03:54) 6 Add It Up (08:34) |
 | Album: 16 of 21 Title: Archive Series No. 2: Live in Chicago: Q101 Released: 2006-09 Tracks: 8 Duration: 00:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Freak Magnet (?) 2 Rejoice and Be Happy (?) 3 Country Death Song (?) 4 Blister in the Sun (?) 5 I’m Nothing (?) 6 In the Dark (?) 7 All I Want (?) 8 American Music (?) |
 | Album: 17 of 21 Title: Archive Series Nos. 1 & 2 Released: 2007 Tracks: 15 Duration: 38:49 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Freak Magnet (?) 2 Rejoice and Be Happy (?) 3 Country Death Song (?) 4 Blister in the Sun (?) 5 I’m Nothing (?) 6 In the Dark (?) 7 All I Want (?) 8 Up From the Grave He Rose (?) 9 American Music (?) 10 Confessions (11:55) 11 Black Girls (04:44) 12 More Money Tonight (05:02) 13 I Held Her in My Arms (04:40) 14 Waiting for the Bus (03:54) 15 Add It Up (08:34) |
 | Album: 18 of 21 Title: Original Album Series Released: 2011 Tracks: 57 Duration: 3:11:44 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Blister in the Sun (02:24) 2 Kiss Off (02:56) 3 Please Do Not Go (04:15) 4 Add It Up (04:43) 5 Confessions (05:32) 6 Prove My Love (02:38) 7 Promise (02:49) 8 To the Kill (04:00) 9 Gone Daddy Gone (03:06) 10 Good Feeling (03:50) 1 Country Death Song (05:02) 2 I Hear the Rain (01:32) 3 Never Tell (07:10) 4 Jesus Walking on the Water (03:06) 5 I Know It’s True but I’m Sorry to Say (05:05) 6 Hallowed Ground (04:18) 7 Sweet Misery Blues (02:51) 8 Black Girls (05:41) 9 It’s Gonna Rain (04:11) 1 Old Mother Reagan (00:31) 2 No Killing (05:13) 3 Faith (04:14) 4 Breakin’ Hearts (02:15) 5 Special (02:18) 6 Love & Me Make Three (02:53) 7 Candlelight Song (03:11) 8 I Held Her in My Arms (02:52) 9 Children of the Revolution (04:19) 10 Good Friend (03:28) 11 Heartache (02:02) 12 Cold Canyon (03:22) 13 Two People (00:58) 1 Nightmares (03:33) 2 Just Like My Father (01:42) 3 Dating Days (03:14) 4 Fat (01:49) 5 Fool in the Full Moon (04:25) 6 Nothing Worth Living For (04:21) 7 World We’re Living In (05:16) 8 Outside the Palace (02:38) 9 Telephone Book (01:41) 10 Mother of a Girl (02:41) 11 Lies (01:31) 12 See My Ships (03:17) 1 American Music (03:50) 2 Out the Window (02:52) 3 Look Like That (02:45) 4 Do You Really Want to Hurt Me (04:50) 5 Hey Nonny Nonny (04:34) 6 Used to Be (03:38) 7 Girl Trouble (02:58) 8 He Likes Me (03:07) 9 Life Is a Scream (01:54) 10 Flamingo Baby (02:37) 11 Lack of Knowledge (01:54) 12 More Money Tonight (03:59) 13 I’m Free (03:25) |
 | Album: 19 of 21 Title: Happy New Year Released: 2015-04-18 Tracks: 4 Duration: 13:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Happy New Year Next Year (01:38) 2 Love Love Love Love Love (03:42) 3 Good for/at Nothing (03:04) 4 Fast Horses (04:36) |
 | Album: 20 of 21 Title: We Can Do Anything Released: 2016-03-04 Tracks: 10 Duration: 30:25 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Memory (03:03) 2 I Could Be Anything (03:42) 3 Issues (03:05) 4 Holy Ghost (02:35) 5 What You Really Mean (03:51) 6 Foothills (02:43) 7 Traveling Solves Everything (02:58) 8 Big Car (02:55) 9 Untrue Love (03:16) 10 I’m Not Done (02:12) |
| We Can Do Anything : Allmusic album Review : The Violent Femmes spent the bulk of the 21st century either touring their old hits or suing each other over the proper royalty payment of said hits. Gordon Gano and Brian Ritchie buried that hatchet in 2012 and reunited the following year, losing drummer Victor de Lorenzo after those 30th anniversary concerts -- but the pair soldiered on, recording We Can Do Anything, the bands first album of original material in 16 years, with Dresden Dolls drummer Brian Viglione. We Can Do Anything doesnt bear any signs of outright animosity: Gano sounds as twitchy as ever, always poised on the brink of apoplexy, either at himself or some piece of nonsense, while Ritchie shouts back in solidarity or sarcasm. The years have turned the Femmes rare ballads into something sweet and bruised -- "What You Really Mean" is as romantic and affecting as this group has ever gotten -- and that functions as a nice counterpoint to the numbers where the geekiness feels studied, pushing the tunes toward the realm of novelty. This delicate balance of tone always proved to be a problem for the Violent Femmes -- declarations of angst and galloping cowboy numbers begin to curdle past their sell-by date -- but even if the middle-aged Gano and Ritchie cant resist the clarion call of drunken sea shanties or tunes better suited for a kids records, they do know how to use their craft to not only sharpen the songs themselves, but the record. Even when things get silly on We Can Do Anything, the silliness blows on by, headed toward a bit of revved-up folk or unexpected introspection, and those twists are what makes the album worth hearing. | ||
 | Album: 21 of 21 Title: 2 Mics & the Truth: Unplugged & Unhinged in America Released: 2017-07-21 Tracks: 24 Duration: 00:00 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Blister in the Sun (WXRV) (?) 2 I’m Nothing (PASTE) (?) 3 It’s Gonna Rain (PASTE) (?) 4 Breaking Up (WFUV) (?) 5 Traveling Solves Everything (KINK) (?) 6 Good for/at Nothing (WFUV) (?) 7 Memory (KINK) (?) 8 American Music (KINK) (?) 9 Gone Daddy Gone / I Just Want to Make Love to You (WXPN) (?) 10 Love Love Love Love Love (KCMP) (?) 11 Big Car (WXPN) (?) 12 Untrue Love (PASTE) (?) 1 I Could Be Anything (WFUV) (?) 2 Rejoice and Be Happy (KCMP) (?) 3 Add It Up (WFUV) (?) 4 No Killing (WYEP) (?) 5 You Move Me (WXPN) (?) 6 Run With It (WFUV) (?) 7 Ugly (WXRV) (?) 8 Kiss Off (WXRV) (?) 9 Jesus Walking on the Water (WFUV) (?) 10 Prove My Love (WFUV) (?) 11 Country Death Song (WFUV) (?) 12 What You Really Mean (WXPN) (?) |