Nuggets
As I go through the process of pulling albums out of my collection and throwing them out to all of you, I regularly think to myself, "this one should have been in the top 50" and this week's pick is no exception.
The violent femmes came blasting onto the scene the year the gotham gal and I graduated from college. That would be 1983 to be exact.
Their debut self titled record is a classic and every single song on it is a must listen.
I was reminded of their brillance this week by tapes 'n tapes' cowbell.
Gordon Gano's angst ridden alt-rock vocal style has been copied by many bands over the years, but any post on the Violent Femmes would be remiss if it didn't mention the Violent Femmes debt to Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground and Jonathan Richman, both favorites of mine as well.
I am fairly sure than many late 30s/early 40s readers will be familiar with this record and will share my love of it.
For those of you too young to have this record in your collection/library, I can only encourage you to get it.
Immediately.
People worry.. what are they worried about today?
I'm only in my late 20s but this album is definitely appreciated and even if it was already 10 years old it was a key part of the soundtrack to my high school years.
By the way, hip-hop duo Roosevelt Franklin just released a free album that includes a song ("I Saw it on Oprah") which borrows a riff from this Femmes album.
You can see more about the album here at my site or here for an easy way to download the individual songs including "I Saw it on Oprah".
Posted by: rafi | March 24, 2006 at 09:49 AM
Ok, "plate o' shrimp" time. I haven't thought about the Femmes in *years*. Then, two days ago, I see this post:
http://www.typepadhacks.org/2006/03/this_will_go_do.html#comments
(check out the headline and the comments)
Now you put up your post.
Something strange is afoot...
Posted by: Christopher Carfi | March 24, 2006 at 09:59 AM
Yes - This album I didn't quite get into until the summer between my Sr. year in high school and my freshman year in college. (1987) But it changed my life. :--)
Truly brilliant. I'm still amazed that more people don't know and love Good Feeling. A song I have listened to 1,000 times at least.
aahhhh, the memories.
Posted by: Paul | March 24, 2006 at 11:38 AM
* couldn't agree more
* I bought the 2 CD 20th anniversary a few years back.
* so many great concerts & memories
Posted by: iain | March 24, 2006 at 01:24 PM
No doubt. A classic. Great songs with great arrangements recorded impeccibly.
Posted by: jackson | March 24, 2006 at 01:30 PM
Fred...
If you have a moment check out http://www.orb.com - talk about GET IT... I wish I had thought of this idea. Simply brilliant and it WORDS... solves all your DRM issues and plays your content anywhere in the world you can access the Internet and you will love the business model "FREEMIUM"
Peter
Posted by: Peter Cranstone | March 24, 2006 at 01:52 PM
Hey there,
Long time reader, first time commenter...I saw Tapes n' Tapes last night here in the San Francisco. Great show...they have a very unique energy.
And even though I was only 4 when the Femmes' album came out, I think they are brilliant. They were at the Fillmore (west)recently and are still incredible 20 some odd years later.
Enjoy your weekend. Go Huskies! (That's Washington Huskies to be exact)
Adam
Posted by: Adam | March 24, 2006 at 04:50 PM
For what it's worth, everyone I know who is over 25 knows this album, so it had even more generational reach than you might have supposed.
Posted by: Nathan D | March 24, 2006 at 05:51 PM
AGREED. The soundtrack for my college experience...and a regular play in the mix shuffle...
Posted by: The Jamoker | March 25, 2006 at 11:26 AM