Stripped down to their basics, can the Femmes find the fire? Violent Femmes – 3 – 1988 (iTunes – Amazon) You know what? I think the Violent Femmes are just exhausted. They cut their teeth busking on the streets of Milwaukee and they were hungry and edgy and young. Look Continue Reading

The 3rd Femmes record. Bigger production. Better distribution. So, what happened? Violent Femmes – The Blind Leading the Naked – 1986 (iTunes – Amazon) I really couldn’t wait for this album to come out. I think I got it at Tower THAT day. And then I think I listened to Continue Reading

Their debut was a seminal Indie college radio release. How did Violent Femmes follow it up? Violent Femmes – Hallowed Ground – 1984 (iTunes) For my money, Hallowed Ground is Violent Femmes best work. It is one of the darkest albums (Country Death Song, a powerfully crafted masterstroke of familial Continue Reading

It took 10 years for their debut album to make platinum status. They became darlings of the Indie scene in the 90s. And they have fallen off the face of the Earth. I’m gonna go back and give the Femmes a more than cursory listen. Violent Femmes – Violent Femmes Continue Reading