TCCDM Pulls One Out..."Violent Femmes" - Violent Femmes (1983)

"Violent Femmes" - Violent Femmes (1983)

     I picked up a copy of the Violent Femmes album in Goddard, KS, for $40 at a yard sale.  I've seen them go for much higher.  The record had three stickers plastered on the front cover, and after taking a closer look, I thought that when I took it home, I could remove them by using the blow-dryer trick.  I'd had some good luck in the past, and it almost worked...but then it didn't.  Not this time.  

     The first sticker came off easy-peasy.  It practically fell off on its own.  But the sticker right above was not as friendly.  It started coming up easy, but slower…at first.  And then right about in the middle, the sticker began pulling the ink from the album.  I wasn't rushing, but it was too late.  I don't understand it.  The third, smaller round sticker, I just left alone.  I'm so bummed.  I'll leave a picture of the album cover below so you can see the difference.  It's not terribly egregious.  The cover is completely smooth, with no flakiness at all.  But it's right there and can't be missed.  I'm so disappointed.  Whaddyagonnado?

(Before stickers were removed)

     Fortunately, the vinyl is a strong VG+ and sounds fantastic.  I mean, really good!  Better than my CD.  The needle brings the music out in spades.  Angsty lo-fi alternative folk-rock goodness right here, folks.  A cornucopia of snark, plus some xylophone shredding that kills. 

"Violent Femmes" - Violent Femmes (back)

"Violent Femmes" - Violent Femmes
(sleeve front & back)

Favorites include:
"Kiss Off"
"Add It Up"
"Gone Daddy Gone"
"Blister In The Sun"

     This one is not an original copy, but it is a very early pressing on the Slash Records label.  Originals have the "two-tone" colored label.  It comes with a custom-printed inner sleeve featuring song lyrics.  Apart from my mishap, there is no ringwear, the corners are sharp, and the spine is clean.  I'm trying to make an omelet out of the broken egg!  Anyway, taking a left turn, drummer Victor DeLorenzo plays a tranceaphone on this album, which he created.  It's a metal bushel basket turned upside down onto a tom, and played with steel brushes.  Also, singer/songwriter Gordon Gano was still in high school, dropping pencils when he wrote most of these songs.

Slash Records label

Cat #
1-23845
SIDE A  DEADWAX
1-23845-A-SH2  ɑ  B-18958-ASH2  SLM △ 6040 0̶2̶S̶M̶1̶ 1̶-̶2̶   SP. 0-1 SM1-1  
SIDE B  DEADWAX
1-23845-B SR1  SP  1-1

"Kiss Off" - Violent Femmes / "Violent Femmes" (1983)

TRACKS:
A1  "Blister In The Sun" 2:23
A2  "Kiss Off" 2:53
A3  "Please Do Not Go" 4:15
A4  "Add It Up" 4:44
A5  "Confessions" 5:27
B1  "Prove My Love" 2:37
B2  "Promise" 2:48
B3  "To The Kill" 3:59
B4  "Gone Daddy Gone" 3:03
B5  "Good Feeling" 3:49

PERSONNEL: 
Victor DeLorenzo - snare drum, tranceaphone, drum set, scotch marching bass drum, b-vocals
Gordon Gano - vocals, acoustic/electric guitars, violin
Brian Ritchie - acoustic/electric bass, xylophone, b-vocals
ADDITIONAL:
Mark Van Hecke - production, piano (B5)

Good stuff.

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