The Artist/Album: Violent Femmes, Violent Femmes (Slash, 1983)
Our Review: Aside from housing a future Gnarls Barkley cover and one of Angela Chase’s favorite songs, Violent Femmes’ self-titled debut is easily one of the most emo albums of all time. Not in the Chris Carrabba or Rites of Spring sense of the word, more like in how a young Gordon Gano–just 20 years old at the time–shuddered and shook with waves of sexual frustration, capturing generations of lust and longing with such instant college rock anthems as “Blister in the Sun,” “Kiss Off” and “Add It Up.” So contrary to popular belief, sad kid, your complete set of Emo Diaries compilations has got nothing on such blunt, id-exorcising lines as “That bitch took my money, and she went to Chicago/ If I ain’t already enough, sick and alone” or “Why can’t I get just one screw?/ Believe me, I’d know what to do/ But something won’t let me make love to you.” Someone give this guy a hug. Seriously.
Available: Amazon · Insound · iTunes
Stream ‘Violent Femmes’ in its entirety via Spotify below…
