Femmes fatality

Press, 13 February 1986, Page 18

Femmes fatality

THE VIOLENT FEMMES “The Blind Leading The Naked” (Big Time 8T7057).“The Blind Leading The Naked” is not the LP you may have expected from The Violent Femmes, if you own their first two (essential) LPs, and saw their sublime concert in early 1984. Their new material (previewed at last week’s concert at The Theatre Royal) dispenses with the economy of the band’s normal threepiece sound in favour of numerous guest musicians and a much fuller production, courtesy Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads.

The result is an album that covers more ground than the other two put together, but sees the Milwaukee trio stretching their musical resources pretty thin in the process.

The Femmes’ strength is in taut, streamlined mini-epics such as “Country Death Song” or “Confessions,” but most of the new LP is relaxed, almost jovial in places. “No Killing” is an exception, breaking new ground for the band with some overtly political sentiments, but the lyrics lack the cynical insight that typifies their best songs.

“Faith” is one of three songs with a religious flavour (Gano is a practising Christian), but a combination of tired

lyrics and a geriatric R ‘n’ B riff give this the dubious honour of being the worst Femmes song ever — surely things must improve?

Weil ... a little, at least on side one. “Break in’ Hearts” is a short, sharp reminder of that classic first LP, while “Special” works into a frenzy, also reminding us how good a singer Gordon Gano can be.

The bassist, Brian Ritchie, is responsible for cajoling the band into covering the old T-Rex song, “Children Of The Revolution,” an odd choice, but the only song here that really suits the full sound. “Good Friend” and “Heartache,” also on side two, are both average songs that would not have made it onto the earlier records.

Four songs remain on

“The Blind Leading The Naked,” and these form the real heart of the record, starting with the concert opener, a wild piece of hardcore rockabilly titled “Old Mother Reagan.” “Candlelight Song” is both scary and beautiful, while “Cold Canyon” is a breathless ride on Victor Delorenzo’s drums — imagine the film “Deliverance” compressed into five minutes, and you’ll have some idea. The other high spot on this inconsistent LP Is “I Held Her In My Arms,” with another uncertain but charming Gano lyric. Tbe Violent Femmes try everything on “The Blind Leading The Naked,” but, unfortunately, the old minimalist charm is sadly lacking. — TONY GREEN.