Review: Violent Femmes – Happy New Year EP

Violent Femmes
Happy New Year EP

Add It Up Productions
Street: 04.21
Violent Femmes = Camper Van Beethoven – Cracker + David Lowery

Violent Femmes are a band from a different, simpler time, when indie/alternative rock was fairly indistinguishable from old style rock n’ roll, and enjoying music wasn’t the complicated wading through a thicket of niches it is today. In one of the most surprising offerings on this year’s Record Store Day, the trio released its first new music in a decade and a half. Their minimalist guitar/drum approach still works, Gordon Gano’s slightly off-key vocals as disarming as ever. They’re said to be working on a longer follow-up, it’s good to know some things don’t change. –Stakerized!