LogFAQs > #954394734

Every time I try to reference a specific instrument, I panic. I really hope what I refer to as a bass below is actually a bass.

206. Violent Femmes Blister in the Sun (1983)
from the album Violent Femmes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE-dqW4uBEE

Key lyrics:
Im high as a kite, I just might
Stop to check you out

Folk punk is one of those genres that sounds like a conceptual mismatch until you hear it. Punk becomes something else entirely while played on acoustic instruments. A quintessential punk song, one might not even stop to consider how unique Blister in the Sun is among the pack. Violent Femmes exist at the opposite extreme of the Ramones, finding a niche so singular that no one else has managed to capture the spirit to widespread success.

Its hard to beat the opening riff of Blister in the Sun. The acoustic bass captures a playful energy all by itself, twice punctuated by the drums before the other instruments join in. Through most of the verses, the song captures a frenetic energy, but without the aggression typical of most punk acts. Key to the whole structure is a quiet section, where whispered vocals are left with a gentle drum patter and the riff. All three grow increasingly quiet as the section plays out, only to immediately explode to the normal volume without missing a beat. Even throughout the quiet section, the song never loses its propulsive energy. In an era where punk was turning increasingly hardcore, Violent Femmes veered in the opposite direction and stumbled across a truly timeless sound.

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My top 100 games (with write-ups): https://foolfantastic.com/top-100-video-games-project/