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Original Lp

Released in the UK in 1983, the first pressing of Violent Femmes [Rough Trade ROUGH 55] still stands up well, with one satisfied customer on Discogs proclaiming it to be 'one of the best-sounding first presses I own'. The handwritten lyrics on the inner sleeve are another nice touch.

First Cd

Violent Femmes' US label Slash didn't wait too long to reissue the album on the much-hyped new format - it was only four years old when it appeared on compact disc in 1987 [Slash - 9 23845-2], complete with bonus tracks 'Ugly' and 'Gimme The Car' appropriated from a limited edition stand-alone single. The band were rewarded with Violent Femmes' highest placing in the Billboard chart to date: No 171.

British and European fans had to wait until CD was the dominant format in order for London records to license the album in 1991 [London 828-032-2, pictured above] and we weren't deemed important enough to get the bonus tracks or the lyric sheet in the inlay.

In either case, the sound quality didn't make the most of the format's capabilities - it would take a later expanded remaster to offer a noticeable upgrade on the original.

Deluxe Reissue

If you're not fussed about owning the album in a big, beautiful LP sleeve, this 20th anniversary edition [Rhino 8122-78242-2] from 2002 will be the best value option. The original ten songs are accompanied by the same two bonus tracks from before, plus some energetic demos, 13 live tracks, and an interview with Wisconsin radio DJ Michael Feldman that precedes a spirited version of 'Kiss Off'.

It's also arguably the best-sounding incarnation of the record out there, with the mastering retaining the essential quiet-loud/sad-angry aesthetic that gave this band's songs so much character.

Audiophile Vinyl

A handsome box set version of the album arrived in 2024 [Craft 7256105], released to mark a slightly belated 40th anniversary celebration. It's described by Craft as being 'housed in a lift-top box with die-cut darkened window detail revealing the box contents', and there's no doubt it's a highly covetable item, including the remastered original album on 180g vinyl, similarly weighty second and third discs with demos and live tracks, and a neat 7in reissue of the 'Ugly'/'Gimme The Car' 1983 single as a bonus.

Violent Femmes fans who have £130 burning a hole in their pocket can knock themselves out, but so far reports online suggest the mastering of the original album by Kevin Gray isn't up to his usual standards. I hope that doesn't go down on his permanent record...