This self-titled debut from Milwaukee folk-punk cult heroes Violent Femmes first came out in 1983. When we heard it then, we couldn't believe our ears. Now, of course, we get it -- we can see that they melded the boho playfulness of Jonathan Richman, the jittery paranoia of David Byrne and the bleak literacy of Lou Reed with country, folk, pop, rock, gothic Americana and a hefty helping of teen angst to fashion new wave faves like Blister in the Sun, Add it Up, Kiss Off and Gone Daddy Gone. But we still can't figure out how they pulled it off -- especially armed with cheap acoustic guitars, an oversized Mariachi bass and an upended bucket on a snare drum.

Listening to this deluxe two-CD reissue, though, you can see this album was no fluke. Along with the remastered original tracks, you get three dozen demos, unreleased songs and live cuts that are every bit as idiosyncratic and mesmerizing as the rest of this timeless disc.

Hear for yourself. But we warn you: You still won't believe it. (More on Violent Femmes)

Track Listing
Disc 1:
1. Blister In The Sun
2. Kiss Off
3. Please Do Not Go
4. Add It Up
5. Confessions
6. Prove My Love
7. Promise
8. To The Kill
9. Gone Daddy Gone
10. Good Feeling
11. Girl Trouble (Demo)
12. Breakin' Up (Demo)
13. Waiting For The Bus (Demo)
14. Blister In The Sun (Demo)
15. Kiss Off (Demo)
16. Please Do Not Go (Demo)
17. Add It Up (Demo)
18. Confessions (Demo)
19. Prove My Love (Demo)
20. Ugly (UK Single)
21. Gimme The Car (UK Single)


Disc 2:
1. Special (Live)
2. Country Death Song (Live)
3. To The Kill (Live)
4. Never Tell (Live)
5. Break Song (Live)
6. Her Television (Live)
7. How Do You Say Goodbye (Live)
8. Theme And Variations (Live)
9. Prove My Love (Live)
10. Gone Daddy Gone (Live)
11. Promise (Live)
12. In Style (Live)
13. Add It Up (Live)
14. Michael Feldman (Live)
15. Kiss Off (Live)