To celebrate 40 years since the release of their self-titled debut, the spirited acoustic punk band Violent Femmes have prepared a new deluxe edition, out Friday. The Associated Press’ Jim Pollock says it is a brilliantly curated collection of artifacts, demos, and live performances that capture the band’s energy and humor. Alternate versions of popular favorites such as “Blister in the Sun,” “Gone Daddy Gone,” and “Add It Up” all sound crisp without sacrificing the band’s messy intensity. The gem of the collection is the live recordings, curated from two 1981 Milwaukee shows and one 1983 New York City performance.
