When the Violent Femmes released their first albums in the early 80s, they apparently caused some rather huge waves with their folk-punk. I of course wouldn’t know, I was too scared to go to kindergarten for the first time around that same time. Years and years later, Violent Femmes would call it a day but by then it didn’t seem like a lot of people still cared. While the Femmes were suing each other over whether or not their music should be used in a Wendy’s commercial, two brothers (Billy and Brendan Ryan) were spending their time in a band called The Bogmen. They sounded like U2 meets Talking Heads. Or so I’ve read on the internets because I’ve never heard of The Bogmen in my life.
They got together, one thing led to another and before you know it, they had a full-length in their hands. People who are hoping to hear Violent Femmes – the sequel will be disappointed. “Way That I Creep” references The Cramps, “Wave And Water” sounds like the Talking Heads and the Jayhawks aren’t far away in “Home” and the whole album has a somber Nick Cave kinda vibe going on. And then there’s “Oholah Oholibah”, which could very well become the next big hit at Jewish parties after “Hava Negilah”!
In other words, “Under The Sun” is a very enjoyable album and it kinda makes me wonder why Gano didn’t leave the Violent Femmes earlier to start another band like this one.
Score: 8 out of 10
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