3After some arguments and disappointment over the failure of the last album, they decided to take a break.
And here they give life to three solo works: Gordon with the Mercy Seat, and two albums from the versatile bassist, the first splendid one (The Blend), a surprise, quirky but absolutely recommended.
In 1990, it will be Victor De Lorenzo's turn with the decent "Peter Corey Sent Me".
But it's not an irreparable argument; Gordon and Brian know this, even in recent times they have argued in court, as the bassist was claiming some author's rights.
He lost, backed down, and they released their latest album this year, appreciable more as a sign of life than for its quality.
"3," which stands for trio, is actually the 4, at first glance a disappointment.
Probably after the unsuccessful attempt to establish themselves in the market with "The Blind Leading The Naked," the reformed Femmes return to the atmospheres of the first two albums.
The plan doesn't succeed completely, also because Gordon Gano's creative streak seems to have undergone a sudden slowdown.
Few truly memorable tracks, certainly the first single "Nightmares" accompanied by a nice black and white video, "Dating Days," the funny "Fat," and "World We're Living In".
The two ballads placed at the end of the two sides do not convince while "Outside the Palace" imitates, like "Confessions" from the first album, Bob Dylan.
The record itself is not bad, unfortunately, it doesn't hold up in comparison with what has been done before. They will return in 1991 with "Why Do Birds Sing?" where they will shuffle the cards once again.