Ramones - Ramones (Dlx)
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Free Music Notes for Ramones (Dlx)
Free Music Review: The Ramones Heard 'Round the World
Hit: 5 Stars
They were so stupid they were brilliant. Their songs were so short they were mini-symphonies. The formula was so obvious it took four drug-addled kids who could barely hold their instruments, much less play them, from a suburb of New York City to discover it... and once they discovered it, the world of music would never be the same. The Ramones--Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Tommy--were the least likeliest of geniuses, and that is what made them great. The Ramones were the troublemakers at the pearly gates of rock'n'roll, and when no one was looking, busted the party wide open way back Bicentennial 1976. Trampling over the bloated likes of the Eagles, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd, the Ramones paved the way for a whole rowdy slew of malcontents. All the upstarts, the dreamers, the misfits, the outcasts, the loners who didn't quite have the courage to begin before then suddenly found the Ramones holding the freak flag high: "Hey-ho, let's GO!" and it was all up for grabs...
I'm not going to get into the old argument about who the first punk band was. That's not really what this review is about. But this is definitely an album that every punk rocker owned back in the day when there were about three punk rock albums ever, so think about that!
You know the drill: songs under three minutes, most not reaching two-and-a-half, three buzz-saw guitar chords, a nasally, Brooklyn-by-way-of-the-UK singer, and the cute/dumb cartoon lyrics:
Beat on the brat
Beat on the brat
Beat on the brat
with a baseball bat
What can you do?
What can you lose?
This debut album, produced in 1976 for $6000 in a studio inside Radio City Music Hall, is barely 26 minutes long. It had no hit singles. It contains uncomfortable Nazi references, a song about sniffing glue, a song about male prostitution, a Sixties cover, one romantic tune, and no solos. In short, my recipe for a perfect album.
"Blitzkrieg Bop" opens the album, and if ever there was a more perfect Song One, Side One, then I don't know it. This is what the Ramones always would be about: a glorious, blissfully infectious tune celebrating the sheer unstoppable joy of rock'n'roll. To wit:
They're formin' in a straight line
They're goin' through a tight wind
The kids are losin' their minds
The Blitzkrieg Bop!
They're pilin' in the back seat
They're generatin' steam heat
Pulsatin' to the backbeat
The Blitzkrieg Bop!
Hey, Ho, ah let's go
Shoot 'em in the back now
What they want I don't know
They're all revved up and ready to go!
A dozen classics, hot on the heels of this one, follow in breathless, breakneck speed, slowing down only so Dee Dee can count off one more time: "1-2-3-4!" The minute-and-a-half "Judy is a Punk" introduces the type of characters that will populate Ramones' songs for the next two decades. Tough, nutty, mental cases whose sole allegiance is to, well, the Ramones. Count me in!
"53rd and 3rd" has claimed its place as one of the Ramones finest songs. Its downbeat, mid-tempo grind is refreshing after the previous on-slaught, and its realistic lyrics are an unexpected, um, treat. It's a street's-eye view of degradation without exploitation or moralizing.
53rd and 3rd--Standing on the street
53rd and 3rd--You're the one they never pick
53rd and 3rd--Don't it make ya feel sick?
Then I pulled out my razor blade
Then I did what God forbade
Now the cops are after me
But I proved that I'm no sissy
Whew. Troubled Dee Dee lived a hair-raising life in pursuit of heroin, but he doesn't glorify it. In fact, besides the hilarious "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue," the Ramones refused to do songs about serious drugs. Johnny Thunders they weren't.
The album ends with two blistering powerhouses, "I Don't Wanna Walk Around with You" and "Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World." The latter song contains those Nazi references I was talking about:
I'm a Nazi schatze, baby
I fight for the Fatherland
I'm a Nazi baby, I'm a Nazi yes I am
Scandalous! Nothing really to worry about, just shock tactics from the first generation of kids after the war--they had to do something, right?
So, 14 songs in 26 minutes. Before you know it, the whole album is over, but it leaves you exhilirated, inspired, dizzy. Just imagine what it must've been like to hear it in 1976! You're left with only a buzzing in your ears and a desire to figure out just a couple chords on that old guitar you never quite got the hang of. It's all power chords, baby! That's rock'n'roll. I recently listened to this album on vinyl, and it was amazing, pure aural amphetamine.
Free Music Review: The Ramones Heard 'Round the World
Hit: 5 Stars
They were so stupid they were brilliant. Their songs were so short they were mini-symphonies. The formula was so obvious it took four drug-addled kids who could barely hold their instruments, much less play them, from a suburb of New York City to discover it... and once they discovered it, the world of music would never be the same. The Ramones--Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Tommy--were the least likeliest of geniuses, and that is what made them great.The Ramones were the troublemakers at the pearly gates of rock'n'roll, and when no one was looking, busted the party wide open way back Bicentennial 1976. Trampling over the bloated likes of the Eagles, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and Pink Floyd, the Ramones paved the way for a whole rowdy slew of malcontents. All the upstarts, the dreamers, the misfits, the outcasts, the loners who didn't quite have the courage to begin before then suddenly found the Ramones holding the freak flag high: "Hey-ho, let's GO!" and it was all up for grabs...
I'm not going to get into the old argument about who the first punk band was. That's not really what this review is about. But this is definitely an album that every punk rocker owned back in the day when there were about three punk rock albums ever, so think about that!
You know the drill: songs under three minutes, most not reaching two-and-a-half, three buzz-saw guitar chords, a nasally, Brooklyn-by-way-of-the-UK singer, and the cute/dumb cartoon lyrics:
"Beat on the brat
Beat on the brat
Beat on the brat
with a baseball bat
What can you do?
What can you lose?"
"Blitzkrieg Bop" opens the album, and if ever there was a more perfect Song One, Side One, then I don't know it. This is what the Ramones always would be about: a glorious, blissfully infectious tune celebrating the sheer unstoppable joy of rock'n'roll.
A baker's dozen of classics, hot on the heels of this one, follow in breathless, breakneck speed, slowing down only so Dee Dee can count off one more time: "1-2-3-4!" The minute-and-a-half "Judy is a Punk" introduces the type of characters that will populate Ramones' songs for the next two decades. Tough, nutty, mental cases whose sole allegiance is to, well, the Ramones. Count me in!
"53rd and 3rd" has claimed its place as one of the Ramones finest songs. Its downbeat, mid-tempo grind is refreshing after the previous on-slaught, and its realistic lyrics are an unexpected, um, treat. It's a street's-eye view of degradation without exploitation or moralizing.
"53rd and 3rd--Standing on the street
53rd and 3rd--You're the one they never pick
53rd and 3rd--Don't it make ya feel sick?
Then I pulled out my razor blade
Then I did what God forbade
Now the cops are after me"
But I proved that I'm no sissy
Whew. Troubled Dee Dee lived a hair-raising life in pursuit of heroin, but he doesn't glorify it. In fact, besides the hilarious "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue," the Ramones refused to do songs about serious drugs. Johnny Thunders they weren't.
So, 14 songs in 26 minutes. Before you know it, the whole album is over, but it leaves you exhilirated, inspired, dizzy. Just imagine what it must've been like to hear it in 1976! You're left with only a buzzing in your ears and a desire to figure out just a couple chords on that old guitar you never quite got the hang of. It's all power chords, baby! That's rock'n'roll. I recently listened to this album on vinyl, and it was amazing, pure aural amphetamine.
These new Rhino remasters do the Ramones every justice, with demos, lovely liner notes, rare photos (really!), lyrics and little note from long-time pal Arturo Vega about the loss of our pinhead leader. You need this, man.
Free Music Review: Revolutionized rock and roll
Hit: 5 Stars
When this debut album by the RAMONES came out in 1976, it was perhaps the most revolutionary rock album since the BEATLES White Album. It was certainly the most original and influential album of the late 1970's and possibly more so than anything that has been released since then.
Some might be skeptical of my first paragraph, until you realize that the RAMONES (and this album) didn't just introduce the no-holds barred, autobahn fast, three chord punk rock genre to the world; but the RAMONES also influenced the creation of new branches of heavy metal - namely, speed and thrash metal.
And their influence didn't just stop there: In the early and mid-80's us goths were into bands like Depeche Mode, the Smiths, Joy Division, The Cure, Bauhaus, Love and Rockets, etc....all of us ALSO wore RAMONES shirts, we loved the Ramones, and we still do. Robert Smith of the Cure and Martin Gore of Depeche Mode have both worn RAMONES shirts onstage and cite them as influences. This is in no small part due to their lyrics being so dark and reflective of teen alienation with society. The sadly deceased Johnny Ramone would probably roll over in his grave if he knew that he and his band were being lumped into the same category with those goth bands that I just named....but...sorry Johnny, your band will always be one of our favorites.
Is this a "heavy metal" album (or band) as some reviewers below say? Well, I remember that they opened for Black Sabbath back in the 70's not long after this album came out. After a few minutes, the audience of metal hippies threw bottles and other trash at the Ramones, and ran them off the stage. Apparently, metal fans at that time were partial to these slow, drawn out, twenty minute songs with the long wanky guitar solos. The Ramones (whose songs on this album all clocked in under three minutes, and around only two) didn't buy into this, so the Ramones musical style as opposed to the heavy metal of the 70's was much different (though, again, they would influence many later heavy metal genres and bands....metal bands like Motorhead, Slayer, Metallica, Guns N Roses, Anthrax, and many other bands cite the Ramones as huge influences).
So, the Ramones "metal?" Well, all I can say is that if it floats your boat then call them what you want...hell, if calling the Ramones a metal band will make you like the band and buy their albums (esp. this one), then you can call em' a polka band, a jazz band, whatever for all I care. Just buy this record, you won't regret it.
My personal opinion? The Ramones not only hold the patent on punk rock, they were punk rock back in the days when "punk" meant something more than overpriced Hot Topic shirts from the shopping mall or car pool rides to Good Charlotte concerts with your mom and little sister. Oy Vay. Enjoy this album.
Free Music Review: The Citizen Kane of Punk
Hit: 5 Stars
1976 was a watershed year in rock & roll history. It divided everything into pre- and post-Ramones eras.
Really, can you even begin to try to imagine the existence of The Clash, Sex Pistols, The Rezillos, Dead Kennedys, Buzzcocks and Minor Threat sans Ramones? Unthinkable!
Can you imagine later punk bands without the influence of Joey's warbling voice and Johnny's fuzzbox guitar strumming in cut-time gone haywire?
Strangely, the Ramones never sold out, because they understood intuitively that what rock was about was reaching as many ears as possible. Yet, they never really caught on in the AT40 sense the way bands like The Clash did. The Ramones pined for fame and fortune, whereas it became the kiss of death for these other bands to be thought of as "mainstream." That was the biggest hypocrisy of punk: Once it became a "movement," too many poseurs became keepers of an elitist, exclusive flame. The Ramones, than God, never fell prey to this childish idiocy.
The first four songs on this album: "Blitzkrieg Bop," "Beat On the Brat," "Judy Is a Punk," "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend." Wow! Elvis and the Beatles should've been so lucky for a playlist that hot!
"Chainsaw": This is officially the first Ramones song in which Joey butchers the English language to get the rhyme:
Texas chain saw massacree
They took my baby away from me
Ha ha!
"Havana Affair" and "52rd & 3rd" are the catchiest tunes on this record. "Havana" catches the flavor of surfer songs, though it places them in Banana Republics with JFK on a PT boat and 53rd unequivocally ties the band to their streets of New York City roots. They're in the same league as Dion with this one about Dee Dee's addictive behavior, and the street corner at which he could get it sreviced.
The Ramones also offer lots of advice on the priorities of life, long before Deepak Chopra and Anthony Robbins:
"I *Don't* Wanna Go Down to the Basement," "I *Don't* Care" and "I *Don't* Wanna Walk Around with You," BUT....
"Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue"!!!! Thank God the PMRC wouldn't be around for another 12 years. That song was an anthem for many of us whose interest in model airplanes expanded into getting high on Testor's airplane glue when we hit 12 or 13.
"Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World": Some credit this song as the beginning of Nazi punk rock, but I think they're missing the shtick between the lines:
I'm a shock trooper in a stupor
Yes I am.
I'm a Nazi Schatze
Y'know I fight for Fatherland
Besides, I really doubt Joey (who sung it) was a Nazi; Joey's real name was Jeffrey Hyman -- Jawohl, he was a Jew.
Joey, Dee Dee and Johnny: May God bless your souls. Tommy: May you live long and prosper.
Free Music Review: RAMONES
Hit: 5 Stars
The Ramones were to Punk what Birds is to instant custard. Quite a high Accolade eh? With the passing away of Joey Ramone a few months ago came the end of the 25 year Ramones story. But while there is tones I could write about the ramones and the influence of them it is of no consiquence to this Opinion - an opinion on the 2 CD Anthology that came out last year.
THE GENERAL INFO
The Anthology has 32 songs on CD1 and 25 on CD 2. If you like rock/pop /newwave /rock n roll or punk you will like this.
It covers the full Recording history of the Ramones, all the top hits and memorable tracks.
What is good is how the Sleave notes give us the album and session info for each track - for example :-
'Cretin Hop' from Rocket to Russia, Produced by Tony Bongiovi & T. Erdelyi with the Enginneer Ed Stasium.
We also have a nice touch in the addition of miniatures of the Album covers within the CD Case too - so we can see what the cover to 'Pleasant Dreams' or 'Mondo Bizarro' looked like.
There are some nice photos within the booklet for those who are interested in seeing the visual might of the scrawny denim dervishes (You weirdo's).
THE MUSIC
Of the two CD's Number one is the 100% Hit, whilst to me CD two is not as good by a long shot. If the Anthology was only CD 1 it would still be more than worth it.
When you listen to this album you cant help but see echoes in the work by more recent bands. Here is an example - Listen to 'Pinhead' song 14. Now listen to er.. either 'We're not supposed' to or 'strange ones' (Long time no hear!) from Supergrass'es 'I Should Coco'. THe fade out from Pin head seems to be used as insperation.
Its Sheer Bliss. Of the first CD I would say only 4 tracks are not Classics. On the second Cd however I find it easy to be picky - 'Ther KKK took my baby away', 'We want the airwaves' and 'somebody put something in my drink' are my prefered tracks I feel the rest is a bit, well 80's US rock really. But You may like them as well.
TO CONCLUDE
Buy it, you will like it. Or get it from your local Libarary...
Blitzkreig Bop, I wanna be your Boyfriend, 53rd and 3rd, Now I wanna Sniff Some Glue, Gimmie Gimmie shock treatment, I remember you, California Sun, Swallow my Pride, Pinhead, Here today, gone tomorrow, Surfin Bird, I Dont care, I wanna be sedated, Needles and pins, I want you around and Baby I love you, are as small a top track selection I can make.
How can you not like this if you have ears? Even if you dont have ears you want it for the song titles.
There is not a single mumbling psuedo-angst diatribe in the whole Anthology.
IT'S BLISS.