Post by mightyjack on Apr 1, 2007 12:25:58 GMT -5
In the cult classic, "Rock and Roll High School", actor Dick Miller called them (in character) some... "ugly, ugly people", and all us Ramone fans roared with delight. We loved our misfits, as it is for MSTies, there was a sense that this was "our" band and the rest of the world didn't get it.
For me, the good times didn't last long, after a string of 4 solid LPs, the bands output was unsteady at best, before finding the magic once more with, "Too Tough To Die".
Just for the hell of it, here's my top 5 Ramone albums and why...
Notes: I'm a studio guy, which might seem funny to consider with a punk band, but it's like a small pebble in your shoe. It might look trivial but is a major irritant.
Also, kudos to Rhino. They might have stumbled with some MST releases but their Ramones catalog -remastered and chock full O' extras- are amazing.
#5 Ramones
Very, very rough around the edges. Probably was recorded on a budget of a dollar. The mix sucks, there's hardly any decent equalization (The vocal mix is terrible, the bass is too hot, Johnny's scorching guitars are muted) - It probably would have worked better if they'd simply recorded it live.
Not everything clicks for me, though most punks love it (many rank it as the best). Aside from the bothersome production values, there are songs I don't like and flat out skip (Loudmouth, Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue -though I liked the demo version of that one )
Still, when Blitzkrieg Bop popped into my ears for the first time, I knew this was a band to watch. Other highlights... "Judy is a Punk", "Today your Love, Tomorrow the World", "Havana Affair", and the bonus demo, "I Can't Be"
#4 Too Tough To Die
After years of over produced LPs that sterilized the Ramones sound. They came back, for one last great hurrah. I'd just about given up on the band when friends insisted I give this a spin; that an old schooler like me would be happy as hell. They were right; TTTD hearkens back to the bands glory days. It rocks, is catchy and Dee Dee gets to sing a few kick ass numbers to add some variety.
They never again recorded a collection as complete as this. But it was great to get back to that sound and style that made me a fan.
#3 Leave Home
A pop rock juggernaut. Leave Home gives me more of what I like. You see I'm a sap for stuff like Tommy Roe's "Dizzy", "My Sharona" by the Knack or even "I Think I Love You" by the Partridge Family. I love a hook and Leave Home offers one grinding, butt crunching hook after another. "Glad to See You Go", Commando," "Pinhead" and "Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment" were instant classics. But my favorite was "Swallow My Pride" - what a great power Popper, with superb vocals that add to the joy.
Though a better constructed LP than their first, the original suffered from a muddy production that left these great tunes sounding bass heavy and muted. Also, a lawsuit eliminated the song "Carbona Not Glue" (The Carbona company objected to the use of their name) - The Rhino re master though, eliminates that muddy sound and each song sparkles like new. In addition to that, Carbona is back!
Bonus: 16 bonus tracks which show off the entire Hollywood live debut from August 1976.
#2 Road To Ruin
Oh how the punks bitched and moaned over this when it first came out (thankfully, it's now embraced as the classic it is). First, Johnny whined a lot about the use of acoustics and the lead solos. But then again, Johnny -God bless him- was a bit of a dickweed and whined about everything. The solos added spice and never overwhelmed the sound and the acoustics showed a growth and maturity in the group.
Second, a new drummer. This complaint quickly passed because seriously, Tommy wasn't that good of a drummer and was more interested in production than touring behind the kit. Marky was not only a kick ass drummer, but he looked the part too. Heck with Marky the guys almost looked like brothers. The new Ramone quickly became a fan favorite.
Road to Ruin is the bands best production. If I'd produced a Ramones LP I would have wanted it to sound like this. It's slick, tight, but not over produced. It maintains their edge but also features some beautiful melodies (Questioningly). It has my favorite Ramones song (I Wanna Be Sedated) and the Rhino version makes it even better.
Extras include the song "I Want You Around" (from the movie) and the Ed Stasium version of "Rock 'N' Roll High School". It also has the live set from the film and two previously unreleased tracks... "Come Back, She Cried" and "Yea, Yea"
I adore this CD with a passion and only one album can surpass it...
#1: Rocket To Russia
Not only the best Ramones album, but one of the best albums in the history of rock and roll. It combines the raw punk garage style of the first LP, with the catchy pop production found on their 2nd effort. The mix is quintessential Ramones.
"Sheena Is a Punk Rocker." "We're a Happy Family", "Teenage Lobotomy"... each song is spot on. The album art is one of best of all time... hell, there's nothing more to say. Listen and enjoy!