This review is part of a series looking back at significant albums on their anniversaries. Through the benefit of hindsight we will be viewing the album not just as it was released, but how it stands the test of time, as well as its place in the band’s discography and the genre in general.
Sire Records – January 10, 1977
The Ramones second studio album full of cult classics!
I feel a little silly writing a review of a Ramones album. I mean, what else can I add that hasn’t already been said? I was two years old when this album came out. I don’t think I was a fan yet, or even knew what music was. But I also wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to talk about one of my favorite bands of all time.
This album was the second studio release from the band and is home to some of their great classics. Tunes like the fast tempo rally cry songs “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment” and “Suzy is a Headbanger” that you can’t help but chant out loud to. “Pinhead” that featured the now famous catchphrase “Gabba Gabba Hey!” Love songs like “Oh, Oh, I Love Her So” with some of my favorite lyrics “I met her at the Burger King, We fell in love by the soda machine”. Definitely not deep lyrics as the band kept it simple, raw, and pure. There is also some hilarious lyrics in songs like “Commando” telling you the fourth rule is to eat kosher salamis.
The record is comprised of fourteen songs and the fast tempo, distorted guitar sounds fly by in less than 30 minutes.
The only song not written by the band on the album is the cover song of The Rivieras surf classic “California Sun”. This song gets the Ramones treatment and it became a regular on their live set list for many years to come and for good reason.
Originally “Carbona Not Glue” was pulled from the album due to Carbona being a registered trademark and the label was threatened with legal action from the Carbona Cleanser Company. In the US the song was replaced with “Sheena is a Punk Rocker” and in the UK with “Babysitter”. “Sheena is a Punk Rocker” would then be included on the band’s next album Rocket to Russia (my favorite Ramones album).
This is a simple, pure, classic punk rock album that should be in everyone’s playlist. This is not my favorite Ramones album, but there is no need for a skip song button when I listen to it.
Likes fine beer and cheap cheese. He has been a DJ, sound mixer for commercials and television, and currently designs motorcycle parts. He also has a habit of creating pastiche style cover songs and changing the chorus to incorporate “Jeff” or “Sorley.” (sigh… it’s true – Jeff)
https://www.instagram.com/rizchex_tgefm
