Album Review: Ramones - Ramones (1976)

In terms of influential rock bands, the Ramones are often underappreciated. In terms of influence and their musical and lyrical content, they can easily be considered the Beatles of the late 70s, albeit a rougher, heavier, and uglier incarnation. Beyond the punk bands that followed in their footsteps, they ended up influencing everyone from metal bands like Motörhead and Metallica to 90s alternative bands like Pearl Jam and Green Day. All four original members, guitarist John Cummings (Johnny), bassist Douglas Colvin (Dee Dee), vocalist Jeffrey Hyman (Joey), and drummer Thomas Erdelyi (Tommy), were all middle-class kids who hailed from Forest Hills High School in the New York City borough of Queens, and in 1974 they formed a band that quickly brought a raw and appealing street cred to the emerging New York underground rock scene. At the time that scene was somewhat split between fans of sensitive art rockers like Lou Reed, and fans of macho proto-glam bands like KISS, but the Ramones would end up quickly attracting crowds of both, as they unknowingly began to alter the course of not just punk rock, but of all rock music, forever. Their debut album, released on April 23rd, 1976, celebrates its 40th anniversary in a little over a month, and when combined with the consideration that the Ramones were easily my favorite band for roughly the first half of my life, it seemed fitting that this album should be the next to be reviewed on this blog.

So... Hey ho, let’s go!

1. Blitzkrieg Bop

Most, if not all bands have “that one song” that is the one most often used to reference that band to the music world as a whole, and subsequently is also usually (and just as often, unfortunately) the most overplayed track from that band’s discography on the radio, television, or elsewhere. “Blitzkrieg Bop” is that song for the Ramones. However, unlike other legendary bands’ “one song”, such as “Smells Like Teen Spirit” or “We Will Rock You”, Blitzkrieg Bop has the distinction of being the very first track on its band’s very first album. If that isn’t a clear enough testament to how profoundly the Ramones influenced popular music right out of the gate, I don’t know what is.

2. Beat on the Brat

This song I also consider overplayed, but that’s my own damn fault as it was my favorite Ramones song growing up, matched only by “Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio?” from later album End of the Century. It’s catchy as hell, and has a simple but satisfying guitar riff structure all the way through.

3. Judy Is a Punk

This is the shortest song on the album (not a dramatically noteworthy achievement for this album), but it’s one of the better ones, the lyrics and vibe perfectly encapsulating the Ramones' status as the “misfit Beatles”.

4. I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend

This song may not seem all that inspired, but it will get stuck in your head, betraying the band’s underrated pop sensibilities.

5. Chain Saw

Inspired by the 1974 horror film The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the final word pronounced mass-ah-CREE in the song), this song represents the Ramones’ very first foray into horror-influenced lyrics, which would ultimately come full circle with the Brain Drain song “Pet Sematary”, recorded for the 1989 film adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name.

6. Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue

The Ramones, always the mascot band for high school misfits, lament the utter boredom of most classrooms and promote the utilitarian repurposing of school supplies as mind-altering substances. I’ll take this opportunity to remind you for a moment that I was listening to this stuff before I was even in kindergarten... interpret that as you will.

7. I Don't Wanna Go Down to the Basement

The Ramones had the uncanny ability to make great and fun songs out of the stupidest childhood problems. To all emo bands, take some notes.

8. Loudmouth

The Ramones also seemed to have a lot of problems with people they knew, and could back up their repetitive and unpolished warnings with some great self-composed music. To all hardcore rappers, take some notes.

9. Havana Affair

Notably The Ramones' first stab at sociopolitical commentary in a discography full of that kind of thing, this song concerns a Cuban banana farmer (that particular profession clearly being chosen for the song because “banana” rhymes with “Havana”), who becomes a guide for the CIA. Catchy and to the point, though later songs would demonstrate a more refined approach and more emotional focus towards the lyrics.

10. Listen to My Heart

The Ramones seem to have at least one song about some crummy relationship on each album, though usually it’s more. Most are forgettable, with few exceptions, and unfortunately this one falls into the former category.

11. 53rd & 3rd

Bassist Dee Dee Ramone’s lyrical contributions are present throughout the Ramones’ discography. This song of his is reportedly one of the most autobiographical, concerning Dee Dee’s short stint as a hustler in a Manhattan neighborhood that was notorious at the time for it’s gay nightlife scene. It’s also noteworthy for featuring a rare occurrence of Dee Dee providing vocals during the bridge. This is one of the best songs from the album, and one of the most underrated from the band’s overall discography.

12. Let's Dance

An energetic cover of a song from 60s rock and roll musician Chris Montez, this song is just one among several great demonstrations of how throughout their entire career, the Ramones were able to amalgamate older school surf rock and pop rock music into their own heavier and more frenzied punk rock style.

13. I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You

Another song about some friend/girlfriend someone in the band had a problem with, it’s really only noteworthy for being the first song recorded for the band’s original demo tape.

14. Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World

This song, written from the extrapersonal perspective of a German child in the Hitler Youth, closes the album strong as it establishes a strong precedent for the band’s relaxed and matter-of-fact lyrical approach towards controversial themes and subject matter, which would continue for decades to come.

Though it has some mildly forgettable tracks sprinkled in amongst the jewels, the Ramones' self-titled debut album is thoroughly enjoyable to listen to. Its energetic and catchy songs are frequently repetitive, but none are particularly boring as they all go by very quickly, the longest clocking in at only 2 minutes and 40 seconds. This album, as well as the band, left a huge Queens-sized mark on the map of rock and roll history, as well as on the map of my personal journey of musical discovery. Though later albums were arguably better, this is the one that truly kickstarted the American punk rock scene, and influenced bands across all genres and nations for decades to come.

Top Three Tracks:

1. Blitzkrieg Bop

2. 53rd & 3rd

3. Beat on the Brat / Judy Is a Punk (tie)