Alright well, thought I might do something for once for the site, so I decided to review Da Ramones.
Since they are the musical equivalent to Potato Chips, I've already listened to every album and feel like a whore for doing so. So let's start off at random, and by that I will pick Subterranean Jungle, from 1983. Why that album, well I just listened to it so might as well write about it.
Subterranean Jungle comes from a weird time for The Ramones, right after the godawful mess of Pleasant Dreams, the Ramones were at a miss, and really had no direction.So they got Ritchie Cordell, (who worked with and even wrote for Tommy James and the Shondells) and got back to a more hard guitar sound that was missing on their last two albums. While on the subject, I will say that the production is arguably the best thing about this album, the guitar sound is great, and feels like Johhny is cutting through my brain with his Mosrite whenever I listen with headphones on. There are also little touches to the songs that make them a tad bit more memorable than they would be without them. The drum sound, while hated by Marky*, is nice. I like the drum machine sound they got, I always liked the sound and I think it actually helps keep the relentless beat of the songs.
Also, it is worth noting that everyone in the band, except Johhny, was going through some shit during the recording of this album, since both Joey and Marky were drinking too much and Dee Dee was addicted to cocaine, among other probable drugs. So that is probably why Johhny had a large say in the production and sound of the album. But, let's cut the shit and talk about some Ramones.
1. Little Bit O' Soul
Well fuck me does the album start off wrong. I don't know, it's not bad, that's for sure, but the album just starts with a nice drum and bass combination, but really I do not think that starting with a cover was a good idea. That saying, I hold the same opinion for the next track, I Need Your Love, so I will not repeat myself.
3. Outsider
Alright now things are getting started, a nice little song with a nice bridge sung by Dee Dee. Simple G and A chords with a chord change at the bridge, but they make it work, but it's the Ramones, they always make simple songs work. None the less, this song was always a favorite of mine.
4.What'd Ya Do?
This was what I was talking about, with the whole drum machine thing, since they really push in a fuck load of 16th notes in certain parts, and the whole song is filled with a bit of anger, and betrayal.The guitar work is nice here, with the solos, that were probably not played by Johhny.
5.Highest Trails Above
So as someone who has had a serious problem with amphetamines in the past, I will say that this song encapsulates the dreamy immature haze that stimulants cast over one's brain. I don't know how to put it, or why I connected the song with this, but apparently Dee Dee liked the song, or someone did, because the lyrics to this song are on his gravestone. So kids, don't go past the edge of Disney Land.
6. Somebody Like Me
Well fuck me, I hear Blitzkrieg Bop in the opening, and that is not a good sign. The Ramones were usually good about avoiding direct self plagiarism, their songs may all sound the same but rarely do they directly copy the same song.
7. Pyscho Therapy
This is one of the songs that really got me into the Ramones, with it's break neck speed and insane music video, this song gets inside your head and never leaves. While the subject matter is a retread of mental illness, I am perfectly fine with it. You got a problem, don't listen to all of the Ramones albums then.
8.Time Has Come Today
Well, the guitar sound is nice, but this song is not the sweet jam that the Chamber Brothers wrote up. Though I would be remiss if I did not say that this song introduced me to the original version, so at least it did that. Also Marky did not play on this track, since he was kicked out of the band before they did this song so they got session musician Billy Rogers to do it, and did a nice job, so good for Billy Rogers.
9. My-My Kind Of Girl
The standard ballad for the Ramones, and usually I love their ballads, but this one is really forgettable, but it does have a nice acoustic demo, which is available on the CD re-issue of this album.
10. In The Park
I dig this song, it works well and brings up a swell of a chorus, and I think Dee Dee wrote this one about his own childhood, I've heard him in interviews talk about drinking bum wine and doing dime bags of heroin in the park around the time of Woodstock, which sounds like a dandy childhood.
11. Time Bomb
Well, Dee Dee sings this one, and hey, it even has a swell little oriental (Christ that sounds racist) sounding riff, It also melts at the end which is a nice little touch.
12. Everytime I Eat Vegetables It Makes Me Think Of You
A nice track to end the album on, and I love the odd title. I can relate to soviets taking away my girlfriend, the slut. But I do have to say I love the chorus, I am a sucker for F# to G sound, it just gets me hooked.
So over all, not the best Ramones album, despite my kind review. The Ramones played about half of these tracks live, and they played the ones I really like, so at least there is that. This is not one you need to listen to, that's for sure, but if you are a Ramones fan, I think you will dig it.
I guess I will give the album like, 5/7?
* I am getting this from the Wikipedia page for the album, I know legit right? I have heard Marky in interviews talk about hating the album, since I binge on that kind of shit. I know I have a problem.
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