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Ramones

Ramones

1976

Buy At Rough Trade
Ramones
Album Summary

Ramones is the debut studio album by American punk rock band The Ramones, released on April 23, 1976, by Sire Records. After Hit Parader editor Lisa Robinson saw the band at a gig in New York City, she wrote about them in an article and contacted Danny Fields, insisting that he be their manager. Fields agreed and convinced Craig Leon to produce Ramones, and the band recorded a demo for prospective record labels. Leon persuaded Sire president Seymour Stein to listen to the band perform, and he later offered the band a recording contract. The Ramones began recording in January 1976, needing only seven days and $6,400 to record the album. The album cover, photographed by Punk magazine's Roberta Bayley, features the four members leaning against a brick wall in New York City. The record company paid only $125 for the front photo, which has since become one of the most imitated album covers of all time. The back cover depicts an eagle belt buckle along with the album's liner notes. After its release, Ramones was promoted with two singles, which failed to chart. The Ramones also began touring to help sell records; these tour dates were mostly based in the United States, though two were booked in Britain. Violence, drug use, relationship issues, humor, and Nazism were prominent in the album's lyrics. The album opens with "Blitzkrieg Bop", which is among the band's most recognized songs. Most of the album's tracks are uptempo, with many songs measuring at well over 160 beats per minute. The songs are also rather short; at two-and-a-half minutes, "I Don't Wanna Go Down to the Basement" is the album's longest track. Ramones contains a cover of the Chris Montez song "Let's Dance". Ramones was unsuccessful commercially, peaking at number 111 on the US Billboard 200, though it received glowing reviews from critics. Many later deemed it a highly influential record, and it has since received many accolades, such as the top spot on Spin magazine's list of the "50 Most Essential Punk Records". Ramones is considered an influential punk album in the US and UK, and had a significant impact on other genres of rock music, such as grunge and heavy metal. The album was ranked at number 33 in Rolling Stone's 2003 list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, maintaining the ranking in a 2012 revision and dropping to number 47 in the 2020 reboot of the list. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2014.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.58

Votes

15792

Genres

  • Punk

Reviews

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Sep 20 2022
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5

There's a fine line between genius and stupid. The Ramones sit happily on that line, huffing the marker used to create it.

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Oct 11 2021
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5

The greatest punk album by the greatest punk band. Ever. Full stop. Each track overflows with the sheer, joyful, nihilistic abandon that makes punk so great. Haters gonna hate ... but they're wrong. This is peak punk perfection. Full stop.

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Jan 19 2021
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5

This album flies by. Most songs are less then 2 minutes long, nothing overs stays it's welcomes. It just punches you in the ears for 30 minutes and then stops. Perfection Blitzkrieg Bop is one of the greatest songs ever.

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Jan 14 2021
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3

"Ay, oh, let's go!" A great way to start this 1001 album journey. I like the Ramones; their music has a charming simplicity that I'm sure encouraged countless people to pick up their instruments and play. Everything sounds very DIY--basic drum patterns, power chords, nothing fancy. That's the purest nature of punk rock. As an album, this didn't exactly hold my attention, as it starts to blend together very quickly, but its value is very apparent to me. For a debut album, this does a perfect job establishing a signature sound. Favorite tracks: Blitzkrieg Bop, Beat on the Brat, Let's Dance Album art: Pretty badass band photo. The cover looks surprisingly modern. I could see a band doing an album cover like this in the last decade. Also I have to point out that the Ramone on the far right looks exactly like Coconuthead from Ned's Declassified.

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Aug 24 2021
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2

I mean, it's all the same song. It honestly is. It's fine enough but you'd be hard-pressed to find a lot of differences.

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Mar 04 2023
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5

I do declare! The compositions on this phonograph from this band of young miscreants all sound exceedingly similar! Can you imagine the nerve?!? How audacious! Quick, someone fetch me my fainting couch! I do believe I am having the vapors…Oh, my!

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May 29 2021
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5

Gabba gabba hey! The perfect Friday record. Poppy, upbeat, positive and catchy as hell. Try not having a giant smile on your face while listening.

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Jul 22 2021
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5

Just one of the best rock records ever. That's all.

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Apr 06 2021
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1

That was 14 of exactly the same song for me. If there wasn’t a gap between each song I would have that the album was 1 x 29min 16sec song. 1/5

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Aug 04 2022
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5

I mean, to me, this is another prime example of how punk shines best. It is tight and catchy, but still has rough edges and a lack of polish that really digs in to you.

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Nov 15 2023
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1

It is no coincidence that punk can be defined as "worthless" and "trick" because I feel like I am being duped by anyone who praises this album. Obnoxious singing, tedious rhythms, and nothing of value.

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Jan 13 2021
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3

One of the most classic songs starts out this album that is more than twice as long as David Bowie’s album the same year. By length I do mean tracks because time wise it is ten minutes shorter. I think back to when Freddie Mercury told the executives when pitching Bohemian Rhapsody: “I pity your wife if you think six minutes is long”. Maybe David Bowie taught Freddie, I’m not sure. But the Ramones certainly are of the philosophy “get in and get out”. As much as I am a fan of shorter songs, can a song that is ninety seconds long be considered a song? It is pretty wild to see how far punk rock has come from the Ramones. Loved the cool use of a chainsaw on the song Chain Saw but then the beat goes right back to their last four songs. At least each song ends before I even have a chance to skip it due to their length. Again, these are great songs to have on in the background of a party or a punk rock type gathering but I wouldn’t listen to it otherwise. Now they want to sniff some glue. I did do a quick play through of three or more songs and they all started with the exact same drums and guitar riffs. I could sing Blitzkrieg Bop during each of these songs and my tempo wouldn’t be off at all. Ok I even tried another two songs and it was the same. I’m laughing as I write this because Listen to My Heart starts out different but quickly goes right back to the beat. They became famous from this so who am I to tell them what success looks like.

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Jul 12 2021
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5

Stone cold classic. Messy, scrappy and as punk as you like. Fun from start to finish

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Jan 19 2021
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5

hey ho! Let's go! hey ho! Let's go!

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May 18 2021
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5

It’s hard to not like this band. Great melodies. Easily one of the most influential bands of all time. Idk how much I’d ever listen to them, but they’re undeniable.

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Oct 09 2023
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3

first three (EDIT: four) songs are great and set the template for EVERYTHING else, of course. one of those bands for which you appreciate the influence but don't really want to hear again

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May 24 2023
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3

This album designates the Ramone's signature sound, fundamental punk rock, nothing fancy. While I enjoyed the listen, all of the songs started meshing. I enjoyed it, but I wish there were more originality instead of doing one sound well 14 times.

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Jan 14 2021
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1

Pretty much just the intro track was enjoyable.

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Sep 27 2024
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5

I never got around to the Ramones back in my can-I-afford-another-REM-or-Talking-Heads-album days. And it looks like this came out same year as the Clash’s first album which is more compelling to me. But, they inspired some of my favorite bands, U2 and as Sleater-Kinney to name just two… so I will round up to make sure they get the credit they deserve.

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Dec 19 2023
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5

I was doing a pilates class a few year s. It' one of things I need to do as an aging man to maintain some sense of mobility. The instructor complimented me on my Ramones t-shirt. "Oh yeah", I said, "I saw them at the Hordern pavilion in 1989" "Cool", he replied. "I was born in 1994." Suddenly I felt really old. But that did nothing to diminish my love of the Ramones or my memory of being 18 years old, in the mosh pit of that 6000 capacity show. They came out and tore through about 45 songs in a blistering set before an adulating crowd. It wasn't until I saw the documentary End Of the Century years later that I realised that this was a much bigger venue and enthusiastic crowd than the Ramones typically played to in the States, where they never really got bigger than the club circuit. That docu also showed how formative the Ramones were on my taste. This is an all time classic album with some all time classic songs on it. It's fast and loud, but the songs are really catchy, funny, but also gritty and serious. This album is both informed by the past (girl group harmonies, Stooges aggression), but also sets the tone for much music to follow. You hear the influences of the Ramones all over music to this day, and their look and iconography is also everywhere. Charles Shaar-Murray went to New York in 1975 and wrote notes on the nascent punk scene for the NME. he rightly identified the Ramones as the best band on the scene, but bemoaned that they would never put out a record. He was right on the first point, but wrong on the second. They ended up being the longest lived of all the CBGBs bands, and probably the most influential, even if commercial success evaded them. I love the Ramones, and especially this first album where they perfectly reveal their whole vision. Of all the records I have listened to from the 1001 albums list, this truly is one of the few that you really must hear. 5 million stars.

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Aug 10 2021
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5

I fucking love this album. It took me a while to get into the Ramones, but every song on this album is fun. It must have been so awesome to live in New York in the late 70s, apart from the insane levels of senseless violence 5/5

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Jan 17 2021
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5

Now we’re talkin. Love the Ramones. Bring it on baby! I mean Blitzkrieg Bop is legendary.

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Apr 05 2022
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5

Perfect bopping with no fat and perfect tunes. What a blitzkrieg of an album - end to end.

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Mar 24 2022
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5

Absolutnie widzę się 40 lat temu słuchając tego albumu kilka razy dziennie, odkładającego na ramoneskę wszystkie zarobione pieniądze. Utwory co prawda za krótkie, żeby cokolwiek się w nich rozwinęło - jest mocna, szybka perkusja, są elektryki, głośne wokale i całość razem daje zaskakująco pozytywne brzmienie. I to chyba przepis na dobrą płytę, bo dziś też słucham jej już piąty raz, za każdym razem czerpiąc z tego przyjemność. Nie ma co tu kombinować, zasługują na wysoką notę jak mało kto w tym zestawieniu.

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Nov 23 2021
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5

One trick ponies sure, but what a trick it is.

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Sep 23 2021
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5

My 25th birthday music!!! From Spider-Man was awesome!!

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Sep 21 2021
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5

I wasn't excited to see this one come up, but as soon as I listened it was immediately a favorite. Energetic and naughty, humorous and provocative, it fired me up good. I love "I Don't Wanna go Down to the Basement." I love Joey Ramone's articulations.

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Jul 05 2021
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5

Pure, unbridled PUNK ROCK This is the most important album in punk easy (not the best mind you, that honour would probably go to the band's third effort Rocket To Russia or London Calling).

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Jan 13 2021
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5

Never really listened to the Ramones before but after listening to this album, I may have to start. I'm a huge fan of punk type music (Blink-182, Green Day, Fall Out Boy, *honorary mention* Lil Peep) but I've also not been a huge fan of Rock music. I know that some of the bands I've listed are also considered to be Punk Rock bands, but I see them more as Punk than Rock. But with this album, you can really call it Punk Rock, and I like it, a lot. As soon as I finished listening to it, I listened to it one more time, and then another. It's a perfect blend of Punk and Rock and you can really feel it. Real rocky instrumentals with that great mix of Punky vocals and lyrics. It makes you wanna smoke a cigarette in class and flip the bird at your bloody teacher. Blitzkrieg Bop is a classic (Shout out Jimmy Neutron) and I really like I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend, Havana Affair, and Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue. It's a very fun album to listen to and it's almost like they're just rumbling when they sing sometimes and at this point, I'm rambling but it's because I'm trying to finish this review up so I can go listen to it again and throw rocks at birds while wearing all black. Oops, almost forgot to tear some holes in my jeans, I guess I'll be going now. ……… Are you still here? BUZZ OFF ASSHOLE *Double middle fingers*!

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Jan 13 2021
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5

I love this album. It's short and fast and fun. The Ramones are great.

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May 24 2021
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5

One of the best punk albums of all time

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Sep 15 2020
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5

An absolute classic, been jamming to Blitzkrieg Bop since Pro Skater 2

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Nov 14 2024
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4

In elementary school I had learn to play guitar because of guitar hero. I could play up to 6 chords, and did I think I was cool and would get all the girls in high school. In my first year high school, there was a performance night. The music teacher scouted all 4 people in our class who could play an instrument and put them together in a band. There was this nerdy kid who could actually play the guitar, and I was demoted to bass. We’d practice some times after class, and made it actually sound like something. Fast forward to the performance night, in the auditorium, all the parents there. I was so nervous. The first band got up the stage and started playing. Blitzkrieg Bop. I knew the guys, they were 2 years above me and secretly I always thought they were so cool. Swinging guitars around, headbanging, the whole punk performance etcetera. I knew the song because it was in a Tony Hawk game, and thought it was awesome. My first introduction to punk music. However, the nerves got me. After some more acts we were due. I got the bass guitar, and managed to forget the 4 notes I had been rehearsing for weeks. We got up and I was shaking. Our guitarist started playing, unbothered. I fucked up. Didn’t know what the fuck I was doing. Right there I had a realization. I could never play guitar. I could never be in a band. I would never be as cool as the kids playing Blitzkrieg Bop, let alone be as cool as the Ramones. I was forever traumatised by stage fright. And the worst part is, we played You Belong To Me by Taylor fucking Swift, I was demoted to bass, forgot the 4 notes I was supposed to play, and the nerdy guitar kid who’d actually put in the time got all the attention after.

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Sep 27 2023
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4

The Ramones!!! I know every word (not that there are that many). Jesse Covington took me to see them at the Masquerade. I think it was their last tour, though we didn’t know it at the time. Drivin n Cryin opened. I was 15 or 16, it was summery sunny but not hot. Jesse Covington was in love with me and we could not get enough of that three-chord noise. When I think about how special it was to grow up in Atlanta, this day comes to mind. I would have told you at the time, it was one of the best days of my life.

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Mar 19 2024
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3

"brevity is the soul of wit" - B̶i̶l̶l̶y̶ ̶S̶ Ramones every album should contain 14 songs and a sub-30 minute length

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Nov 07 2023
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3

Nr. 29/1001 Blitzkrieg Bop 4/5 Beat on the Brat 3/5 Judy is a Punk 4/5 I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend 4/5 Chain Saw 3/5 Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue 3/5 I Don't Wann Go Down to the Basement 3/5 Loudmouth 2/5 Havana Affair 3/5 Listen to my Heart 3/5 53rd & 3rd 3/5 Let's Dance 3/5 I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You 3/5 Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World 3/5 Average: 3,14 A bit repetitive, but still enjoyable

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Aug 31 2023
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3

ту ту ру тутут быстренько

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Aug 14 2023
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3

I liked the song Ramones off the album Ramones by Ramones where the lead singer said ahh were the Ramones hear us Ramone

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Mar 01 2024
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1

This is way too boring to be so popular, what the hell is going on. Blitzkrieg Bop is a decent opener right up until you realize that's the only song on the album. A 29 minute runtime is a grace from God. If I was in the 80s and this was the only album I had, I think I'd not give a fuck about music.

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Dec 17 2024
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5

Frábær plata og frábært band. Þetta er svo mikið pönk. Kómískt á stundum en samt svo töff. Algjörlega soundið í lagi og algjörir töffarar í þokkabót. Cult band sem á svo sannarlega skilið sinn status í rokksögunni.

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Dec 17 2024
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5

Þvílík veisla. Ekkert gítarrúnk, bara keyrsla.

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Dec 16 2024
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5

Fuck yes! This record never looses its punch for me. This is always tied to my first experience playing music and understanding how to arrange a song. The whole album is just so fun. The energy never lets up. The simple riffs and arrangements just make it more fun and the lyrics are so singable. You feel like you are at a Ramones show.

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Dec 12 2024
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5

I'm an absolute sucker for The Ramones. They represent the epitome of punk - taking piss out of classic "low-quality" pop music while sounding practically indistinguishable from it. It may be subtle but it changes everything.

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Dec 10 2024
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5

Classic. A bit front loaded like a lot of vinyl releases but pretty great overall. Such a huge influence on punk and hard rock. Hard not to love this album and this band. I saw them on their last tour 20 years after this album came out and they still sounded great. This should be in every rock fan’s collection.

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Dec 01 2024
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5

If you’re into punk, it’s hard not to enjoy this album. The rhythm really stands out and keeps everything moving. Joey Ramone’s vocals are catchy and fit this music so well. The songs are fast-paced and energetic with a no-frills style, but they still manage to pull you in and stick in your head. Overall, I really enjoy these guys and what they bring to the table.

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Nov 30 2024
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5

Not often does the idea behind an album or a band affect how much you enjoy the music. It may change your perception/understanding, but not the quality. This is an exception. Once I realized the Ramones were a goofy and violent rewriting of rockabilly, a Buddy Holly in free fall, I could listen freely and enjoy the shit out of them.

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Nov 19 2024
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5

I almost hated this album purely from hearing 1000 bad covers of Blizkrig Bop. But that was my fault because this album is so great! Such a rowdy little adventure.

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Nov 18 2024
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5

Ey oh, let's go! These geezers never get old.

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Nov 04 2024
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5

The first album of its genre. Alot of alternative/punk wouldn't exist without this album. 2 minute bangers from start to finish, very fun album. The songs could be more technical but then it wouldn't be the Ramones.

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Nov 01 2024
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5

The Ramones were magnificent. This album is magnificent. I love it.

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Oct 31 2024
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5

lean and efficient just like my women 10/10

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Oct 30 2024
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5

El debut de Ramones es considerado como el "primer disco de punk de la historia" y con justa razón (a pesar de no serlo). La composición directa y atrapante no desvía la meta de la banda por crear canciones pop inspirados por sus héroes más grandes, como The Beatles. Coros que incluso incluidos en canciones de no más de 2 minutos, se queman en los oídos, transformando a "Ramones" en una de las experiencias auditivas más interesantes del siglo XX. Esencial. Si no lo has escuchado, y estas leyendo esto, hazlo ahora mismo.

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Oct 29 2024
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5

Favourite tracks: blitzkrieg bop; beat on the beat; I wanna be your boyfriend

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Oct 20 2024
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5

This is one of the most influential punk albums. Simple yet fun

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Oct 18 2024
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5

One of the most important albums of all time. They pack more into a half hour then most bands could do with double the time.

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Oct 14 2024
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5

Groundbreaking and catchy. If you have never heard The Ramones, you're a sheltered individual, but also just play early Beatles songs at 2x speed.

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Oct 04 2024
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5

Love the Ramones. Love this album. The sound and look that launched a million pop punk bands. 5/5

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Oct 01 2024
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5

I can't possibly add anything that hasn't already been said about this. Classic.

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Oct 01 2024
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5

Classic record. Untouchable in every way.

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Sep 28 2024
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5

I loved this album. The Ramones are, by far, the best non-British punk band.

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Sep 27 2024
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5

A classic album that spawned a whole genre. Songs are all very similar in structure but they're so short and high energy that it works. Would have been incredible to hear them live. Some real bangers on here but I'm not going to put the while album on regular rotation.

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Sep 20 2024
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5

When you’ve done 600+ albums, you really come to appreciate a 29 minute album. To be 29 minutes while also basically inventing a genre and making catchy music, that’s really something.

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Sep 19 2024
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5

After struggling through the never ending nightmare of Nightmare in Wax this is the perfect antidote. Short, punchy, and just plain fun

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Sep 17 2024
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5

I know this is kinda sacrilegious to say as a punk fan but I had never actually listened to the Ramones before now. Now that I have I can safely say this album is bulletproof punk in my humble opinion. Each song is like 3 or 4 power chords, it's fast, it's kinda rough, ain't too polished sounding. It honestly sounds like just 4 guys playing in someone's basement and I love it. It makes it so much more personable and enjoyable. The lyrics are fun, kinda stupid, but also kinda genius in parts which is the line that, when punk walks it well, is at its best. I mean they have a song about sniffing glue that made me laugh when I saw it. Just a great album from top to bottom from some of the legit OG's of punk.

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Sep 16 2024
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5

Doesn't get any better than this!

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Sep 10 2024
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5

seminal album in the punk genre. this album is about 3/4 “punk” and about 1/4 “pop” style sing along melodies. and as many great punk bands do, they keep the songs short and sweet… only one song clocks in over two and a half minutes. there’s just enough of a pop sensibility to make it accessible to the masses; it was certainly my, as well as many others’, gateway into punk. it stands as one of the most important punk albums of all time. highlights: “blitzkrieg bop” “beat on the beat” “now i wanna sniff some glue” “havana affair”

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Sep 10 2024
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5

In addition to the pretty awesome gimmicks this album lays down a sound that shows up throughout the 90s in the formative albums of my youth, nirvana to weezer to green day to mounds of the lesser stuff too. Love the silly singing, the catchy bops and melodies (later punks could take a lesson or two), ridiculous lyrics, and holy shit, open an album with the blitzkrieg bop, and the rest just happens I assume.

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Sep 08 2024
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5

The Americans can't do punk. The exception being The Ramones (and I will also include Iggy Pop). This album although only 29 mins long exudes energy and fun and is absolutely brilliant. Worthy of all 5 stars

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Sep 07 2024
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5

The perfect punk record. Catalyst for so much that followed it. Spearhead of the NY, CBGB punk scene.

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Sep 05 2024
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5

This is legitimately one of the greatest and most important albums ever made. I don't trust anyone who listens to punk/hardcore/metal and does not listen to the Ramones. It indicates a lack of joy/whimsy.

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Sep 04 2024
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5

A quick half hour album of solid punk hits, one right after the other.

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