Reviews (page 3 of 14)
2 minute songs about stupid stuff? Yes, please!
1 2 3 4... Punk American punk rock at its best!
Few albums have a near perfect run front to back like this does. Even rarer is this albums place in history as the first true punk album (according to some). It's rare not because it's the first, but because of how hard it comes out swinging. I don't believe any band has ever refined or perfected Ramones, they've only attempted to reach these heights. Blitzkrieg Bop is honestly a top contender for best opening track and best song to mosh to, I can just see punks burning the place to the ground smiling.
When people think punk, they might immediately picture The Sex Pistols, like subverted fashionistas who are furious at world. But a year before the Pistols released their album, The Ramones were presented a purer form of punk. They weren't angry, they just didn't care about anything serious. Their songs all exclaim what they want and don't want, with little desire to live a meaningful life. Their fashion is as stripped down as their music, donning jeans, leather jackets and long shaggy hair. Their four-chord music was all they had but it was incredibly refreshing during a time of increasingly complex and technical rock stars. The album is repetitive, sure. You could generously call it variations of a theme. But let's be honest, they were kind of a one trick pony. Despite that, the appeal of this album endures. The energy is infectious and it's hard not to smile or dance. And The Ramones manage to do a lot with very little. This the album that every young suburban punk band playing out of their parents' basements wishes they could make. But what so many miss is the heavy influence from often sickly sweet 50s Doo Wop and girl band groups that made The Ramones so endearing. It's like they took one of those huge rainbow lollipops, sucked off all of the color and threw it on the ground. You know it's still kind of sweet, but it's covered in dirt and grim now. Mind you, they don't do this out of spite, but out of reverence. They're paying tribute to the oldies without having any idea of how to actually make their music. They just do it anyway and have fun doing it. And if that's not punk, then what is?
## In-Depth Review of *Ramones* by Ramones The Ramones’ self-titled debut album, released in April 1976, is widely recognized as a seismic event in rock history. Its stripped-down sound, relentless pace, and raw energy not only defined punk rock but also influenced generations of musicians across genres. This review examines the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and enduring influence, while weighing its strengths and weaknesses. --- ## **Lyrics** The lyrics on *Ramones* are famously minimalistic, direct, and often tongue-in-cheek. The band’s songwriting approach was to distill rock ‘n’ roll to its barest essentials, both musically and lyrically. Most songs are built around a few repeated lines, often reflecting adolescent boredom, rebellion, or absurdity. - **Simplicity and Humor:** Tracks like “Blitzkrieg Bop” (“Hey! Ho! Let’s go!”) and “Judy Is a Punk” exemplify the band’s knack for catchy, chant-like refrains. The lyrics are intentionally simple, sometimes even silly, but always memorable[3][4]. - **Dark and Subversive Themes:** Despite their playful delivery, the Ramones did not shy away from darker subject matter. “53rd & 3rd” deals with male prostitution and violence, while “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue” references adolescent drug use and ennui. “Chain Saw” draws inspiration from horror films, and “I Don’t Wanna Go Down to the Basement” plays on childhood fears[7][8]. - **Pop Culture References:** The lyrics are peppered with nods to comic strips, B-movies, and 1960s pop culture, giving the album a distinctly American, streetwise flavor[8]. **Pros:** - Lyrics are instantly memorable and easy to sing along with. - Blend of humor and darkness gives the album a unique voice. - Directness and repetition contribute to the album’s immediacy. **Cons:** - Some listeners may find the lyrics too simplistic or repetitive[2][6]. - Occasional use of controversial or misunderstood themes (e.g., Nazi imagery in “Blitzkrieg Bop”) can be off-putting or misinterpreted[3]. --- ## **Music** Musically, *Ramones* is a masterclass in economy and speed. The album’s 14 tracks clock in at just under 30 minutes, with most songs lasting around two minutes. - **Instrumentation:** The band’s sound is built on three-chord guitar riffs, pounding drums, and melodic basslines. Johnny Ramone’s guitar is fast and aggressive, with little ornamentation. Tommy Ramone’s drumming is relentless and propulsive, while Dee Dee’s bass provides a melodic counterpoint[3][7]. - **Melody and Harmony:** Despite their reputation for noise and speed, the Ramones were deeply influenced by 1960s pop and girl groups. Songs like “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” feature melodic hooks and even harmonies, albeit delivered with punk attitude[5][7]. - **Pace and Structure:** The album maintains a breakneck pace, with little variation in tempo or dynamics. Songs are tightly structured, rarely deviating from verse-chorus forms. This uniformity is both a strength and a limitation. **Pros:** - Infectious energy and immediacy; every song feels urgent[3][4]. - Memorable riffs and melodies beneath the raw exterior. - The band’s tightness and discipline stand out, especially given the album’s speed. **Cons:** - Lack of musical variety; songs can blur together for some listeners[2][6]. - The relentless tempo and minimalism may fatigue those not attuned to punk aesthetics. --- ## **Production** Produced by Craig Leon on a shoestring budget of $6,400, *Ramones* is a triumph of lo-fi clarity and focus. - **Sound Quality:** The production is intentionally raw, emphasizing the band’s live energy and immediacy. Guitars are loud and upfront, drums are crisp, and vocals are unadorned[3][7]. - **Minimal Overdubs:** The album was recorded quickly-just seven days-resulting in a sound that is unpolished but powerful. Overdubs are minimal, with only occasional backing vocals or sound effects (e.g., the chainsaw in “Chain Saw”)[7]. - **Mixing:** The mix is clean, allowing each instrument to be heard clearly despite the overall sonic assault. The “wall of sound” approach is reminiscent of Phil Spector, but filtered through a punk lens. **Pros:** - Captures the band’s raw energy and live feel. - No-nonsense approach suits the material perfectly. - The clarity of the mix allows the band’s interplay to shine. **Cons:** - Some may find the sound too raw or dated by modern standards[2]. - The lack of studio polish may be a turnoff for listeners used to more produced rock albums. --- ## **Themes** *Ramones* is often described as nihilistic, but its themes are more nuanced. The album oscillates between adolescent rebellion, absurdist humor, and dark social commentary. - **Adolescence and Alienation:** Many songs express the frustrations and desires of youth-boredom, lust, and the urge to escape (“I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend,” “I Don’t Wanna Walk Around with You”)[3][7]. - **Violence and Subversion:** The band uses shocking imagery and taboo subjects not to glorify them, but to satirize and subvert rock and roll’s conventions (“Beat on the Brat,” “53rd & 3rd”)[7][8]. - **Pop Culture and Satire:** The Ramones’ fascination with pop culture, from comic books to horror movies, permeates the album, giving it a playful, irreverent edge[8]. **Pros:** - Themes are relatable and timeless, tapping into universal adolescent experiences. - The blend of humor and darkness creates a distinctive mood. - Satirical edge keeps the album from becoming self-serious. **Cons:** - Some themes may be misinterpreted or seen as offensive out of context. - The simplicity of the themes may leave some listeners craving more depth. --- ## **Influence** Few albums have had as profound an impact as *Ramones*. While it was not a commercial success upon release, its influence quickly spread through the underground and eventually mainstream music. - **Punk Rock Blueprint:** The album’s stripped-down sound, speed, and attitude became the template for punk rock worldwide. Bands like The Clash, Sex Pistols, and Dead Kennedys drew direct inspiration from *Ramones*[3][8]. - **Alternative and Beyond:** The influence of *Ramones* extends far beyond punk. Nirvana, Metallica, Green Day, Sonic Youth, and countless others have cited the album as foundational to their own music[8]. - **Cultural Impact:** The album’s aesthetic-leather jackets, ripped jeans, and no-frills attitude-became synonymous with punk itself. Its songs have been covered, referenced, and celebrated in countless contexts. **Pros:** - Set the stage for entire genres of music, from punk to alternative rock. - Inspired a DIY ethos that democratized music-making. - Continues to resonate with new generations. **Cons:** - The album’s very ubiquity can make it feel overfamiliar or “safe” compared to its initial shock value. - Later punk and alternative bands sometimes imitated the style without capturing the Ramones’ wit or originality. --- ## **Pros and Cons Summary** | Pros | Cons | |----------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | Unmatched energy and immediacy | Songs can sound repetitive or similar to each other | | Iconic, memorable songwriting | Lyrics may be too simplistic for some tastes | | Raw, powerful production captures the band’s essence | Production may sound dated or too raw for modern listeners | | Themes blend humor, darkness, and pop culture | Some themes/imagery can be misinterpreted or feel offensive | | Blueprint for punk and alternative music | Lack of musical and thematic variety | | Enduring influence; still sounds fresh and vital | Initial commercial failure; not for everyone | --- ## **Conclusion** *Ramones* is not just an album-it’s a manifesto. In 29 minutes, the band redefined what rock music could be: fast, funny, raw, and honest. Its lyrics, while simple, cut to the heart of adolescent experience, mixing humor and darkness in equal measure. Musically, the album’s relentless pace and minimalism are both its greatest strength and its main limitation. The production, though rough, perfectly suits the material, and the album’s themes remain as relevant today as they were in 1976. The influence of *Ramones* cannot be overstated. It split the history of rock ‘n’ roll in half, paving the way for punk, alternative, and countless other scenes[3][8]. While some may find its simplicity monotonous or its rawness off-putting, its impact and enduring appeal are undeniable. For those seeking the purest distillation of punk’s spirit, *Ramones* remains the ultimate statement.
So this is where it all began. Blitzkreig Bop still sounds great. This is raw fun. I saw two punk bands yesterday after listening to this. They didn’t have any songs. All the best music has songs, not just a sound
Seminal album that defined a generation
5-
Top 3 punk album of all time.
>>>>>>>>>>> The Beatles
Standout Songs: Blitzkrieg Bop I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend Chain Saw Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue Listen to My Heart 53rd & 3rd What a fun, upbeat album. I remember my dad had this album on cassette and I was absolutely obsessed with Blitzkrieg Bop. It was nice to finally sit down and listen to the whole thing. Loved it!
It's in the name
Helt nydelig:) Hits på hits som man ikke blir kvitt på lenge. Nynner konstant
I've heard some of the songs before, most notably "Blitzkrieg Bop" and "Beat on the Brat" (I mean, who hasn't heard them?). Haven't listened to the whole album until today. Happy that I finally got around to it. There are plenty of overlooked tracks such as "I Don't Wanna Go Down to the Basement" and "Havana Affair". Lots of energy, short, sweet. Does not overstay it's welcome at all. -Fav tracks: Blitzkrieg Bop, I Don't Wanna Go Down to the Basment -Least fav tracks: None
Stone cold classic. The sound never changed, but here's where it was freshest and most original. A band with such an iconic look, too.
Ramones. Klasa sama w sobie. Nie ma co wybrzydzać.
Was way into the Ramones in perhaps their least popular era, the last few years of their existence in the early 90s before they became dead legends / t-shirts to put on your kid to let people know you're a cool parent. Honestly, I heretically like the later more produced stuff a bit more, and even though there's like four songs in a row that sound exactly alike, this is a got-dam classic.
Short, but it felt very dense with the amount of songs that were present. There was a point where things did sound a little repetitive in the last third, but overall this was great.
They are the best
How can anyone who says they like rock n’ roll not love this album.
Hell yeah. I fully acknowledge that this album can be a bit of a slog to listen to in one sitting, as a lot of the songs sound the same, but it's great.
Catchy, great riffs, good stuff all around baybeee
High school days gone past. The fastest punk I had listened too, learned multiple songs and then slowly faded away from them. That fun punk, play as fast as we want, sing as little as we want. Speed and more speed. Such great times.
Classic punk rock perfection. This album is loaded with great songs. Simple three/four chord songs. But done with such precision. A great album.
In the late 70’s disco dominated the radio forcing disco haters like me to turn to other earlier forms of music like classic musicals and The Beatles hoping someone would come along to save us. They did, in the form of New Wave, punk and SKA. A landslide of new bands like The Clash, Elvis Costello, The Specials, and The Ramones arrived like a musical renaissance. Along with scooping up every new Ramones release, I saw them in concert in 1980 at a small Seattle venue. Hooky classics like Beat on the Brat and Blitzkrieg Bop had me jumping up and down like a pogo stick establishing the Ramones sound. While album is not perfect with more generic songs dominating the middle, this is a groundbreaking, disco crushing masterpiece. One, Two, Three, Four!
I've said it before, but a lot of the albums I've listened to so far from this list seem to be on here just because of their influence. This is not one of those cases. Ramones were the blueprint for American punk. It's easy to write them off now, but keeping in mind the time that this record was released, they were still pushing boundaries. They brought punk to the forefront of music conversations, and for that, we should be forever grateful. The production on this record is solid, the performances are great, the songs are fun. What more is there to ask for? Sure, it gets a little bit repetitive and not every track sticks. But that's not the point. 9.5/10
With lyrics like Second verse same as the first.. instant classic and landmark album.
Rock n roll dudesby's because that was amazing.
Opens with iconic songs and continues throughout. Not being a fan or follower of the Ramones, i still knew the majority of songs on this album as they are ingrained in so many different types of media.
A classic I frequently have in my rotation.
Undoubtedly culturally and historically significant album. Lots of energy, anger, and socio-political critique. Simple and effective.
Slightly overating, but whatev's First half substantially better than the second
“ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!” My 2nd most streamed album of all time and my 2nd favourite band of all time!!! I remember when I first heard this album, I felt like a lot of the songs all sounded the same. And near the end I was like “this is going on for a while, how soon until it’s done?”. But I really liked the raw guitar sound and still listened to the album more and it really grew on me. Now, all the songs are very different and it’s easy to tell which is which just from the opening guitar chords, when before it sounded quite similar The nice thing about liking this album is that the Ramone’s first four albums all have the same sound and are all S tier, so tons of good content. This is their debut album and I would consider it their best though I also gotta give major credit to Johnny Ramone as the guitar player. Their songs are mostly all exclusively barre chords, which takes a lot of strength to play for an entire concert setlist. Also the Ramones famously played their songs faster live, so playing barre chords with fast down picking the entire team isn’t easy Fun side comment: this is the album I associate with making Strava map arts, cause I first listened to it then And here’s some comments about each track: 1 - Blitzkreig Bop My favourite Ramones song. Just perfect. Also super fun to play 2 - Beat on the Beat I remember when I first heard this track when first listening through the album, I was like “huh this sounds quite similar to Blitzkreig Bop”, but now I really enjoy it and love that about the Ramones 3 - Judy is a Punk My 2nd favourite track on the album. This one is just SOOOOO fun to sing along out loud. I love the “second verse, same as the first” and “third verse, different from the first” so much. Also “And oh, I don't know why / Oh, I don't know why / Perhaps they'll die, oh yeah” is so satisfying 4 - I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend A nice slower pace song. I really like this one too 5 - Chain Saw I love the bridge of this one 6 - Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue 😼 7 - I Don’t Wanna Go Down To The Basement The song lyrics say “basement” but I swear I only ever hear “base" 8 - Loudmouth Very simple lyrics but I love it. See I don’t always need complex lyrics! 9 - Havana Affair “I used to make a livin' man pickin' the banana!!!” 10 - Listen to My Heart I love the “next time!”s 11 - 53rd & 3rd My favourite lyric to say from the album: "53RD AND 3RD!!!!!!" 12 - Let's Dance I love this one. I especially like the other "dance" Ramones song - "Do You Wanna Dance?" on Rocket To Russia 13 - I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You Simple lyrics like a lot of their stuff but goes hard 14 - Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World Works great as a closing track. Especially the ending of this track
Does it really deserve a 5? Probably not, especially the second half. But that first half is killer and iconic and young James demands it.
Pretty amazing that they were able to make a career of basically playing the same song over and over by just writing new lyrics. No doubt radical when it came out but seems pretty tame now. Gets a 5 for being as hugely influential album.
Yasssss!
A great album! One of my Top 10
Fast and furious, nearly every song on this album is a banger. It holds up. Period.
Generatin steam heat!
Brilliant pink album.simple riffs but catchy.ive been a Ramones fan for years and this still sounds great to me
Gabba gabba hey! Relentless. Completely unique. I love it.
The Ramones' debut album is a punch to the face in the best way possible. Fast, loud, and stripped down to the essentials, this is the record that kicked the door open for punk rock. No solos, no filler, no nonsense — just raw energy and attitude. This was one of the bands that got me into punk, and this album still holds up as one of the genre’s blueprints. “Blitzkrieg Bop” is the anthem, no question — simple, catchy, and impossible not to shout along to. “Judy Is a Punk” flies by in under two minutes but leaves a lasting mark, and “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” shows they could slow it down and still keep it cool. Then there's “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue” — pure chaos, pure punk, and somehow totally relatable in its own ridiculous way. Favorite song: Blitzkrieg Bop
Unbelievable album. This is what I would point to if someone wanted to know what punk should would like. Heavy, fast, full of aggression and angst. Not complex, but still driving and moving. The Ramones went on to make lots more albums, but all the parts are already in place on this debut album. Side note, their cover of Let’s Dance here, awesome in its own right, points a little to the fact that they were influenced by more than just the loud heavy stuff before them. Along that line, I recommend checking out the Ramones album Acid Eaters, all covers of 60s songs they were influenced by. Just interesting to honk about how they got to this sound from Jefferson Airplane and CCR.
Best ever !
fun, takes me back to college years when I discovered rock music
noice
I do’t have a huge amount to say about this, other than that the Ramones debut is an absolute joy and one of the best punk albums ever. Despite being very short, it’s amazing just how consistent this album actually is seeming as it is essentially the same 50’s revival song over and over again. The thing that probably makes this the case (outside of the songs themselves being brilliant) is the push and pull between the always lovely Joey Ramone, and his love lorn and vulnerable lyrical presence, with the simplistic brutality of the music; represented by the horrible, disciplinary and fascistic Johnny Ramone. This constant tension between the two gives the album a layer of depth and that singularly ‘Ramones-ish’ quality that may not have been there otherwise.
The epitome of punk. Classic.
Amen.
I love beat on the brat. "What can you do' .. it's hilarious. In light of this album everyone else seems to be trying to hard. A true gem.
One of the most influential records in the history of rock music. Listening to it makes m me want to grad a skateboard and thrash around
A classic. Reminds me of playing Tony Hawk's Pro Skater.
some garbage rock in here but the majority are anthems and get the frisson going
I kind of groaned when I saw this was my album because most punk isn’t my thing (save The Clash). But it’s so singular, so fun, so fresh sounding somehow. It’s a blast from beginning to end, and my biggest takeaway from revisiting is how thrilling the transition from I Don’t Wanna Walk Around With You to Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World. Blitzkrieg Bop is still and will always be a banger too.
Didn’t get to listen to the entire thing
Just yesterday I've got Black Flag's Damaged and called it one of the most important albums on this list. Then today the list throws me this one ("you sure about that?"). 3 minutes of fun with 4 chords and easy lyrics. You can't even count how many kids picked up an instrument because of this. It's pop from a punk perspective.
Straight to the point, short snappy and done. A must for every vinyl collection.
gloriously illiterate. easier almost to write in terms of what the ramones were not; seems natural given that at this point "punk" was more an ethos rooted in wide-ranging negation, as opposed to anything resembling a genre with an affirmative set of musical/aesthetic criteria (which "punk" ironically developed into over time). the ramones don't employ neverending solos going nowhere; they avoid jazz fusions that are worse than the sum of their parts; they have no ambition for composing art rock sanitized of any artistry. can only imagine the cathartic reprieve an album like this provided from the barrage of overproduced, overthought, overindulgent music at the time. the sound itself is uncomplicated: a bombardment of cascading guitars, playing barbarically primal chords, all accompanied by the most demented room-temperature iq ravings for lyrics. the choruses are simple and energetic. never strays from the breakneck pace or indulges itself. longest song is 2.5 minutes. the effect is one of urgency, raw expression formed through stripping out any stifling redundancy. succeeds in parody as well. in 'i wanna be your boyfriend' the band plays a caricature of saccharine teen pop, which in context of the album achieves a compelling uneasiness (these sickos talking about "sweet little girls"). other tracks mock the self-serious tough guys populating the punk ranks. all the while, banger after banger.
Never actually listened to a Ramones record until this was recommended. Apparently I'm a Ramones fan!
This is practically the first-ever punk album!!! It's so awesome!!! It has so much energy inside of it!!!
Love the Ramones. They followed in the footsteps of MC5, Iggy Pop and others but in my opinion, The Ramones really started punk in the US.
The Ramones still hit. A classic album that had a huge influence. Love!
Hey ho, let's go! Hell yeah, that's what I'm talking about. Iconic for a reason. Favorites: Blitzkrieg Bop, Beat on the Brat, I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend, Let's Dance Would I listen to it again: Yes
Keep it simple, keep it moving: the everlasting ethos of this eternal band and the tagline for a life well lived.
When I say I like real punk, this is what I mean. Simple,short songs with a driving rhythm. Love the Ramones.
Hey ho let’s go! The punk bank that defined the genre. Angst and indifference meet cynical humor at a relentless pounding beat with constant growling guitar and fat bass driving the melody. Catchy punk rock tunes that stick with you long past the 30 minute album stops spinning. The album cover that was imitated thousands of times over the next nearly fifty years is the perfect artwork for this classic.
🤘
ONE TWO THREE FOUR I've talked a bit before about "classical genre albums" — the albums that, to my ears, are **the** sound of their genre at their basest, simplest forms. Y'know, there are the examples I've mentioned before: Black Sabbath's debut is "classical metal," Dr. Dre's THE CHRONIC is "classical G-funk," and so on. It doesn't necessarily have to be the **first** album in a genre, but it helps a lot. It just has to be the album that, to your ears, is the genre at its most basic, without any fluff. And this album... Boy, yeah, this is "classical punk," without a doubt in my mind. I'm sure there could be a case made for the Sex Pistols' debut, since that has a lot of the snot, and even some of the political commentary, that the genre would later become well known for... But let's not kid ourselves: the Sex Pistols wouldn't exist without the Ramones. To me, the Ramones and this album are to punk what, like, Nirvana and NEVERMIND are to grunge (that album is "classical grunge," by the way). Like, there's no pretense or aspirations to anything big on here. Y'know, nothing is aiming shots at the monarchy or anything like that — or even that complex, for that matter. There's plenty of songs on here that consist of only three lines at most, nothing they sing about is terribly complicated (besides one song about, uh, Nazism),and musically speaking most of them don't aim for anything more than "buzzsaw these three chords." And let's be clear: that's the appeal. I've seen people give this album a 1 because it's repetitive and most all the songs sound similar to each other, but I give it the same defense I've given AC/DC and Motörhead: it's just what they do, and they're just that good at it. Like, if you come into a Ramones album expecting much more than raw "three chords and the truth" punk, that's on you. It's a rush of pure energy, and, bluntly, it's fucking awesome. I also wanna draw particular attention to "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend", probably the biggest outlier in the track listing because of how slow it is and because of its use of instruments like tubular bells. Of all of the songs on the album, it's the one with the clearer influence from 60's girl groups, which is something I've always felt like has been the secret ingredient in the Ramones' music. Sure, I love what an adrenaline shot this album is from how simply fast and loud it is, but it's the way they incorporate girl group-style lead and backing vocals on top that pushes things into another realm entirely. Like, "The KKK Took My Baby Away" is my favorite Ramones song because of how melodically similar it is to a girl group song. Swap out the guitars and tempo (and the KKK, too, I guess) and when you're left with just the melody, it's not too far off. So it should come as no surprise that "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" is my favorite song here — second place going to "Beat On The Brat", largely because Weird Al has covered it, but also it just has a fun vocal line to sing/shout along to. Simply put, not only is this one of the greatest debut albums of all time, but absolutely a definitive and landmark album — and not just within punk, I don't think. It's a burst of simple, loud joy that I'm hard pressed to find any fault in. Not even the fact that it just barely isn't even a half-hour long is an issue; that just means they knew exactly what they wanted to do and didn't bullshit around. And, sure, I might gravitate a bit more towards their later albums for how they managed to expand upon what they laid root here, but that doesn't change what a raw blast this is. It's a 5 and big ol' "HEY HO LET'S GO" from me.
While there were prototype songs from many an artist that had the general shape of "fast songs and simple chords", this group and this album solidified the punk genre as we all know. Solid 5 Stars.
Classic. What started punk as we know it. The band's rhythm is tight and punchy. 10/10
bop
Come on.
Seriously fun album! (10) ★★★★★
Very few albums bring me joy the way this album does -- it's just packed with energy and every song is a gem. I've said it before, but the Ramones are great at making deceptively simple music. While it's true they take a minimalist approach to the instrumentation, the songs themselves are expertly crafted, with song structures going beyond the standard verse-chorus-verse structure and filled to the brim with hooks, usually inside of a 2:30 song. The album also sounds great -- the tones are great, the band is tight, and everything stands out in the mix. Easy 5 stars.
FIIIIIIRE
Fucking bop.
Classic...nothing else to say
"It's just the same song 14 times in a row!" Yeah and? The song is kick fucking ass and probably the blueprint of punk music going forward. 10/10
So raw and punchy
One of my favorites!
HELL YES! Great album start to finish. My only complaint is that the album was too short. This album is proof that a band can make a that is not overproduced and that it still kicks ass!!
Super classic album. Hadn’t heard it in a few years. Has aged superbly! A must listen.
Classic and an important record because it brought in a whole new wave of fans to the genre.
This is an intemporal punk record. Whatever happened after that doesn't really matter, it's a landmark and a corner stone of modern rock music.
Banger
I love everything about this album-it brings me so much joy to hear silly fun music. One could argue that the Ramones know three total chords and write the same song over and over, but I still love it. Every song is a delight from start to finish 29 minutes later. The only real negative is the slight vocal shift in the first part of 53rd and 3rd.
Hey Ho. Let's Go!
Sheena
Haven't listened to this album in a very long time but it's just as good as I remember. Not very long but perfect punk rock. Fav tracks: Blitzkrieg Bop; Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World; Let's Dance
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.
Þvílík veisla. Ekkert gítarrúnk, bara keyrsla.
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.
Obnoxious buzzsaw blasting
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.
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.
Rockin’
Landmark debut.
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.
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.
top 50
9/10
5 stelle sulla fiducia? Sì
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.
Goes without saying
Ey oh, let's go! These geezers never get old.
Essential.
10/10
OG
The cornerstone of punk.
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.
The Ramones were magnificent. This album is magnificent. I love it.
lean and efficient just like my women 10/10
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.
Favourite tracks: blitzkrieg bop; beat on the beat; I wanna be your boyfriend
This is one of the most influential punk albums. Simple yet fun
Absolute classic!!
En riktig punkrökare.
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.
⛓️🤘🏻⛓️
The fucking Ramones!!
Love the Ramones. Love this album. The sound and look that launched a million pop punk bands. 5/5
I can't possibly add anything that hasn't already been said about this. Classic.
Classic record. Untouchable in every way.
An all time great punk album! Very very deserving of a spot on the list. "Blitzkrieg Bop" is an all time Bop, pun very intended, but for real it is just an amazing song. Great album through and through!
Amazing!
I loved this album. The Ramones are, by far, the best non-British punk band.
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.
🤘😎🤘
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.
After struggling through the never ending nightmare of Nightmare in Wax this is the perfect antidote. Short, punchy, and just plain fun
DA BLITZKRIEG BOP
Classic punk album
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.
Doesn't get any better than this!
1234...5 stars
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”
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.
So many classics on this album
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
The unsurpassable ur punk-bop.
The perfect punk record. Catalyst for so much that followed it. Spearhead of the NY, CBGB punk scene.
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.
A quick half hour album of solid punk hits, one right after the other.
These guys don't beat around the bush. Straight to the rock. Love the energy. My only complaint is that it's sort of a one-note album.
Ещё один шедевр только уже изменивший панк. Панк-рок один из моих любимейших жанров, поэтому этот альбом заслуживает высоких похвал от меня
5/5 I don't even need to listen to know I love this album. It's been in my regular rotation for years.
Thoughts before listening: The Ramones are awesome. I love that the band generally credited with creating punk rock had such a poppy and catchy sound. These are sped up, distorted takes on doo wop and Beach Boys style melodies instead of the snarling growl of other early punk bands like the Sex Pistols. I was always more into pop-punk than hardcore, and that comes directly from the Ramones. Review: The album that launched the punk movement, even if the Ramones themselves never became superstars. This is just such a fun listen with songs that have become absolutely iconic within the punk scene. There's really not a bad song on here, and I could add the entire album to my playlist, but I'll highlight that "Blitzkrieg Bop" > "Beat on the Brat" > "Judy is a Punk" is about as strong of an opening as any album ever. 5-stars
What can you say about the album that basically invented punk and influenced so many. Stripping rock down to the studs and not taking themselves so seriously, the Ramones bursted onto the scene with their stage-perfected sound and nothing was ever the same again.
Pure quality
One of my favorites! Its hard for me to give this one an unbiased rating. This album has been with me for a very long time. I loved the contemporary punk music of my day, but I wanted to understand how it all connected and where it came from. So I went hard on 2003 wikipedia and read everything I could about the genre, which is essentially where I discovered The Ramones. Though.. I likely recognized them from all of the Ramones shirts going around at the time. Hot Topic was making millions on Ramones shirts and everyone had one. Anyway, I read all about it. I went to Best Buy and I bought this record. (Though, I think I actually bought a compilation type album that had all of these songs, but they were in different orders and there were more songs.) What surprised me when I first listened to his all those years ago was actually how tame it was compared to blink-182 and Green Day. It really wasn't all that rowdy. Virtually no swearing and the tempo wasn't really all that fast. It seemed kind of PG. It didn't phase me though, I was stoked on it. It was one my first true punk albums. None of that washed down mainstream garbage. This was the real deal. I was obsessed. I took this album everywhere before I had an iPod. I remember literally taking this album to Lake Powell with all the people from church and playing it on the house boat speakers. The Ramones were a pretty weird band. Despite being the archetypal punk band, they were pretty different from most of the contemporaries. They dressed weird, they had weird personas. They're pretty unique in that way. But I think what they did, and especially with this record, is they harnessed the spirit of punk music. They took rock music of the day and made it fast, heavy, punchy. They had songs about hookers (53rd and 3rd), drugs and teenage boredom (Now I Want to Sniff Some Glue), politics (Blitzkrieg Bop & Havana Affair.) But then, they really just loved rock and roll. In a lot of ways, they remind me of the Beach Boys. Especially in songs like I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend & Let's Dance. And I think that's what I love about them as a band. Its what hooked me then, and keeps me coming back as a dude in his 30s. Its the love of music, the idea of pushing a genre forward, doing your own thing and making something new. Its that punk rock spirit.
Great album. Lots of fire. A very important album to my childhood. Love it from front to back.
Hey ho stars.
OGs
respect for fun music...no they don't all sound the same...grow an ear,,,pull that stick out of your ass
Infectious to the nth degree. Don’t see what there’s not to love about it. Solid bangers top to bottom. Incredible hooks, some subtly interesting arrangements, absolutely perfect guitar tones, and killer energy, all packed in less than half an hour. Probably my 1976 AOTY. 5/5
This album is a masterpiece, and that masterpiece is often consider as the first 100% punk rock album, and i agree with that. This album is so influenatial and important it is really the ground zero of punk, and will establish the Ramone recipe: -Fast (i mean ultra fast song) -Agressive riffs -Brutal/cut the crap lyrics -Leather jacket and jeans Even the cover is consdier as one of the best of all times, simple but iconic The song are all very fast, around 2 minutes, sometimes less, the longest song is 2.35 min (I Don't Wanna Go Down to the Basement) Bliztkrieg Bop is the first song, their best song, most well known and most iconic with the world famous "hey ho lets go", about kids going to a rock concert, with allusion to WW2. Beat on the brat is a song about rich kids in Queens New York where the band grew up. Judy Is a Punk by Joey, have a funny structure with a kind off naration "Second verse same as the first/Thrid verse different from the first", talka bout two rebel kids in San Francisco and Berlin. I wanna be your Boyfriend is proabbly my favorite from the album, it have the slowest tempo of all the album, its a love song pretty simple but efficient. Its a tribvute to the 60's love song and a responses to the fact that they all have negative songs. Chain Saw really is the perfect opposite to the previous song, with the fastest tempo and is about horror movies that the band like very much (1974 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre). Now i wanna sniff some glue is pretty straight forwarrd only 4 sentences, about Dee Dee own experienc e with sniffing clue when he was young. Strange for the topic but its on of their only song with I wanna be Your Boyfriend at the time with a positive title (Now I wanna), because most of their song start with (i dont ) I don't wanna go to the basement only have three sentence and is also about horror movies. Loudmouth is also a very very fast song, wioth few sentences, not the best on the album or the most original havana Affair is inspired by a comic spy, not my favorite riff on the album Listen to my Heart is an ironic love song 53rd and 3rd is one of the saddest song on the album, with a hard rockin' riff, is a very personal song by Dee Dee about his own experience of street prostitutions when he was younger to pay for his drug addiction. He expetioantion sing a part of the song where he explain to kill someone to prove he is not gay (fictional i guess). Lets Dance is the only cover on the album I Don't Wanna Walk Around with You the simplest song on the album, 1 sentence (the title) with back vocals and that it. Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World is about nazism and ww2, proably echoing the fact that Dee Dee grew up in Germany and collect nazi memrobillia. Everything is to praise, the riff are just brutal the lyrics are direct no bullshit, Dee Dee is credited on 9 of the 14 songs, and have written some of the best TBH. Joey is credited on 3 songs and Tommy have written most of Bliztkrieg Bop and I wanna be your Boyfriend. The album is so quick to listen only 29 minutes for 14 songs and the music is also perfect Dee Dee and Johnny work perfectly toghether the drums is solid and Joey voice is a big part of their identity being so unique and recognisable. This album have ispired coutnless bands, music style, have created punk and his still relevant and i like it so much.
Might be the most listened to album in my life.
Nothing bad to say about this album. It is the prototype. The quintessential example of early punk. A punchy, fast, fun reaction to disco glitz and prog wanking. If you think all tracks sound the same then I suggest you're just not used to the sound and it's easier to discern similarities than differences. And perhaps you're missing the point, and the Ramones don't give a fuck what you think. That said, there are very few chords and a bit of an uncomplicated template. 'I wanna be your boyfriend' could be 60s garage pop, 'Blitzkrieg Bop' is punk gold, 'Let's Dance' is a cracking cover. I love it. 5 stars in 2m13s seconds.
The Ramones' self-titled debut album is a whirlwind of uptempo fun, capturing the essence of punk rock in its purest form. With its fast-paced rhythms, catchy hooks, and raw energy, the album delivers an exhilarating listening experience from start to finish. Songs like Blitzkrieg Bop and Beat on the Brat are infectious anthems that define the band's signature sound. Each track is a short, sharp burst of rebellious spirit, clocking in at around two minutes, ensuring there's never a dull moment. The simplicity of the guitar riffs and the straightforward lyrics create an immediacy that is both refreshing and engaging. Joey Ramone's distinctive voice, combined with Johnny Ramone's relentless guitar, sets the tone for the album's relentless drive. While the production is deliberately rough around the edges, it adds to the album's raw charm and authenticity. The Ramones' minimalist approach strips rock music down to its bare essentials, emphasising energy and attitude over technical prowess. This debut album not only laid the groundwork for punk rock but also influenced countless bands across various genres. Overall, Ramones is a timeless classic that continues to captivate listeners with its spirited and unpretentious style. Its enduring appeal lies in its ability to convey pure, unadulterated fun, making it a must-listen for any rock enthusiast. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer, this album's infectious energy and rebellious charm are sure to leave a lasting impression. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 9 STAND OUT TRACK - Judy is a Punk
The album of my life.
The Sex Pistols might have had a better image, attitude and reputation but the Ramones had the music. I don't give a flying fuck about style! Give me the Ramones any day of the week.
One of my all time favorite records. This is the very definition of punk rock. No band has ever replicated lyrically or musically the genius of their simplicity and the economy of their music and song. The words are almost childlike but there is a street tough worldliness behind much of them. Veering wildly from anthemic to heartfelt to silly it’s a far more diverse record than the 1-2-3-4 counts and chords initially show. And nobody down-picks like Johnny.
It's a classic. The music I listen to would be very different without this record. I'm really sure what else to say about it.
Another easy 5 star album. Very good debut album from the band. One of the core albums of New York punk. Plus it's another get in and get out album, without the filler that so many albums have. It's great.
Like AC-DC, it’s essentially one long song. It’s a great one though. Kept me drumming my steering wheel all the way through.
So effing good.
RAMONES / RAMONES Simple y llano rock & roll elevado a la enésima esencia. Tres acordes tocados a gran velocidad hacen de "Blitzkrieg Bop", la canción que abre el disco, en todo un himno intemporal. A partir de ahí los Ramones no sueltan el acelerador y con enormes ganchos melódicos y gran simplicidad ofrecen una sarcástica visión de la cultura pop en sus letras: "I Don't Wanna Go Down to the Basement" y el miedo a bajar al sótano tan presente en las películas de miedo o "Beat on the Brat" y la obsesión social por la violencia. También destacaría la mirada sarcástica al amor no correspondido de "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend", y "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue", un himno del punk rock sobre los jovenes desilusionados e insatisfechos con sus vidas que buscan una escapatoria a la monotonía.
Glorious. One of the all-time greats. I listened to this album a lot back in 2001/2002-ish after reading the fun book Please Kill Me (an oral history that included this album and time period).
I mean, what is there to say? It’s the motherfucking Ramones, they’re great! They do their thing and they do it awesome. End of story.
So fucking cool. These guys did this better than anyone.
As far as punk rock goes, does it get any better than "Now I wanna sniff some glue?"
Oh a stone cold classic! This is a fabulous riposte to the excesses of early 1970s rock music that ushered in punk rock. 14 songs in 29 minutes!
Absolutely legendary album. The Ramones are pretty much the godfathers of punk, power pop and a large amount of alternative music.
Oi!
I loved this at some point in my life -- 5 stars because of that. Nowadays, I'd probably give it 4.5, but who is counting?
The best. It’s just rock and roll and nothing else.
# Playlist track - Blitzkrieg Bop # Notes - This is maximum energy, maximum energy, maximum fun. - Simple, cool, doesn't need to act or pretend. - I don't think I'll ever be careless, or free or fun as this album, and that sucks.
Important and influential, and much ripped off by inferior artists. Fast and noisy and short and great
This the sound of punk! No frills, three chord rock' n' roll, simple straightforward lyrics, driving rhythms, the punk attitude and the look! So influential and essential, the Ramones gave hope to all those marginally talented kids that wanted to play in a band and thought they weren't good enough. The debut is a classic, short, sweet and oh, so good! One, two, three, four!!!!
Great energy and joyful noise.
The Ramones were the pioneers of punk music, and their self-titled debut is full of songs that made them the model of a punk band. The feedback-laden guitar is driven and melodic, the songs are simple and catchy, and the lyrics range from morose to silly to absurd. This is great, simple music that was incredibly influential.
Straight to whatever the point was…these guys and this album is muy importante. Gabba Gabba Great
Heard it mant times
An instant classic!! True original!!
Yes! Let's Go! To my ears probably the best and most important 30 minutes of music ever put to tape.
4.5 Iconic cover, iconic album. You can knock this for "all sounding the same," but I think from song to song its pretty nuanced—though that might just be my familiarity with it. I'm only knocking off a quarter point because of the circular saw sample on "Chainsaw." 53rd and 3rd is a burner and as dark lyrics get
I wanted to wear leather in the middle of the summer
I mean, yeah. It's amazing.
Oh yes! Where it all began, some would say. While their sound was uniquely different then most Punk outfits, the hard-driving simplicity set a tone that helped advance a new era of music. I own this album, and was lucky enough to catch them live in the 80’s. A band that fortunately never smart enough to realize how influential they were to kids of the 80’s and beyond. American legends, and fun as hell!
Solid from start to finish. My TOY song was going to be Blitzkrieg Bop
Purely punk. A great album. Thrashy and messy but comes together in a blaze of sound. Every song on the album is classic from a classic band. Hey Ho let's go!
That's the stuff
short album but full of punch, i dig it
Seminal punk album. Embodies everything about the embryonic movement. How man riffs can you fit into these breakneck songs? The first two are as anthemic as anything else, part of the Canon. They also set the punk undertone of connection and admiration for 50s Tin Pan Alley hits on songs like "Be My Boyfriend." Interestimg scene phenomena and I'm here for it.
At the time this album was released, the rock world had never seen anything like it. Folks around NYC (of which I was one thankfully) had heard of the Ramones or "punk rock" but very few people had actually heard them. The Ramones (the album) was like a blast of electrical energy to an otherwise moribund 70s rock scene. Stripped down, fast, and (if properly played) loud, The Ramones were unlike anything most people had heard. It contains some of their best-known songs, especially Blitzkrieg Bop, Beat on the Brat, Judy is a Punk, Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue. It never made it into the mainstream, but the effects are still felt in music today. Punk, New Wave, Pop Punk, Hardcore, Hair Metal, Alternative, and today's Indie rock would not have existed without this album and this band.
The reviews pretty much bifurcate between team fun and team boring. I'm with team fun. Hey ho!
Legit album. One of my favorites.
Beat on the Brat, Judy is a Punk, I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
I mean it's the Ramones, what more is there to say? One of my favorite bands of all time. Every song on here is fantastic. My favorites are probably the first 4 and last 3 songs, but honestly everything here is great. Punk pioneers, and one of the best punk albums of all time.
Simple but effective! What it lacks in variation, it makes up in consistency. I’m not gonna be the asshole here to bash the Ramones.
Absolutely and utterly timeless. and yet surprisingly subdued and less raucous sounding today than it did when it was released.
Incredible stuff, every song is a banger. The Dolby Atmos mix they have on Apple Music is a war crime. Blitzkrieg Bop sounds so bad and echoey
This album is exactly like Metallica's album I reviewed here some time ago. The truth iis that this album IS punk. It defines it and is core to it in every way. This is the Ramones. This is ... important on every level in defining and understanding the punk era and genre. In fact, the only real difference between the core metal band's core metal album is that while I am "just OK" with metal as a genre personally, I LOVE punk and all it encompasses, so there is that!
The question is: in 1974 how much more punk could you be? And the answer is: none…none more punk. Especially because you invented it with this album. Simple. Short. Influential. Legacy. The fathers of punk rock, and a blueprint for so many future bands in punk, indie, rock, metal, you name it. Anything other than a top rating would be punk rock sacrilege.
I love me some punk. I'm rounding this lovely album up to 5* to acknowledge the true grand-daddies of punk (sorry Sex Pistols!). Just four bros playing two minute punk songs about everyday shit and making it sound awesome. Also really enjoy hearing the influences of The Beatles and The Beach Boys in their recordings. Great stuff. 4.5/5
I loved this. This is another I hadn’t listened to, mainly on account of the vibes the people who wear the Ramones t-shirts tend to give off, and I’m glad I did. I know it’s punk and rough around the edges and all that, but it’s somehow pure and crisp in ways I wasn’t expecting.
An absolute banger. I wonder how much music I've heard that's been inspired by this band. 5 star classic all day. R.A.M.O.N.E.S. R.A.M.O.N.E.S. Ramones.
Ba na na
Arguably the fathers of punk rock. Not the grandfathers of course…. I love this album.
Very nice.
Lots and lots of energy in stupid fun proto punkrock songs.
Right, not much to say about this album apart from the fact it laid down the blueprint of punk as it is still recognised today. Still sounds fresh, still punches, superb.
Absolute classic and genre-setting album that still holds up today. These songs are still being put in films, especially indie films about young rebellion, and that speaks to the "universal truths" in the songs and the album.
I enjoy the Ramones immensely. Their debut is fresh, fun and on point. Their formula is simple: play it loud and play it fast. 3-chords, no fucking around and no fucks given. I love it.
duh, the ramones
Dumb. Juvenile. Infectious. Awesome. For me this album is a big part of being a kid in the Eighties. Even my mom liked the Ramones. This album holds up over time.
Does exactly what it says on the tin
Love this album. No notes, full ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Along with the Sex Pistols’ “Never Mind the Bollocks” album, the foundation of traditional punk music.
85% 5 ⭐
Influencers!!
All of the albums on this list are significant but this is the only one that matters.
It's the Ramones, of course it belongs on this list!
I love this album!!! It so iconic.
The album that inspired a generation of punks to take rock & roll back to basics. Fantastic stuff.
Hell yeah, Ramones! What a fun & energetic album. Instantly put me in a good mood. Classic American punk.
Total eye opener the first time I heard it so many years ago. A game changer in the music world. A forever favourite. Of all the albums so far this one is probably in the top 5 as far as number of times I'd previously listened to it prior to this.
Blitzkreig Bop, in a tad over two minutes, is the definition of punk. Full stop. It was 1976. It was the first of 14 songs over 29 minutes which would never be bettered by the genre on either side of the Atlantic. Forget the Sex Pistols, the Undertones, Buzzcocks, Green Day or The Clash. It started and ended here. The iconic album cover, again, was the start and end of what purists will know as punk. Vivien Westwood and Malcolm McClaren were just fashonista compared to this. Anybody can play this music but that isn't the point. The point is The Ramones played it first. I'm not sure whether a whole album over-eggs the pudding. Because, put simply,Blitzkriegt Bop alone - for its cultral importance and sonic efficiency - gives this the 5 stars alone.
14 songs in 29 minutes! Before I could formulate an opinion the album was over. All I know is I played air guitar and drums the whole time.
Great
Every single song sounds exactly the same, but they're all fantastic. 14 songs, 29 minutes. AOR rock this is NOT.
This is difficult. On one hand, every song was essentially the same song over and over again. On the other hand, blitzkrieg bop is a really good song. This is like a 4.5 rounded up
Great. Excellent of course.
Fantastic.
Prime
Marvelously efficient, glorious simplicity
we were a real culture once
This is just awesome from beginning to end.
Amazeballs. Listened on repeat. Danced about the house.
1234
5/5
This was a fun one! It was quick (wonder what their concerts were like?) but all was enjoyable. At the time they were so cutting edge, but in the context of today they would fit right into the Alt Rock genre (a lot of bands must consider them a big influence). Fun to hear them at their career beginning for what must have just been a fun few days of writing, recording and partying.
Early punk done well.
This one is a bonafide classic. No one has ever done it like the Ramones before of since. This is 100% one you need to here before you die, without question. 10/10
Classic album, had the opportunity to perform several.
I mean, it’s the ramones. Iconic. Awesome.
Kurz, knackig, hart! Rock pur!
Man, this album kicks an unbelievable amount of ass. Favorite track: I Don't Wanna Go Down to the Basement
💖 i don’t wanna go down to the basement 🗣️ 🔟
1, 2, 3, 4 5/5
Great album
Loved this, can’t believe I’d never heard the full album. Particularly enjoyed I wanna be your boyfriend into Chainsaw.
An American institution
By this time in the 70’s music was all big and complex and fancy… and then the Ramones came along. Is every song the same? Yes. Does that make any song less awesome? No! Songs added to Spotify: 0 (they’re already there)
For a perfect grey Friday
I can't hear Blitzkrieg Bop without thinking of the movie Accepted. I can still picture Justin Long singing that song on stage at a college party. I love that movie! Favourite songs: Blitzkrieg Bop, Havana Affair, Chain Saw, Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue, Beat on the Brat, I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You, "Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World" Least favourite songs: if forced to pick: I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend 5/5
One of the most classic and greatest punk albums of all time, Had The Ramones not existed, we probably wouldn’t have Social Distortion, Bad Religion, The Misfits, Black Flag, Green Day and blink-182 probably wouldn’t exist without the impact of this album if it never existed.
Perfect simplicity. Short, sweet, so fun.
Makes sense that this is on here - groundbreaking US punk. These guys and The Clash on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean showing the way.
You can never go wrong with Ramones
Whole album has about four chords. Songs are short, fast, loud and often obnoxious. Terrible singing. Amateurish guitar. Catchy as hell. Punk was born here. 10/10 Birth of a genre
Ever notice how every song from the Ramones sounds the same? That means every song is basically a slightly different version of Blitzkrieg Bop. Modern bands should take note. 5/5
The original and the best. It’s the sort of album where I wish I had a Time Machine so that I could here it when it was first released to truly understand how it exploded
One of the ur-texts for punk. 1 2 3 4! Fast, hard and deliberately dumb. Ridiculously fun. Anti pc before there was such a concept. If I say I prefer the heartbreakers it’s not that I don’t like this. And a lot more subtle than you’d expect this to be. End of the century is one of the great documentaries. 4.5.
I missed this when it was released in 1976. But the following year the band released two albums. I was living in a share-house at Concord. One of my housemates was a dear friend named Warwick, an ex psych-nurse & also an ex psych-patient. One Saturday afternoon he got a visit from a thoroughly entertaining & totally crazy friend, who had kayaked his way from Gladesville along the stormwater channels. I saw this guy walking up our street with his kayak under his arm & for the whole visit he could not stop singing the title of Sheena Is A Punk Rocker in a quite deranged fashion. I had no idea what the song was. Then soon after that, for 25cents, I picked up the single Pinhead/Swallow My Pride from the discount bin at Dukes Record Shop in George St Sydney. These tracks came from the 2nd & 3rd albums & pretty soon I became familiar with this first album. It sounds as fresh today as it did when I first heard it. Side 1 takes no prisoners - Blitzkrieg Bop, Beat On The Brat & I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend stand out for me. And on Side 2 the cover of one of my old favourites, Chris Montez’s Let’s Dance, is outstanding. I think the producer, Craig Leon, did really well, because I reckon this is probably very close to what the live Ramones sounded like. Hey, Ho.
FUCK YES! 14 songs in 29 minutes. One of the best bands of all time. This is flawless.
So troubled yet so simple. They took punk to where it needed to be, and at a pretty high cost. I’ll always come back to this.
Banger after banger. Love this album. Changed the world. 5/5
N/a
Perfect.
Album rocks start to finish. Not a bad song on it.
why this album didn't bring mainstream success to the Ramones still baffles me. High energy, no pretensions, so good you just have to bop on listening to it.
Just full of classics and always a fan of their songwriting. I remember being 13, loving the Ramones, and judging everyone who wore a Ramones tshirt without liking the band. The youth don't wear those shirts anymore (and I don't judge anymore either) but if they did, they'd be repping a great great album.
November 30, 2023 While touring England with Talking Heads and visiting Stonehenge, the Ramones stayed in the bus and complained that they'd rather be at McDonald's than looking at a bunch of rocks. 5 stars.
Such a great record. A hair under 30 minutes and is non-stop the whole time.
Short, fast and loud 💯 Punchy guitar, a strong beat and simple repetitive lyrics. Pleasantly unpolished. Hard not to dance to and kinda makes me wanna hit something. It's all the same song... but it's a song I love.
Maybe the greatest punk album of all time. Rough and melodic, the ultimate proto pop punk record.
Top notch punk.
One of the things that I think is really underrated with the Ramones is their songwriting and how conversational they are. The songs are written how people talk, and with the same topics. The repetition, the banality, the simple joys of complaining about love, being bored, sharing inside jokes, talking about terrible movies you’ve watched recently. There are less than 1000 unique words across the whole album, I know I looked it up, but I do think in their brevity, The Ramones managed to capture something of the vastness of the human condition. The music fuckin rips too
It's debatable if the Ramones were the first punk band. What isn't is how good this record is.
Arguably the Very First Punk Rock Record. Certainly the one most accessible that had real melodies & often funny lyrics. At first they were considered a Step below a garage band, but in time they proved that a 2 Minute Song with just Drums,Bass & Guitar could speak volumes. Recorded for less money than a cheap Japanese car cost, songs like "I wanna Be Your Boyfriend" & "Blitzktieg Bop" are shots of Musical adrenaline. Some of the songs are completely unpolished, but thats what adds to the charm. ThisLP Marks the minute when Rock n Roll did a reset and returned to what this music was in the first place- Primal, Fast, Cocky and fun to dance to
Good af
El disco más veloz y rápido del punk.
loved it🤷!!
1,2,3,4 I wanna listen to this album every day. I don't wanna give it less than 5 stars. Total runtime: 2 mins, 1 second. PERFECTION
So many interesting songs. Lots cool riffs and blitzkrieg bop is so goated
It’s the Ramones. Punk rock in America was arguably changed forever with this release. Fast, simple and fantastically fun punk from start to finish. 14 tracks in 28 minutes. Flying through weird lyrics and whatever production values they could get they make one of American punks Rushmore releases.
Just the best ever. It sucks. It's awesome. Energetic, repetitive, entertaining classic.
The O.G. of punk! Absolutely loved it. Never listened through the full album outside of Blitzkrieg Bop.
This is the quintessential American punk album if not the greatest punk album of all time. The songs are short, punchy, and memorable yet are harmonically interesting. Ramones deftly synthesized their 50s and 60s influences into their proto-punk influences to create something frenetic and driving that wasn't overproduced. What's really interesting about this album is how well developed its pop sensibility is. The songs are not overtly experimental yet are creating something that had and continues to have unprecedented influence.
Raw, brutal, and in your face. This entire album should be played at 11.
Love it
Turning up Blitzkrieg Bop as I embark on a day of Halloween errands: 10/10 Sheepishly leaving a second time because I forgot my wallet, quietly playing Beat on the Brat: 4/10 I'm once again not going to act like I have an informed critique. This fucks
10/10
Great album front to back
Classic post-Beatles McCartney, if you’re into it.
The stylings of punk in a very early album. Quite nice.
Legendary album. What more can we say. It's beyond ratings.
Easy 5 stars! Such a fun album that perfectly encapsulates punk.
Another band I haven’t actually listened to. I totally get it now.