The Ramones - The Ramones (180g Remastered Vinyl LP)

Released in 1976, Ramones is the debut album that helped define the sound and attitude of punk rock. At a time when many rock bands favoured extended solos and increasingly elaborate arrangements, four musicians from Queens, New York, stripped everything back to fast tempos, simple chords and songs that rarely outstayed their welcome. Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee and Tommy Ramone made that simplicity sound revolutionary.

Recorded at Plaza Sound in New York and produced by Craig Leon with drummer Tommy Ramone, the album was made quickly and on a modest budget. Its sharply separated guitars, bass and drums give the music a direct, almost live-in-the-room intensity. Johnny's relentless downstroke guitar, Dee Dee's driving bass, Tommy's no-frills drumming and Joey's unmistakable vocal delivery established a template that countless punk bands would follow.

The opening Blitzkrieg Bop announces the band's arrival with its unforgettable Hey! Ho! Let's Go! chant. Beat on the Brat is sardonic and infectious, while Judy Is a Punk compresses a miniature story into a frantic burst of music. I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend reveals the group's affection for 1960s pop melodies beneath the distortion. Chain Saw and Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue turn absurdist humour into breathless rock and roll.

Side B keeps the momentum with Loudmouth, Havana Affair and Listen to My Heart. 53rd & 3rd adds a darker edge, drawing on Dee Dee's songwriting, while the cover of Chris Montez's Let's Dance connects the band to the early rock-and-roll records they loved. Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World closes the album with provocative lyrics and another unforgettable chorus.

The album was not a major commercial success on release, but its influence became immense, reaching musicians across the emerging punk scenes in New York, London and beyond. This remastered 180g vinyl LP contains the original fourteen-track album. Barcode 081227932756 identifies the edition offered here. Few records demonstrate so convincingly how much excitement can be created with so little excess.

Supplied brand new and sealed.

Available from Heathen Records, your independent Australian online record store specialising in new and collectible vinyl.

Details

• Artist: Ramones
• Album: Ramones
• Format: Remastered 180g vinyl LP
• Genre: Punk Rock
• Original Release: 1976
• Records: 1
• Tracks: 14
• Label: Sire / Rhino / Warner Music
• Barcode: 081227932756
• Condition: Brand new & sealed

Track List:

Side A
A1 Blitzkrieg Bop
A2 Beat on the Brat
A3 Judy Is a Punk
A4 I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend
A5 Chain Saw
A6 Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue
A7 I Don't Wanna Go Down to the Basement

Side B
B1 Loudmouth
B2 Havana Affair
B3 Listen to My Heart
B4 53rd & 3rd
B5 Let's Dance
B6 I Don't Wanna Walk Around with You
B7 Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World