Soi Disantra: SD Hall of Fame: The Ramones, Ramones

June 23, 2006

SD Hall of Fame: The Ramones, Ramones

First off, should I give one of those "apologies for the lack of posts" things here? I don't think so. Who's really upset? I can't imagine anyone. Maybe you're not getting your recommended weekly dose of SD, but c'mon, it's not like the Internet is lacking for entertainment. I mean, you got Denny "Blazen" Hazen, Jared Leto's tour rider (why do they always put the numbers in parentheses on these things? If you think the person reading it might not be able to read a number that's spelled out, then just use the numeral), SD-inspired blogs (get crackin' on this, Leee), Borat and every box score ever. So whatever. As for this latest addition to the HOF, it's a very obvious one, but it just wouldn't be a HOF without this album. The other day as ZR and I both tried to distract ourselves from work we were talking about this record and he said that it was the most perfect combination of high art and low art. And I guess I'll go along with that. I had a brief punk phase back in high school (although I never wore my hair like Daniel Desario), but it never really took. And part of that can be attributed to the simple fact that this album renders most of what came after it in that genre (including most of the Ramones discography, admittedly) pretty pointless. Here it is. This is all you need. I always mark the first gorgeous day of spring by going for a drive while playing this album at an ungodly volume. Never gets old. Who cares if the guitars could be mixed a little more Alibini-y? Two nuclear holocausts from now, this album will still be flooring mutant 14 year olds living in their radioactive caves. Ranking time...

1. Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue -- Maybe the best opening blast in the history of rock 'n' roll. If this doesn't snap you to attention, you are dead. And if you are dead and you are reading this, then I was right all along about there being SD in heaven! Or wait a second...

2. Today Your Love, Tomorrow the World -- Sure, this will always be a sentimental favorite since the first ever FAs club gig ended with a cover of this song. But hey, we only cover the best. (Except for that time we played "Doe" because PS wanted to play it. What the hell was the deal there, PS?) And yes, I did enjoy singing "I'm a Nazi schatze." The classic countoff, the relentlessness ... I'm not usually one for anthems, but I would definitely vote for this as the new national anthem. But the whole Nazi thing would probably scare people off. Stupid people.

3. Judy Is a Punk -- My favorite of the more bubblegummy ones. Took me many years to realize Joey was saying "ice capades." I don't even mind the referencing the song lyrics, a tactic that usually turns me off.

4. Listen to My Heart -- Yeah, here's my secret favorite. Everyone needs a secret favorite, right? Some people might want the oh-so-sweet "Boyfriend," the slight change of pace of "53rd of 3rd" or "Beat on the Brat." I just want the 120 seconds of straight ahead, repetitive power.

5. Blitzkrieg Bop -- It's impossible to objective about this song at this point, obviously. It's been car commercialed, Jock Jammed and everything in between. But it's brilliance can still be appreciated. Like you don't instinctively go to play this when you pick up a guitar. C'mon. Everyone can have fun shouting "Hey! Ho!" (myself included), but the staggering of the vocals/drums, then bass, then guitar, that's just great stuff. Sure, I'd probably rather have "Chain Saw" come on my shuffle, but that doesn't mean it's a better song.

Worst Song -- Loudmouth
This was definitely the toughest album yet to pick a worst for, there's no "Joey" or "European Son" to make things easy. ZR sold me on this one. The bass prominence over guitar is especially exaggerated in this one and it seems like the most by-the-numbers song lyrically. And the tempo switch/fade out is done much better in "TYL, TTW."

Previous Inductees
Archers of Loaf, Vee Vee
Can, Monster Movie
The Fall, Grotesque (After the Gramme)
Bob Dylan, Desire
Beulah, When Your Heartstrings Break
The Wedding Present, Watusi
The Velvet Underground, The Velvet Underground and Nico

--DM--

June 23, 2006 | Permalink

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June 23, 2006

SD Hall of Fame: The Ramones, Ramones

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