Anyone who doesn’t like the Ramones doesn’t like rock ‘n’ roll. The ultra stripped-down sound of arguably the most influential band to emerge from the 70’s is still fresh and damn necessary at time when simple, upbeat punk is too often lost behind the din of derivative bass beats, boring emo bellyaching and indulgent pop diva screeching. The Ramones released 21 studio and live albums while playing 2,263 shows, making loud, fast and relentless noise through the better part of three decades.
“Weird Tales of the Ramones” 3 disc sampler included alongside a DVD and 52 page comic anthology, captures a small slice of the band’s prodigious output. Beginning with their widely familiar, uber-catchy “Blitzkrieg Bop” and finishing with the more obscure “I Lost My Mind” , there’s plenty of room for “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment”, “Cretin Hop”, “I Want to Be Sedated” and the Phil Spector produced “Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio?”, part of his overdone handling of a band that never needed more than the requisite three chord combo to satisfy their fans. This teaser is a fine introduction for kiddies who are just discovering the Ramones and a likable gathering of tunes for those of us who’ve been yelling Gabba! Gabba! Hey! for years |