Rocket to Russia

Unlike some reviewers here, I didn't exactly grown up in the punk era of the late 70s/early 80s. Yeah I was around, but the diaper rash kinda hampered my appreciation for the genre. I kind of backed into the Ramones in high school after wondering where Green Day got their ideas from (and I am happy to say that once I heard the real thing I dropped Green Day and started buying albums from the likes of the Ramones, Talking Heads, The Clash, Devo, etc. etc.). This music wasn't really THAT old when I first discovered it, and it has really stuck with me through all my phases.

Anyway, in this era of emo, mall-punk, sloppy pseudo-hardcore and the like, it's refreshing to throw this one on the player and remember that punk rock can be far from the cheesy and awkward "devolution" which has occurred. Perhaps this fact alone shows the limitations of the genre as well. I mean, there is by definition only so much you can really do with a few chords and a lot of nervous or angry energy. That potential was largely maxed-out by around 1986 (although you never know, some would have said the same about 50s rock n roll). The point is, nothing that has happened since the release of this album takes anything away from its superior quality and the absolute pop PERFECTION of these rock n roll nuggets. It's got an angry Beach Boys sound that was stunningly unique for its time, and it's just so much fun to listen to nearly anywhere. If you like punk rock, this should be the first stop you make.

-HW

OK, I know I'm slow. Still updating my 'vinyl'. This CD is EXCELLENT; even better with the xtra tracks.
All Ramones are kickass; and yes, I think the Spector album is great too.

The Ramones were the punk Beach Boys and sung about the same concerns: going to the beach, being alone in your room, wanting girls. This album is one of the seminal punk documents and is a necessary part of anyone's musical collection. Pure pleasure all the way through. I can't recommend it highly enough.

The fat is stripped, the rock is hard and lean and if you close your eyes you can imagine a thousand birds crapping from fear as Johnny Ramone delivers down strum blow after down strum blow on this 3rd release from the band that figured out exactly what to do with rock `n roll.

The longest songs on this CD both clock in at 2 minutes and 49 seconds and "Slug" may be the best pop song to have been left off a CD ever.

At first I thought that their first album was the best one for years. But when I caught wind of this album, I relized that this one kicks much more ass. "Rockaway Beach" and "Cretin Hop" show it's hardcore punk power while "Here Today, Gone Tomarrow" and "Locket Love" show it's soft side. With Joey's cockeny british accent and Johnny's ripping guitar chords, this is a must have for all fans of the band, punk, rock, or just flat out music.