![]() ![]() I’ve always been conscious of a Ramones-shaped hole in my musical education and, like André, I was excited by the prospect of finally filling it. The Ramones will go down in history, and rightly so, but let’s not pretend their formula hasn’t been radically improved on since their success. Rocket to Russia is simply not in the same bracket, and whilst it was undoubtedly important back in the day, better punk albums have since been released. Just look at Bowie’s Low, or even My Aim is True by Elvis Costello. To use its age as a defence would be an excuse. Listening to repetitive power chord progressions playing over the same tired drumbeat is not all that fun for a 2017 listener. The Ramones sound like they’re doing the bare minimum. This is exactly what Rocket to Russia lacks. Bands like Black Flag and The Dead Kennedy’s still sound fantastic today because they combined their edge with good, interesting songwriting, toying with structures, textures, and rhythms. Though there’s no doubting the spirit Rocket to Russia possesses, there’s only so many times you can listen to the same formula over and over again, particularly when there wasn’t much substance to that blueprint in the first place.Īttitude is a vital part of punk, but it’s not the sole importance. Granted, the record is celebrating its 40th anniversary, so this was recorded a long, long time ago, but I think there lies a deeper issue: the music is drastically limited. Perhaps the extreme acclaim affected my expectations, but after spending time with their third studio album Rocket to Russia, I find myself only slightly entertained, and considerably underwhelmed. Their reputation is distinguished to music-lovers of all ages, and their status has been firmly cemented into music history: renowned for not only pioneering the punk movement, but also infusing an everlasting influence on a wide variety of genres, including all sorts of sub-sections in rock and metal. Rickie Lee Jones – The Other Side Of Desire (LP) $24.For years I had been looking forward to the day I actually sat down and listen to the Ramones.Various Artists – Ultimate New Orleans Brass: Second Line Funk! (Vinyl 2-LP Set) $29.99 Read more.Rebirth Brass Band – Rebirth Of New Orleans (Ltd.Irma Thomas – Sings (LP) $15.99 Read more.This one has one great song after another, most of them written between our first and second albums.” Related products “The band had reached its peak both in the studio and live. “This was the best Ramones album, with the classics on it,” Johnny Ramone proclaimed in his autobiography, Commando. Ramones rocket to russia free#We’ll never give free concerts in the park.” But we’re not into changing to be commercial. Singer Joey Ramone had a similar reaction when it was suggested that the Ramones were ‘getting more commercialized’: “It happens, you know, there’s nothing you can do about it. We keep hearing that everything sounds the same.” We wanted a well-balanced album that people could listen to. We’re punk, we’re pop, a little of everything. ![]() In the beginning, even if we wanted to write pop songs, we were incapable of it. We’ve always liked pop songs,” guitarist Johnny Ramone shrugged when asked if Rocket to Russia was ‘more pop than punk’ during a 1978 interview “We’re able to write better now. “I don’t think it’s any particular direction of any sort. The three singles from Rocket to Russia are the band’s only three songs to impact the Billboard Hot 100: “Rockaway Beach” (#66), “Sheena is a Punk Rocker” (#81), and “Do You Wanna Dance” (#86). A formidable showing, considering the most popular album in America that week was the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Released November 4, 1977, Rocket to Russia did resonate with America youth eager for pure, uncut guitar-powered aggression the album crashed the Billboard 200 to peak at #49 over the week of February 18, 1978. Packed with instant classics including “Sheena is a Punk Rocker,” “Rockaway Beach,” and “Teenage Lobotomy,” Rocket to Russia really should have propelled Ramones to the pinnacle of the rock ‘n’ roll universe. The last studio effort featuring the original lineup, the record still rocks with an unbridled and casual confidence that oozes from the rapid-fire riffs and bubblegum harmonies. It’s easy to hear why so many Ramones fans consider Rocket to Russia as the band’s best album. Description *This is a Vinyl LP* Release Date: 2022 Label: Rhino Records ![]()
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