Ramones Review: Fourteen Songs in Under Thirty Minutes
9/10 — Ramones - Ramones (1976)
Pros
- Catchy, fast songs
- Massive influence
- Funny and menacing
Cons
- Repetitive
- Thin production
Ramones was recorded in a few days for a tiny budget, and clocks in at under 30 minutes. It paired bubblegum pop melodies with buzzsaw guitars.
What works
‘Blitzkrieg Bop’, ‘Judy Is a Punk’ and ‘Beat on the Brat’ are short, sharp and catchy, and the sound is relentless. The Ramones’ mix of humour and menace had a huge influence on everyone from the Sex Pistols to Nirvana.
Where it falters
The songs share one tempo and one riff style, so it can feel repetitive across a full listen.
Verdict
A thrilling, no-frills debut that changed rock music.
