Paulblow's Full Review: Adios Amigos by The Ramones
Back in the day, when I was a budding punk rocker, the first time I saw the Ramones debut album, I said, "The Ramones aren't punk rock -- their hair's too long!" I soon ate my words, and became a big fan of the band. In fact, the Ramones have become my favorite band of all time. They've got the look: black leather jackets, torn jeans, bowl haircuts - they've got the sound: fast, loud guitars & drums - they've got the songs: so many darn good catchy songs full of camp and humor, too many to even begin to list here. Most of all, they've got one of the best singers in rock'n'roll history: Joey Ramone, not your average punk rock singer, no -- he actually knows how to use his voice, and the man writes some of the funniest lyrics in rock! I love it... the Ramones are not just a punk rock band, no, they are a rock'n'roll band, and throughout their long career have covered all the angles, playing many styles including hardcore punk, pop-rock, ballads, and even an occasional countryfried tune -- all done in their own unique, slightly cheesy style.
"Adios Amigos" was intended to be the Ramones' last studio album before the big breakup (sob). Joey, Johnny, Marky, and CJ did it up proper (with help from Dee Dee) and left us with a very fine album indeed. Even though the Ramones have put out countless great albums, this one has become my favorite...
The CD starts out with a blazing cover of Tom Waits' "I Don't Want To Grow Up". I love how the Ramones can take a cover tune, speed it up, add Johnny's buzzsaw guitar -- and turn it into a Ramones song. Just as the first song ends, "Makin' Monsters For My friends" starts -- another vintage Ramones tune featuring bass-man CJ Ramone on vocals. (He's actually a good singer). The CD continues on with more fast rocking tuneage, in classic Ramones style --short, fast, and melodic. (Only 2 songs out of 13 run over 3 minutes in length) My favorite tunes are "She Talks to Rainbows" featuring Joey's crooning vocals, the rocking "Born To Die In Berlin", "It's Not for Me To Know", and the total punker song "The Crusher" (another one sung by CJ). The CD rocks on strong from start to finish, in true Ramones fashion, full of energy, humor, and beats that will make your neck hurt - everything we've come to expect from the Ramones. The band rocks strong, and Joey's vocals have never sounded better.
The best thing about this CD, besides the songs, is the production. The production and recording quality of this CD simply blows away most of their other albums. The Ramones called in long time associate Daniel Rey (famous New York producer/guitar player) to produce this one, and he really delivered a big, big sound -- wall of loud, crankin' guitars, huge sounding drums, very boomy bass, and of course Joey's fantastic vocals riding above the mix. I was blown away the first time I played this, and I am still blown away every time I give it a listen. It's the loudest Ramones recording in existence, and all together one of the best rock productions I've ever heard...
It's cool the way that even though Dee Dee is not in the band, he's still an integral part of it. He actually co-wrote half the songs on this album, with Daniel Rey. Joey wrote a couple (the love songs, of course), CJ wrote a couple, and even Marky wrote one. Johnny has never written many songs (in fact, I can't think of any he's written), but he doesn't have to --he just plays those blazing fast power chords -- he must have a bionic wrist to play the way he does!
It's sad that the Ramones called it quits, but at least they left us with a helluva great going away present. They really know how to please the fans, and this CD does not disappoint. All Ramones fans must own this CD, 'nuff said...
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