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Nice one Martin! I'm a total Ramones Contrarian because my favorite 5 Ramones albums are "Brain Drain" "Mondo Bizarro" "Animal Boy" "Halfway to Sanity" "Pleasant Dreams"
Great episode! I love Martin’s steadfast opinion and contrariness. I’m a fan of every Ramones album, some, of course, more than others. I even played the role of Joey Ramone in a Ramones Tribute Band in the Noo Yawk area for a decade from about 2002-2011. Unfortunately, we only did four songs from this particular platter: Airwaves, KKK, 9 to 5 World and She’s a Sensation. Comparatively speaking, we did every song from Ramones and Leave Home; twelve of fourteen from Rocket to Russia; and half of Road to Ruin. Most people wanted to hear the early stuff. I really dig all their divergent genre hopping: from punk to pop to hardcore to hard rock. An awesome video for a phenomenal band! Thanks, gents. Cheers from the birthplace of The Ramones... Queens, Noo Yawk!
The ultimate Ramones album is It's Alive. All the early classics played faster than on the studio albums. Without becoming a blur, like on live performances later in their career.
You’re the first person I see that has Pleasant Dreams as #1. Even with fans that prefer their more pop-ish experiments, they tend to go with End of the Century. I think Pleasant Dreams is a terrific record! It’s not even close of being my favorite of them, but on its own, it’s quite fine. I’ve never looked the same at the Ramones after I saw the documentary “End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones”. I remember one review said: “it's incredible that so much dumb fun was generated out of such pain”. That pretty much sums it.
My fave Ramones records : Rocket To Russia (77), Too Tough To Die (84) and Mondo Bizarro (92). One from each decade! All 10/10 records IMO. Regardless, loved the episode as always.
I find the Ramones and Motorhead as the hardest bands to do an album ranking for. Neither have a full blown terrible album. Even on their weaker efforts, there are always a few songs that save the album. I also find that my favorite album or maybe a better way to say it...the album I currently find myself listening to more than their others tends to fluctuate quite a bit. Other bands, my favorite album has usually been my favorite album for years, if not decades. So, right now, at this moment, Too Tough To Die would be my favorite. Not quite sure if that's contrarian or semi-contrarian...
Too Tough to Die it's in my top 5, along with the first three with Tommy on drums and Pleasant Dreams. I even heard some people say that it's their last great album, I think even Dee Dee said something like that Subterranean Jungle is their worst, along with Halfway to Sanity
I like the melllow Ramones. I wish someone would put out an album of mellow/love songs by the Ramones. I feel kind of the way you do about the Who about the Ramones. I think Joey and Dee Dee got it right on Road up to Subterranean. I really cherished those romantic songs on the albums. Don't Come Close from Road to Ruin may be one of my favorite Ramones songs of all time. I want You Around from the movie Rock 'n' roll High School, is another fave of mine also. There was that Beatles Love Songs album from the 60s and 70s that could be a good template for a Ramones love songs album. There's definitely enough mellow songs by the Ramones to make a good easy listening album.
Totally. Some of the best Ramones songs are those early ballads. Making a mixtape for that certain punk girl? Include "I Want You Around", and you got it made.
Some of my favorite songs from the Ramones are the ballads. Even some forgotten ones like What's Your Game, Questioningly and I Won't Let it Happen are great I think I prefer this kind of songs way better then their "heaviest" and hardcore stuff they did on albums like Animal Boy and Halfway to Sanity
This one is my sentimental fave...being the first Ramones record I was waiting on and grabbed right away upon release. Even my mom would walk by and go..."That's punk? Sounds like 50's music..." I'd fume righteously...while knowing she was right.
Self titled is my choice, with End of the Century coming in second place. Their discography is pretty darn good throughout. I was pleasantly surprised by the shift in sound, as they have a reputation like AC/DC for sounding the same all the time.
Pleasant Dreams is a great album ! Better then the horrible sounding overhyped Phil Specter End of the Century. We Want The Airwaves is a rock anthem if there ever was one. In pure RAMONES style all the songs on Pleasant Dreams were reved up live with an added punch ! Saw this tour in a very small place in Twin Lakes Wisc. They blew the roof off the place !
Joey Ramone was singing better than ever and was at his songwriting peak during this time, he wrote some of the most underated Ramones songs for Pleasant Dreams. Don't Go, 7-11, This Business is Killing Me, all really good songs, and Marky is doing his best Keith Moon on She's a Sensation I even like the production, it fits the band better than what Phil Spector did on End of the Century Is it better than the first three classic albums? No But it's better than Road to Ruin, wich many people consider the best with Marky on drums but to me it's a little overated
Rocket to Russia is my favorite but honestly I’m a fan of all their albums. Pleasant Dreams is a great album and would definitely make my top five. Martin what do you think of the awesome Ramones live album “It’s Alive”? IMO it’s one of the top twenty best live albums of all time.
Great show. I love The Ramones but this is definitely a very contrarian choice. I don’t know anyone else who’d pick this as number one though I do like it, my ranking would have it probably middle of the pack if not slightly lower. It was probably their last attempt at commercial success, after it didn’t really work they kind of just gave up. While it’s not my favourite the album I have always really liked the most from Pleasant Dreams onwards is Mondo Bizarro.
Saw The Ramones in 1996 when they played Lollapalooza. Soundgarden and Metallica were also on the bill. It was the second concert I'd ever been to in my life after seeing AC/DC on the Ballbreaker tour a couple months earlier. Good times and great memories.
While I enjoy "Pleasant Dreams" more than anything that followed (Subterranean Jungle is close) I don't feel it's as good as any of the albums that preceded it except for "End of the Century" (I am not a fan of Spector's production). To me Dreams sounds like a natural follow-up to "Road To Ruin". "Rocket To Russia" is their masterpiece! Not a dull moment on there.
My fav album for the last few years has been ''Animal Boy". I definitely dig the hardcore/hard rock/punk sound they had in the late 80's and "Halfway To Sanity" was one of my favs for a while.
you sound like youre sick is in my top 5 ramones songs...pleasant dreams was my first album i bought by them..first exposure too...then i heard the early albums...they are great
I've been a huge Ramones fan for years so it's hard for me to pick a favorite. RamonesMania was actually my introduction to the band but that's a compilation album. I think I'd agree with Marco and say either first album or Rocket to Russia. Subterranean Jungle was actually always one of my favorites. It's actually a prettt good album if you can get past the piss poor production.
Pleasant Dreams is a fantastic album! If it had been made by an unknown band it would be considered a classic. If it's too pop then I don't wanna be right. Or well. My favorite Ramones era is the 78-81 years and I'm not big on Too Tough to Die. Sitting in My Room is a great closer. The reissue CD has the best demos of the bunch. Plus, you get a look at the cool original cover with horror movie lettering. Good choice Martin!
There are no Ramones albums I dislike. Pleasant Dreams would be somewhere in the middle for me and I hate the cover art. Rocket to Russia, Ramones & Road to Ruin would be my top 3.
One of the greatest bands ever, I saw them live 5 times going back to Sub Jungle. All their 80s albums are grossly underated and Dee Dee was a great songwriter.
Ramones are like Cheap Trick in the sense that the first 3 or 4 albums are considered defined sound classics and the rest are looked down on, where those groups try different approaches and producers. Hard to choose favorites in The Ramones catalog cause there are the albums that are more classic punk, others more poppy, others more 60's, or more hardcore, or more metalish, so each of their albums have their charms. I really like Too Thought to Die and the next three a lot. Great idea to do some more punk books, could be about bands which sound timeless so that way maybe Pete Pardo's type "rockers" could get into punk lol. Apart from the Ramones I think The Damned and Bad Religion might have the best and more accessible discographies in punk overall. Also a Replacements/Husker Du/Sugar book or a Minor Threat/Rites of Spring/Fugazi book could be interesting.
I only have the Ramones 2 CD Hey Ho Let’s Go Anthology as far as physical media goes, but the songs from this album that are on it I’ve always really liked. You’ve inspired me to give this one a listen, as if I needed that extra push. Thanks Martin.
@Martin Popoff thanks. I think it’s because when “Too Tough To Die” came out, it was one of those albums that holds a lot of good memories for me, that was the first tour I saw them live and they played in this tiny club in Detroit called Todd’s, I never sweater so much at a show, I went with two good friends and we were drenched with sweat when we came out of that show, the hallway leavening the club was very narrow and I remember a bunch of people piling out o leave the club, one of my friends snatched a Ramones shirt that was stapled to the wall where their mercy table was before the show. You had discussed before about loving a certain album because you had to be there when it came out, that was one of those albums.
Wow, really enjoyed this episode! I don't know those early 80s Ramones albums, gonna do a "deep dive" right now. Thanks for always expanding my music knowledge! 😎
I don't know The Ramones very well, but I enjoyed the episode and especially the point about "everyone knows the t-shirt"... It's amazing how some bands become totems of a certain subculture, and as such, become untouchable. I can envision a party where someone asserts they don't like this band, and others respond "who doesn't like The Ramones?" (even if they aren't that familiar with the music).
This is going to sound horrible for me to say, I love the Ramones, but I have always found their compilations better than their actual albums. There are always good songs on each album, but I have never found a perfect traditional album from them.
Personally, I place Pleasant Dreams as THE WORST Ramones album of all time. No question. The production is fine, but the power of the mighty Ramones has been tamed here, instead concentrating on saccharin pop melodies. Too much Joey and not enough Johnny!
@Martin Popoff Really? I actually prefer Dee Dee's and CJ's vocals over Joey's (especially when he's crooning!). I guess that can be explained since I really love the hc stuff!
@@anthonybomberry9935 I absolutely love Elvis! We haven’t done one and it’s a bit intimidating because there’s so many albums but I wouldn’t be surprised if we did something down the road.
Hey hey, the Ramones! I saw them back on the Subterranean Jungle tour and they were just great! A friend of mine appears on the Joey Ramone solo album, and he appears on one of her singles, called "Punk Boy"; Do yourself a favor and do a TH-cam search for HELEN LOVE, who claims to have listened to nothing but Ramones albums when growing up. Check out her song "You Can't Beat a Boy Who Loves The Ramones" for some prime Gabba Gabba Hey! My favorite Ramones album? IT'S ALIVE.
1. Ramones 2. Leave Home 3. Road to Ruin 4. Mondo Bizarro 5. Subterranean Jungle 6. Adios Amigos! 7. End of the Century 8. Pleasant Dreams 9. Rocket to Russia 10. Too Tough to Die
I've been a big fan of Pleasant Dreams for a long time too. It's not my number one favourite Ramones album but I'd put it in my top five and I like it more than Leave Home and End of the Century. Leave Home has great songs but I prefer live versions of those songs, End of the Century has some good tracks but I prefer the demo versions on the Rhino reissue.
“Pleasant Dreams” is very pleasant in its form and style...in fact it's a little bit of everything - tired, unoriginal, unsure. Overproduction is still a huge issue here - making it by far the most sugary Ramones album. Joey's vocals do fit the songs and he saves this album from becoming anything really bad. The Ramones live (fortunately) was its own entity - full of nerve, thick and solid in sound and rhythm with their unfuckable stage presence and energy, so they were never going to fade away. So, while "Pleasant Dreams" wasn't going to make waves, plenty of fans were still going to go to their gigs to witness "You Didn't Mean Anything to Me" in a faster, tougher manner than this album presents.
This is actually one of favourite albums EVER! KKK, Airwaves, 9 -5, Sitting in my room,, Love the band. All the albums, well ok most of the albums lol. Got to work the last four studio releases for Canada. I have a thank you on Adios Amigos which always blows my mind. Thanks for this. Never saw the show until tonight. I do know Martin of course as he is a music writer and I worked publicity. Listening now to the Pleasant Dreams record, yes the record, after watching you guys. Miss their live shows, miss them all. God bless the Ramones.
@@thecontrarians2438 Loved the show, especially because you love this album. Do write a book documenting the beginning of punk. If you need some research help I would be very interested. Oh have you heard this th-cam.com/video/-TwhP-8DwGU/w-d-xo.html Pleasant Dreams demo tape. after first song there is few minutes of break, same after 2nd, I think after the third it plays on. 2 songs that are not on this record. I love this. A new happy place for me. We are FB friends btw. Love the show, I subscribed. Look forward to more.
1. Blitzkrieg Bop 2. Do you Remember Rock n Roll Radio 3. Beat on the brat 4. Judy is a punk 5. Suzy is a headbanger 6. Sheena is a punkrocker 7. I Wanne be sedated 8. Little bit o soul 9. Oh Oh I Love Her So 10. I Just Want to Have Something to do
Martin, Please write the Book about "WHO INVENTED PUNK". The topic makes for great Discussion & Debate. With Your Talent It would Be An instant Must Have for Anyone That Loves Music...Just Sayin.... BTW "Rocket to Russia" = my Fave Ramones...
Cool show guys! My favorite is "Road to Ruin" and the debut of course, an important album in music/punk history. Another difference between Joey and Jonny was their political orientation - Joey was a left liberal with a Jewish background while Jonny was, as mentioned by Martin, right wing and had a nostalgia for Nazi symbols and memorabilia. It's unbelievable the band lasted so long, since these differences existed more or less from the beginning. And then - the KKK took my baby away ...
I've always loved Pleasant Dreams. I would rank it my 5th favorite after the first 4. The only song I'm not crazy about is "It's Not My Place" but I still like the song. FUN FACT: Russell Mael from the band Sparks does some backup vocals on Pleasant Dreams.
Big regret not seeing them on the Lollapalooza tour 96. I was too much a snob to go to the one where Load-era Metallica headlined. Really kicking myself now. Went through a phase where I constantly went to shows to make up for a few really good ones I missed/didn't appreciate back then. 🙁
We Want The Airwaves! is one of my favourite Ramones songs. I think that Too Tough To Die is very underrated. Side One is very punky and every song is reallly great. Mama's Boy, I'm Not Afraid Of Life, the title song, Wart Hog, Danger Zone all kick ass, and the poppier numbers Chasing The Night and Howling At The Moon are nice as well. Side Two is good as well. I love this album! It's my favourite Ramones album.
Rocket to Russia for me, especially the expanded CD version with the extra cuts. But this episode really made me want to give Pleasant Dreams another listen. Great stuff as always, guys!
It’s amazing how Ramones had so many great songs for a band that actually didn’t get along. “End of the Century” was my first Ramones album, but I think I’d go with “Ramones” as my top pick.
One of my favorite bands and the reason I decided to play guitar way back in the early eighties. Pleasant Dreams is an overlooked album. It's so good. I actually love Graham's production. My favorite has to be "Rocket To Russia", though I love "Animal Boy" as well. There's not an album that I dislike. "Adios Amigos" is rough, but I'd never turn it off.
Tell me about it!! But I actually think the first record was gold and they had a couple of gold singles, and I wanna be sedated was platinum! I also think there’s a compilation album that was gold too. Not bad still!
Ramones and Ramonesmania went gold in usa. Mondo bizarro and Avid eaters in Brazil and Argentina. Road to ruin is their biggest seller worldwide , over 3 million. It only sold 250000 copies 1978 ...
I've always thought that pleasant dreams is a sad and dissapointing album. The cynical album title , the weird cover , the soft and polished production. Their record company saw them as a failure and forced them to work with Gouldman who was supossed to bring out 'song sensebility' instead of 'high energy'. Ramones felt humiliated and didn't communicate with each other and that's reflected in the music and lyrics. There's a handful excellent songs , though ... With an edgy tommy ramone/ed stasium production and some real punk songs , it could have been great album
I loved Come On Now ! They were really great live on this tour. One of My favorite Ramones live bootlegs is from this tour. No way I could ever say this is the best Ramones album. But since I pretty much love em all for different reasons. I dig it quite a bit. For Me My favorite Ramones album. Will always be Its Alive after that I'd go with Rocket To Russia. I gotta say I loved End Of The Century and most don't. Some days I might say Leave Home & the first album are the best. I'm really big on Animal Boy too.
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Nice one Martin! I'm a total Ramones Contrarian because my favorite 5 Ramones albums are "Brain Drain" "Mondo Bizarro" "Animal Boy" "Halfway to Sanity" "Pleasant Dreams"
Great episode! I love Martin’s steadfast opinion and contrariness. I’m a fan of every Ramones album, some, of course, more than others. I even played the role of Joey Ramone in a Ramones Tribute Band in the Noo Yawk area for a decade from about 2002-2011. Unfortunately, we only did four songs from this particular platter: Airwaves, KKK, 9 to 5 World and She’s a Sensation. Comparatively speaking, we did every song from Ramones and Leave Home; twelve of fourteen from Rocket to Russia; and half of Road to Ruin. Most people wanted to hear the early stuff. I really dig all their divergent genre hopping: from punk to pop to hardcore to hard rock. An awesome video for a phenomenal band! Thanks, gents. Cheers from the birthplace of The Ramones... Queens, Noo Yawk!
The ultimate Ramones album is It's Alive. All the early classics played faster than on the studio albums. Without becoming a blur, like on live performances later in their career.
You’re the first person I see that has Pleasant Dreams as #1. Even with fans that prefer their more pop-ish experiments, they tend to go with End of the Century. I think Pleasant Dreams is a terrific record! It’s not even close of being my favorite of them, but on its own, it’s quite fine.
I’ve never looked the same at the Ramones after I saw the documentary “End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones”. I remember one review said: “it's incredible that so much dumb fun was generated out of such pain”. That pretty much sums it.
My fave Ramones records : Rocket To Russia (77), Too Tough To Die (84) and Mondo Bizarro (92). One from each decade! All 10/10 records IMO. Regardless, loved the episode as always.
I find the Ramones and Motorhead as the hardest bands to do an album ranking for. Neither have a full blown terrible album. Even on their weaker efforts, there are always a few songs that save the album. I also find that my favorite album or maybe a better way to say it...the album I currently find myself listening to more than their others tends to fluctuate quite a bit. Other bands, my favorite album has usually been my favorite album for years, if not decades. So, right now, at this moment, Too Tough To Die would be my favorite. Not quite sure if that's contrarian or semi-contrarian...
Too Tough to Die it's in my top 5, along with the first three with Tommy on drums and Pleasant Dreams. I even heard some people say that it's their last great album, I think even Dee Dee said something like that
Subterranean Jungle is their worst, along with Halfway to Sanity
Love 'Pleasant Dreams' but mostly go back to 'Brain Drain' for more metal-isms.
I like the melllow Ramones. I wish someone would put out an album of mellow/love songs by the Ramones. I feel kind of the way you do about the Who about the Ramones. I think Joey and Dee Dee got it right on Road up to Subterranean. I really cherished those romantic songs on the albums. Don't Come Close from Road to Ruin may be one of my favorite Ramones songs of all time. I want You Around from the movie Rock 'n' roll High School, is another fave of mine also. There was that Beatles Love Songs album from the 60s and 70s that could be a good template for a Ramones love songs album. There's definitely enough mellow songs by the Ramones to make a good easy listening album.
Totally. Some of the best Ramones songs are those early ballads. Making a mixtape for that certain punk girl? Include "I Want You Around", and you got it made.
Some of my favorite songs from the Ramones are the ballads. Even some forgotten ones like What's Your Game, Questioningly and I Won't Let it Happen are great
I think I prefer this kind of songs way better then their "heaviest" and hardcore stuff they did on albums like Animal Boy and Halfway to Sanity
@Martin Popoff The first time I heard We Want the Airwaves, I could've sworn the whispering voice was about to say, "Be quiet. Big boys don't cry..."
Beach Boys over Beatles is you meant I'm sure;; that's the primary basis.
@@kookadams85 beach boys always had a huge influence on them, just like the kinks and early stones and who (not so much the beatles, I think)
This one is my sentimental fave...being the first Ramones record I was waiting on and grabbed right away upon release.
Even my mom would walk by and go..."That's punk? Sounds like 50's music..."
I'd fume righteously...while knowing she was right.
Self titled is my choice, with End of the Century coming in second place. Their discography is pretty darn good throughout. I was pleasantly surprised by the shift in sound, as they have a reputation like AC/DC for sounding the same all the time.
Pleasant Dreams is a great album !
Better then the horrible sounding overhyped Phil Specter End of the Century. We Want The Airwaves is a rock anthem if there ever was one. In pure RAMONES style all the songs on Pleasant Dreams were reved up live with an added punch ! Saw this tour in a very small place in Twin Lakes Wisc. They blew the roof off the place !
Joey Ramone was singing better than ever and was at his songwriting peak during this time, he wrote some of the most underated Ramones songs for Pleasant Dreams.
Don't Go, 7-11, This Business is Killing Me, all really good songs, and Marky is doing his best Keith Moon on She's a Sensation
I even like the production, it fits the band better than what Phil Spector did on End of the Century
Is it better than the first three classic albums? No
But it's better than Road to Ruin, wich many people consider the best with Marky on drums but to me it's a little overated
Rocket to Russia is my favorite but honestly I’m a fan of all their albums. Pleasant Dreams is a great album and would definitely make my top five. Martin what do you think of the awesome Ramones live album “It’s Alive”? IMO it’s one of the top twenty best live albums of all time.
My favorite songs off the album are 7/11 and She's a Sensation.
Great show. I love The Ramones but this is definitely a very contrarian choice. I don’t know anyone else who’d pick this as number one though I do like it, my ranking would have it probably middle of the pack if not slightly lower. It was probably their last attempt at commercial success, after it didn’t really work they kind of just gave up. While it’s not my favourite the album I have always really liked the most from Pleasant Dreams onwards is Mondo Bizarro.
thank you! I be probably never sided more with the general consensus than with the Ramones!
'We Want The Airwaves', 'Don't Go', '7-11', 'You Didn't Mean Anything To Me' and 'Sitting In My Room' are my fav trax from "Pleasant Dreams".
My fav too tough to die
"Pleasant Dreams" is currently the only RAMONES album I have on cassette and CD. Eventually I'll obtain a vinyl copy.
Saw The Ramones in 1996 when they played Lollapalooza. Soundgarden and Metallica were also on the bill. It was the second concert I'd ever been to in my life after seeing AC/DC on the Ballbreaker tour a couple months earlier. Good times and great memories.
Wish I could have seen them but I was a bit too late to the party :( I was 8 in 1996... though my first concert was KISS in 98
I appreciate the analysis, but I have to disagree regarding production. Would have loved to hear this album in the hands of Tommy Ramone producing.
You guys BOTH made Great points- best lp after Rocket & the 1st side way better than the 2nd.
While I enjoy "Pleasant Dreams" more than anything that followed (Subterranean Jungle is close) I don't feel it's as good as any of the albums that preceded it except for "End of the Century" (I am not a fan of Spector's production). To me Dreams sounds like a natural follow-up to "Road To Ruin". "Rocket To Russia" is their masterpiece! Not a dull moment on there.
Agreed!
My Top 3 woukd be: Road To Ruin, Pleasant Dreams, and Animal Boy!!
The guys remind me of the old Monty Python skit where people paid to have an argument. I'm sure they would love that!
My fav album for the last few years has been ''Animal Boy". I definitely dig the hardcore/hard rock/punk sound they had in the late 80's and "Halfway To Sanity" was one of my favs for a while.
you sound like youre sick is in my top 5 ramones songs...pleasant dreams was my first album i bought by them..first exposure too...then i heard the early albums...they are great
I've been a huge Ramones fan for years so it's hard for me to pick a favorite. RamonesMania was actually my introduction to the band but that's a compilation album. I think I'd agree with Marco and say either first album or Rocket to Russia. Subterranean Jungle was actually always one of my favorites. It's actually a prettt good album if you can get past the piss poor production.
@Martin Popoff I agree. They sound like a drum machine. Very flat and dead sounding.
Pleasant Dreams is a fantastic album! If it had been made by an unknown band it would be considered a classic. If it's too pop then I don't wanna be right. Or well. My favorite Ramones era is the 78-81 years and I'm not big on Too Tough to Die. Sitting in My Room is a great closer. The reissue CD has the best demos of the bunch. Plus, you get a look at the cool original cover with horror movie lettering. Good choice Martin!
There are no Ramones albums I dislike. Pleasant Dreams would be somewhere in the middle for me and I hate the cover art. Rocket to Russia, Ramones & Road to Ruin would be my top 3.
I love Pleasant Dreams. I think it's their last great album
Martin! You picked my favorite! Contrarian indeed.
This business is killing me.
Rocket to russia & Pleasant dreams are their best- No debate.
Too tough to die. Seen them on that tour. The Deluxe CD with the outatakes is great also. But now I want to revisit Pleasant Dreams. Great Show!
One of the greatest bands ever, I saw them live 5 times going back to Sub Jungle. All their 80s albums are grossly underated and Dee Dee was a great songwriter.
Martin, please consider writing a Damned book! Really enjoyed this episode.
Thank you!! We enjoyed filming it!
Ramones are like Cheap Trick in the sense that the first 3 or 4 albums are considered defined sound classics and the rest are looked down on, where those groups try different approaches and producers. Hard to choose favorites in The Ramones catalog cause there are the albums that are more classic punk, others more poppy, others more 60's, or more hardcore, or more metalish, so each of their albums have their charms. I really like Too Thought to Die and the next three a lot. Great idea to do some more punk books, could be about bands which sound timeless so that way maybe Pete Pardo's type "rockers" could get into punk lol. Apart from the Ramones I think The Damned and Bad Religion might have the best and more accessible discographies in punk overall. Also a Replacements/Husker Du/Sugar book or a Minor Threat/Rites of Spring/Fugazi book could be interesting.
Martin needs to write a Damned book, please...
So glad Martin is a Ramones fan.🙂🤘Ramones fuckin rule.First punk band,like Sabbath was the first metal band.Great vid.
Thank you!!
I only have the Ramones 2 CD Hey Ho Let’s Go Anthology as far as physical media goes, but the songs from this album that are on it I’ve always really liked. You’ve inspired me to give this one a listen, as if I needed that extra push. Thanks Martin.
“Pleasant Dreams” is an underrated album, but “Too Tough To Die” is my favorite Ramones album.
@Martin Popoff thanks. I think it’s because when “Too Tough To Die” came out, it was one of those albums that holds a lot of good memories for me, that was the first tour I saw them live and they played in this tiny club in Detroit called Todd’s, I never sweater so much at a show, I went with two good friends and we were drenched with sweat when we came out of that show, the hallway leavening the club was very narrow and I remember a bunch of people piling out o leave the club, one of my friends snatched a Ramones shirt that was stapled to the wall where their mercy table was before the show. You had discussed before about loving a certain album because you had to be there when it came out, that was one of those albums.
Wow, really enjoyed this episode! I don't know those early 80s Ramones albums, gonna do a "deep dive" right now. Thanks for always expanding my music knowledge! 😎
You’re welcome Jason glad you enjoyed it! To be honest this show is expanding my knowledge too!
I don't know The Ramones very well, but I enjoyed the episode and especially the point about "everyone knows the t-shirt"... It's amazing how some bands become totems of a certain subculture, and as such, become untouchable. I can envision a party where someone asserts they don't like this band, and others respond "who doesn't like The Ramones?" (even if they aren't that familiar with the music).
haha awesome! Thanks for the comment!! Glad you enjoyed it!
Hey! Ho! Let’s go! Great to see a show on the Ramones, a great punk band. BTW my favourites are End of the Century and Rocket to Russia.
Thank you!! We love the Ramones too!
This is going to sound horrible for me to say, I love the Ramones, but I have always found their compilations better than their actual albums. There are always good songs on each album, but I have never found a perfect traditional album from them.
the first record has a really good track list of songs!
Martin's Podcast brought me here. 🇧🇷
Yay! Thanks for coming!
I dont belive in that stories about stealing girlfriend . Rather is fight about money !
Lol you’re probably right!
Personally, I place Pleasant Dreams as THE WORST Ramones album of all time. No question. The production is fine, but the power of the mighty Ramones has been tamed here, instead concentrating on saccharin pop melodies. Too much Joey and not enough Johnny!
@Martin Popoff Really? I actually prefer Dee Dee's and CJ's vocals over Joey's (especially when he's crooning!). I guess that can be explained since I really love the hc stuff!
Worst?? Bullshit!!
I can't stop thinking what great music seals and crofts steely Dan put out in the 70s
they absolutely did, would be a good idea for an episode!
Indeed do you or have you done one on elvis
@@anthonybomberry9935 I absolutely love Elvis! We haven’t done one and it’s a bit intimidating because there’s so many albums but I wouldn’t be surprised if we did something down the road.
Yeah elvis is was quite a story
Hey hey, the Ramones! I saw them back on the Subterranean Jungle tour and they were just great! A friend of mine appears on the Joey Ramone solo album, and he appears on one of her singles, called "Punk Boy"; Do yourself a favor and do a TH-cam search for HELEN LOVE, who claims to have listened to nothing but Ramones albums when growing up. Check out her song "You Can't Beat a Boy Who Loves The Ramones" for some prime Gabba Gabba Hey!
My favorite Ramones album? IT'S ALIVE.
haha cool! Im Jealous you got to see them and I'll check out your friend!
1. Ramones
2. Leave Home
3. Road to Ruin
4. Mondo Bizarro
5. Subterranean Jungle
6. Adios Amigos!
7. End of the Century
8. Pleasant Dreams
9. Rocket to Russia
10. Too Tough to Die
I've been a big fan of Pleasant Dreams for a long time too. It's not my number one favourite Ramones album but I'd put it in my top five and I like it more than Leave Home and End of the Century. Leave Home has great songs but I prefer live versions of those songs, End of the Century has some good tracks but I prefer the demo versions on the Rhino reissue.
Totally agree on the demo versions of End of the Century. I would love hear this entire album remixed by Ed Stasium.
“Pleasant Dreams” is very pleasant in its form and style...in fact it's a little bit of everything - tired, unoriginal, unsure. Overproduction is still a huge issue here - making it by far the most sugary Ramones album. Joey's vocals do fit the songs and he saves this album from becoming anything really bad. The Ramones live (fortunately) was its own entity - full of nerve, thick and solid in sound and rhythm with their unfuckable stage presence and energy, so they were never going to fade away. So, while "Pleasant Dreams" wasn't going to make waves, plenty of fans were still going to go to their gigs to witness "You Didn't Mean Anything to Me" in a faster, tougher manner than this album presents.
This is actually one of favourite albums EVER! KKK, Airwaves, 9 -5, Sitting in my room,, Love the band. All the albums, well ok most of the albums lol. Got to work the last four studio releases for Canada. I have a thank you on Adios Amigos which always blows my mind. Thanks for this. Never saw the show until tonight. I do know Martin of course as he is a music writer and I worked publicity. Listening now to the Pleasant Dreams record, yes the record, after watching you guys. Miss their live shows, miss them all. God bless the Ramones.
Thank you very much of the comment 🙏 very cool that you are a part of the Ramones history! I’m jealous! Hope you enjoyed the show 😊
@@thecontrarians2438 Loved the show, especially because you love this album. Do write a book documenting the beginning of punk. If you need some research help I would be very interested. Oh have you heard this th-cam.com/video/-TwhP-8DwGU/w-d-xo.html Pleasant Dreams demo tape. after first song there is few minutes of break, same after 2nd, I think after the third it plays on. 2 songs that are not on this record. I love this. A new happy place for me. We are FB friends btw. Love the show, I subscribed. Look forward to more.
Thanks for the great show on a great band. Loved all their albums but Rocket to Russia is my personal fav.
1. Blitzkrieg Bop
2. Do you Remember Rock n Roll Radio
3. Beat on the brat
4. Judy is a punk
5. Suzy is a headbanger
6. Sheena is a punkrocker
7. I Wanne be sedated
8. Little bit o soul
9. Oh Oh I Love Her So
10. I Just Want to Have Something to do
Martin, Please write the Book about "WHO INVENTED PUNK". The topic makes for great Discussion & Debate. With Your Talent It would Be An instant Must Have for Anyone That Loves Music...Just Sayin.... BTW "Rocket to Russia" = my Fave Ramones...
Cool show guys! My favorite is "Road to Ruin" and the debut of course, an important album in music/punk history.
Another difference between Joey and Jonny was their political orientation - Joey was a left liberal with a Jewish background while Jonny was, as mentioned by Martin, right wing and had a nostalgia for Nazi symbols and memorabilia. It's unbelievable the band lasted so long, since these differences existed more or less from the beginning. And then - the KKK took my baby away ...
Thanks for the comment! My wife met Marky Ramone and got the Road to Ruin LP autographed by him, I like that one a lot too!
@@thecontrarians2438 Cool! It was Marky's first album with them. So sad, Marky is the only remaining member alive from the early period.
I've always loved Pleasant Dreams. I would rank it my 5th favorite after the first 4. The only song I'm not crazy about is "It's Not My Place" but I still like the song.
FUN FACT: Russell Mael from the band Sparks does some backup vocals on Pleasant Dreams.
Big regret not seeing them on the Lollapalooza tour 96. I was too much a snob to go to the one where Load-era Metallica headlined. Really kicking myself now. Went through a phase where I constantly went to shows to make up for a few really good ones I missed/didn't appreciate back then. 🙁
We Want The Airwaves! is one of my favourite Ramones songs. I think that Too Tough To Die is very underrated. Side One is very punky and every song is reallly great. Mama's Boy, I'm Not Afraid Of Life, the title song, Wart Hog, Danger Zone all kick ass, and the poppier numbers Chasing The Night and Howling At The Moon are nice as well. Side Two is good as well. I love this album! It's my favourite Ramones album.
Interesting. I love the first 3 Ramones albums and a few songs off the fourth. Don't like anything after that.
This episode made me pull out the lp. I disagree with Martin but as usual I have to admire his case.
agreed!
This is one of my favorite Ramones albums. I love the romantic songs the most
Rocket to Russia for me, especially the expanded CD version with the extra cuts. But this episode really made me want to give Pleasant Dreams another listen. Great stuff as always, guys!
Thank you!! Ya I’m pretty in line with the general consensus on this one
It’s amazing how Ramones had so many great songs for a band that actually didn’t get along. “End of the Century” was my first Ramones album, but I think I’d go with “Ramones” as my top pick.
Agreed!!
One of my favorite bands and the reason I decided to play guitar way back in the early eighties. Pleasant Dreams is an overlooked album. It's so good. I actually love Graham's production. My favorite has to be "Rocket To Russia", though I love "Animal Boy" as well. There's not an album that I dislike. "Adios Amigos" is rough, but I'd never turn it off.
thank you for the comment and I pretty much agree 💯
Nerds.
Takes one to know one!
Fyou shernwould
Not a single gold album that’s crazy for such a great band imo
Tell me about it!! But I actually think the first record was gold and they had a couple of gold singles, and I wanna be sedated was platinum! I also think there’s a compilation album that was gold too. Not bad still!
Ramones and Ramonesmania went gold in usa. Mondo bizarro and Avid eaters in Brazil and Argentina. Road to ruin is their biggest seller worldwide , over 3 million. It only sold 250000 copies 1978 ...
Never got The Ramones, can't see what all the fuss is about.
That's sad.....& kinda pathetic.🛴
I've always thought that pleasant dreams is a sad and dissapointing album. The cynical album title , the weird cover , the soft and polished production. Their record company saw them as a failure and forced them to work with Gouldman who was supossed to bring out 'song sensebility' instead of 'high energy'. Ramones felt humiliated and didn't communicate with each other and that's reflected in the music and lyrics. There's a handful excellent songs , though ... With an edgy tommy ramone/ed stasium production and some real punk songs , it could have been great album
Great points! Thanks for commenting I can totally see where you are coming from.
I loved Come On Now ! They were really great live on this tour. One of My favorite Ramones live bootlegs is from this tour. No way I could ever say this is the best Ramones album. But since I pretty much love em all for different reasons. I dig it quite a bit. For Me My favorite Ramones album. Will always be Its Alive after that I'd go with Rocket To Russia. I gotta say I loved End Of The Century and most don't. Some days I might say Leave Home & the first album are the best. I'm really big on Animal Boy too.