THE RAMONES
Pleasant Dreams (Sire/Rhino)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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No, this 1981 album is not like those explosive, early Ramones releases, but it's hard to hate. It could have been a lot ballsier, had former drummer Tommy Erdelyi produced instead of 10cc popmeister Graham Gouldman, but Gouldman it was, and with predictable results. The extra-poppy Ramones record was much maligned for not beating on any brats, but there were two problems with the complaints. First, if the detractors would have shut the hell up and listened they would have found a record that kicked the crap out of most of what was coming out in 1981, and second, in retrospect we should all be able to agree that "You Sound Like You're Sick" and "The KKK Took My Baby Away" are classic Ramones tunes. Rhino's reissue includes seven bonus tracks, mostly demos and alternate takes, all of which are at least listenable and sometimes even entertaining. The highlight among these is "Chop Suey," a cool rocker featuring background vocals by B52s girls Cindy Wilson and Kate Pierson. Worthwhile.

© 2002 - DJ Johnson