The fiery, relentless power of the Ramones – the quartet who laid the blueprint for punk rock – is best captured in their immortal discography. Originating from Forest Hills, Queens, these leather-clad renegades gave the world an audacious sonic assault, with records that resounded on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond. This ragtag group of mavericks, self-confessed “brothers” – Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Tommy – left an indelible mark on rock music, their songs blistering with raw energy, amplified rebellion and coarse lyricism.
Notable albums like “Rocket to Russia” demonstrate their knack for crafting punk anthems that would rumble in the ears of rock lovers for generations. Live spectacles like “It’s Alive”, teem with the Ramones’ unruly energy, echoing through each live riff and rebellious yelp. Their other works including the hard-hitting “Too Tough to Die”, the gritty “Road to Ruin” in multiple versions, and the defiantly vibrant “Animal Boy” exemplify their unique blend of raw punk ethos and pop sensibilities. Not to forget their self-titled debut record “Ramones,” which with its tight, fast, and catchy tunes, became a seminal piece of punk history.
Their legacy extends to albums released in their twilight years as well. Records like “Mondo Bizarro,” “Adios Amigos,” and the intriguingly titled “Acid Eaters” portray a band that, although frayed by time, refused to let up on their thunderous sound. Each record in their 22-year career was a page in the grand odyssey of the Ramones, from their exhilarating rise, through internal strife and external battles, to their eventual disbandment and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
So let’s get into it. From their self-titled blitzkrieg to the poignant farewell of “Adios Amigos,” here are all the Ramones albums ranked.
16. Too Tough to Die
Released: 1984
Label: Rhino/Warner Records
This record has the good old Queens boys back in their alley – loud, aggressive, and a sucker punch to the gut. With original drummer Tommy Ramone back on the production helm and the addition of the ferocious Ritchie Ramone, it’s the sound of a band reborn in its original, leather-jacketed, blitzkrieg punk image. Highlights include the ruthlessly catchy “Wart Hog” and the titular track “Too Tough to Die,” showcasing Joey Ramone’s knack for combining grit with melody. This album is the Ramones’ scrappy, fierce declaration that punk’s not dead, not by a long shot. For all the punk rock purists out there, “Too Tough to Die” is a testament that these streetwise punks from Queens were far from down and out.
15. Acid Eaters
Released: 1993
Label: Radioactive Records 40%
Released in 1993, this is the boys from Forest Hills going rogue from their blistering punk anthems, laying their hands on psychedelic rock classics. It’s a tribute album to the ’60s giants, with covers of The Who, The Rolling Stones, and The Animals, amongst others, all given the unmistakable Ramones treatment. And let me tell you, the result is one wild ride. The songs bristle with anarchy, yet resonate with nostalgia. While the album may seem like a creative misfire to some die-hard Ramones fans, it’s an audacious experiment, sliding on some tie-dye and bringing 60s psychedelia into the gritty NYC punk scene. It’s Joey, Johnny, CJ, and Marky ramming their punk ethos into yesteryears’ hits, making “Acid Eaters” a curiously delightful oddball in the Ramones’ staunchly punk catalogue. Can you tell ‘Substitute’ from ‘Surf City’? Dive into the rabbit hole and find out!
14. Adios Amigos
Released: 1995
Label: Radioactive
And while its title means ‘goodbye friends’, the Ramones went out guns blazing, not quietly into the night. The album leans heavier on the surf-rock influences that earlier tracks like “Rockaway Beach” hinted at but doesn’t shirk from their signature buzzsaw punk either. Leading the charge is “I Don’t Want To Grow Up,” a cover of Tom Waits, meshing his growling lament on adulthood with the Ramones’ bristling energy. While the likes of “Life’s A Gas” and “Born to Die in Berlin” might not reach the dizzying heights of their ’70s classics, they’re still quintessential Ramones — raw, direct, and relentless. Is it their strongest album? No. But ‘Adios Amigos’ stands as a robust reminder of their undying spirit and their unwavering loyalty to the punk rock cause.
13. Mondo Bizarro
Released: 1992
Label: Radioactive Records 40%
Named after a 1966’s sci-fi flick, the album marks the debut of their new drummer, Marc Bell a.k.a. Marky Ramone. Kicking off with “Censorshit,” a pointed jab at Tipper Gore’s PMRC, it’s clear the Ramones were firing on all cylinders. Songs like “The Job That Ate My Brain” showcases their age-old knack for marrying peppy punk melodies with unabashedly gloomy lyrics. A standout cut is their cover of the Doors’ “Take It as It Comes,” showcasing the band’s ability to crossover to non-punk territory with commendable ease. The album treaded murky waters commercially, yet it deserves kudos for continuing to wave the punk flag high when grunge was rearing its head. “Mondo Bizarro” is a testament to the Ramones’ tenacity, defying trends and continuing to deliver that quintessential Queens-bred punk sound.
12. Subterranean Jungle
Released: 1983
Label: Rhino/Warner Records
This 2005 remastered edition douses these tracks in a refreshing sonic sheen, faithfully reproducing da Brudders’ unvarnished punk anthems. The album opens with “Little Bit O’ Soul,” a cover that screams classic Ramones irreverence. “Time Has Come Today,” the longest song they ever recorded, is a gem, with Joey Ramone’s vocal acrobatics and Johnny Ramone’s frantic guitar strums intertwining in an epic rock spectacle. The band’s shift towards a more produced sound was controversial, but tracks like “Outsider” and “Somebody Like Me” show their punk ethos was alive and kicking. Did the album completely adhere to punk norms? Hell no. But the Ramones weren’t about convention. “Subterranean Jungle” laid bare their willingness to experiment, to push boundaries – because that’s punk rock, baby. The record remains an essential chapter in the depths of the band’s chaotic, audacious journey.
11. Too Tough to Die
Released: 1984
Label: Rhino/Warner Records
The Ramones reunited with their first producer, Tommy Ramone, resulting in a denser sound more akin to their initial burst of albums. The title track is a defiant anthem, and “The KKK Took My Baby Away” is a legendary slice of their sprawling urban mythology. The 2005 Expanded Remaster offers a buffet of bonus goodies, including sickeningly raw demos that make The Sex Pistols sound polished! This album is crucial because it underscores the Ramones’ stubborn persistence amidst a sea of hair metal and synthesizers. It also foreshadows the hardcore punk movement they helped inspire, making it a must-have for perceptive punk rock aficionados, rambling Ramones disciples, and disciples of unfiltered, unpretentious rock ‘n’ roll. Their enduring spirit blasts through the speakers, screaming, “We’re the Ramones, and we’re too tough to die!” Pure, undiluted, stubborn-as-hell rock.
10. Leave Home
Released: 1977
Label: Rhino/Warner Records
Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Tommy took no prisoners, delivering quick-fire anthems that made your heart pump gasoline and your feet ignite with the vigorous need to pogo. Remember “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment,” a two-minute punk sledgehammer, or “Carbona Not Glue,” an ode to sniffing glue that was later removed, due to a copyright claim from Carbona. The 2017 remaster elevates the raw edge to aural nirvana, capturing the rough-and-tumble essence of the boys from the Bowery. Numbers like “Commando” underscored their social commentary, while the poignant “You’re Gonna Kill That Girl” demonstrated their knack for pop balladry. “Leave Home” solidified their status as punk innovators, bolstering the Ramones’ indelible impact on rock ‘n’ roll history.
9. Halfway to Sanity
Released: 1987
Label: Rhino/Warner Records
The Ramones refuse to flinch in this album where they solidified their DIY punk ethos, and “Go Lil’ Camaro Go” and “I Wanna Live” scream defiance at a world that was leaving raw, basement-born rock behind. Yet there’s a palpable sense of despair and disillusionment in tracks like “I Lost My Mind” and “Bop ‘Til You Drop”. It’s like they’re straddling two worlds – the insanity of the evolving rock music landscape, and the sanity of their leather-jacketed punk roots. This dichotomy became the album’s strength, playing like a desperate, drunken love letter to the raucous roots of rock ‘n’ roll. Unapologetically rough around the edges and teetering on the precipice of disorder, “Halfway to Sanity” is a statement of survival, showcasing the Ramones’ tenacity to stick with their stripped-down sonic identity.
8. Pleasant Dreams
Released: 1981
Label: Rhino/Warner Records
Released in 1981, this sixth studio record sees Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee, and Marky delving into deeper waters lyrically and sonically. With a new producer at the helm, the legendary Graham Gouldman of 10cc fame, this album hits you with the anthemic “We Want the Airwaves” and the tongue-in-cheek nihilism of “The KKK Took My Baby Away.” Heavier topics are also explored, such as in “Don’t Go,” a poignant digression into mental illness. In this Expanded 2005 Remaster, bonus cuts like “Come On Now” and “I Can’t Get You Out of My Mind” make appearances, ramping up its punk appeal. Although it didn’t climb the charts like its predecessors, “Pleasant Dreams” stamps the Ramones’ indelible mark on the ever-evolving canvas of rock music.
7. Animal Boy
Released: 1986
Label: Rhino/Warner Records
Released in 1986, this album finds the band exploring darker and more complex themes compared to their earlier work. The title track is a visceral critique of Reagan-era politics, while “Somebody Put Something in My Drink” evolves the group’s sound and lyrical focus with its commentary on substance abuse. Infused with a heavier bassline and elements of hardcore punk, the album struck a nerve by juxtaposing its upbeat, melodic hooks with biting social commentary. Although it didn’t make significant waves commercially, “Animal Boy” was a daringly progressive album showing the band’s ferocious refusal to stagnate, at a point when most of their punk contemporaries had either disbanded or diluted their sound. While this album may have alienated some of the band’s early fans, it was a clear proclamation that the Ramones were not just leather-clad misfits, but versatile musicians capable of evolving their craft.
6. Leave Home
Released: 1977
Label: Rhino/Warner Records
While many still nursed their hangover from “Ramones”, the New York City quartet chose not to rest on their laurels. They blazed into the recording studio to create another lightning-fast sonic assault, reaffirming their unrelenting revolution against bloated, pretentious ’70s arena rock. “Leave Home” features the seminal gems “Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment”, “Pinhead”, and “Suzy is a Headbanger.” In the 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, you are lavished with revelatory mixes, rare single versions, and a previously unreleased live concert from ’77 – pure punk gold, making it a treasure trove of Ramones’ legacy. Sure, it didn’t scale the sales charts high enough, but it damn sure left an indelible imprint on punk rock, signaling the birth of a new era. Time hasn’t withered “Leave Home’s” impact – it remains a visceral testament to the power and vitality of Ramones’ music.
5. Brain Drain
Released: 1989
Label: Rhino/Warner Records
It saw the band returning to the simplicity of their earlier work, but with a decidedly darker, heavier edge. Boasting the monster tune, “Pet Sematary,” written for Stephen King’s horror flick, the album reached a bit into the mainstream consciousness, proving that Ramones hadn’t lost their knack for infectious rock anthems. However, internal band turmoil nearly overshadowed the album’s worth – it saw the exit of the indomitable Dee Dee Ramone, signifying an end of an era. Produced by Bill Laswell and Daniel Rey, “Brain Drain” combined Mars-like drumming and chain-saw guitars with the group’s trademark harmonies, juxtaposing pop sensibility with brute force. It might not be their most revered record, but it’s an integral pillar in the Ramones’ discography, demonstrating their tenacity as a band and their unwillingness to shy away from a gnarlier edge.
4. End of the Century
Released: 1980
Label: Rhino/Warner Records
The expanded 2005 remaster provides an even more robust testament to its emboldened audacity. Graced by the production magic of legendary Phil Spector, the album interpolated the band’s razor-edged punk attitude with a sheen of almost-pop polish. It’s in tracks like “Do You Remember Rock ‘n’ Roll Radio?” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” where this synergy shines brightest, with the glammed-up sound surprisingly amplifying the Ramones’ delectable rebelliousness. The album breaks tradition, with the ’60s girl-group cover “Baby, I Love You” charting the highest for the band in the UK, a clear departure from their earlier, grittier punk anthems. The expanded edition offers dizzying outtakes, unreleased versions, and additional artwork, giving an unfiltered view of an era-defining band grappling with mainstream success. An audacious move but make no mistake, it’s still distilled Ramones at its core.
3. Rocket to Russia
Released: 1977
Label: Rhino/Warner Records
This album showcases the band’s penchant for terse, energetic tunes replete with raw, unadulterated power. Tracks like “Rockaway Beach” and “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker” propelled the Ramones into the mainstream consciousness, and the album itself sits comfortably as one of the keystones of punk rock. The 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition does a smashing job of sweetening the pot – not only do you get the original album, but also a new mix, the single edits, and a sparkling live set from a ’77 gig. Unsurprisingly, the sales didn’t go through the roof, but let’s face it, Ramones were never about going platinum. “Rocket to Russia” painted in bold strokes and clear lines the ethos of punk rock, deeply influencing countless bands in the genre’s subsequent evolution.
2. Road to Ruin
Released: 1978
Label: Rhino/Warner Records
An absolute classic that encapsulates a broader musical palette with tracks like “I Wanna Be Sedated” and “Questioningly” – the latter being perhaps the most poignant ballad the Ramones ever penned. The expanded edition includes a remastered mix of the original album, a new mix, a treasure trove of unreleased recordings, and the infamous, unreleased punk-era concert “Live at The Palladium”. The release is a testament to the band’s indelible mark on rock music history. For the hardcore Ramones fan, it’s an absolute goldmine; for the newcomer, it’s an insightful delve into the depth, diversity, and sheer brilliance of a band at the vanguard of punk rock.
1. Ramones
Released: 1976
Label: Rhino/Warner Records
It hit the mid-’70s music scene like a sledgehammer, shattering the complacency of the era’s rock music. This 2016 remaster, celebrating the album’s 40th anniversary, is a bracing reminder – the Ramones’ explosive entrance into the rock milieu. Crafted in a mere seven days and twenty-nine minutes, the album’s brief, blistering tracks like “Blitzkrieg Bop” and “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend” brandished the punk aesthetic with an irreverent, unfettered glee. Each song is a distilled gut-punch of rock-and-roll essence, embodying the band’s pioneering “short, fast, and loud” ethos. The deluxe edition elevates the raw energy with remastered sound and unreleased demos, offering a deeper insight into the Ramones’ groundbreaking genius. It also includes an extensive book and a thrilling live set from ’76, encapsulating the band’s incendiary early spirit. In short, it’s a vibrant, visceral testament to the band that put CBGB’s and punk rock on the map.
