SpenniesThe Ramones - Pleasant Dreams
June 26th 2006 01:49
THE RAMONES
Pleasant Dreams (1981)
Sire Records
Produced by Graham Gouldman
Link to Amazon w/ audio samples
This is The Ramones 6th album, the follow-up to their ill fabled 'End of the Century', and while it is heavily melodic and poppy, is a return to their punk rock roots from the Phil Spector produced EOTC, which featured ballads and a more rock sound. Aside from the opening track "We Want the Airwaves" - a song that has almost gothic undertones and more of a new-wave feel - the album is straight-up Ramones punk rock, with more of a slicker production than their earlier records. I think it sounds just fine.
Despite not really attaining any mainstream attention with this album (did they ever?), it yields some very popular songs such as "The KKK Took My Baby Away" "All's Quiet on the Eastern Front" and "She's a Sensation." The tunes on the record are very consistent, and at times a little repetitive, but hey - The Ramones were never about diversity, so you're expecting anything other than recycled harmonies and chord progressions then you're definitely barking up the wrong tree.
If you listen to the record from start to finish, the songs kind of start to blend in together unless you know it back to front. There's a few under-rated songs towards the end such as "You Didn't Mean Anything To Me" which has a bit more of an interesting feel in terms of melodies and chord progressions. I'm not sure exactly what it is, I just like it a lot! I think one thing that let's the album down a little is the overly simplistic lyrics, which at times feel like there is not much thought at all that has gone into it. Again though, that is something that is just what you expect from the Ramones. I don't know about anyone else, but I definitely don't listen to the band for lyrical genius.
The album is definitely not as frantic and desperate as their first few releases - it's slower and cruisier and definitely has a pop element that runs the whole way through. That said though, it is still a very enjoyable listen that's easy to get into and dare I say, a little brainless. As far as The Ramones catalogue goes, there are definitely some classic tunes that spawned from Pleasant Dreams - maybe not as many as other albums, but it's still a lot of fun to put on and sing along to.
I guess with The Ramones, everybody knows them and what they sound like. They don't tread any new ground with Pleasant Dreams, but if you like the band then there's no reason you won't like this. If you don't like the band, then I probably wouldn't bother.
Also, there is a re-release of the record from 2002 which features digital remastering and 7 bonus demo tracks. Alas, I don't have this version.
Pleasant Dreams (1981)
Sire Records
Produced by Graham Gouldman
Link to Amazon w/ audio samples
Despite not really attaining any mainstream attention with this album (did they ever?), it yields some very popular songs such as "The KKK Took My Baby Away" "All's Quiet on the Eastern Front" and "She's a Sensation." The tunes on the record are very consistent, and at times a little repetitive, but hey - The Ramones were never about diversity, so you're expecting anything other than recycled harmonies and chord progressions then you're definitely barking up the wrong tree.
The album is definitely not as frantic and desperate as their first few releases - it's slower and cruisier and definitely has a pop element that runs the whole way through. That said though, it is still a very enjoyable listen that's easy to get into and dare I say, a little brainless. As far as The Ramones catalogue goes, there are definitely some classic tunes that spawned from Pleasant Dreams - maybe not as many as other albums, but it's still a lot of fun to put on and sing along to.
I guess with The Ramones, everybody knows them and what they sound like. They don't tread any new ground with Pleasant Dreams, but if you like the band then there's no reason you won't like this. If you don't like the band, then I probably wouldn't bother.
Also, there is a re-release of the record from 2002 which features digital remastering and 7 bonus demo tracks. Alas, I don't have this version.
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