STACK #158 Dec 2017

MUSIC FEATURE

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RAMONES & THE ROLLING STONES This month, two all-time iconic groups have special releases out: it’s the 40th anniversary of Ramones’ Rocket To Russia , for whichWarner are re-releasing a remastered edition; andThe Rolling Stones gift us On Air , a collection of early, rare, BBC radio recordings. Have a look over your back-cats for both and identify any gaps you need to fill, as Graham Reid takes us through the cornerstones of these remarkable recording careers.

Hey! Ho! Let’s go! Here are the key albums by the band that wasThe Beatles for brats – NewYork’s classic punk-pop group known for their “1-2- 3-4” no-mucking-about performances and memorable, economic songs. RAMONES

1977, this release captured them at their

it didn’t do as well as it should have. That became the Ramones story: critical acclaim but no chart gain. Rocket To Russia (1977) The third essential aslbum in a row Lobotomy, I Can’t Give You Anything alongside ‘50s covers Do You Wanna Dance? and Surfin’ Bird ) but again, disappointing sales. It looked like their career might be as short as their songs, but they soldiered on for almost two decades, mostly to diminishing sales and song quality returns. It’s Alive (1979) Recorded live in London on December 31, ( Rockaway Speed, Sheena Is A Punk Rocker, Teenage

peak. The setlist drew on cornerstone songs from those first three albums, and they set a land- speed record delivering them: 28 songs in 54 minutes. One of the classic live albums. And also… Yes, you can cheat because the 99 double-

CD set Hey Ho Let’s Go!: The Anthology scooped up 58 songs (all their classics) from right across their career.

Ramones (1976) In an iconic street-punk cover (get it on vinyl so you can frame it) the group delivered a classic debut which in places sounded like The Beach Boys on speed

It confirmed the band were smarter than they looked and deserved better in their era than they got. One of the truly great rock’n’roll bands, and – just like the young Beatles – they had a band uniform. How could they not succeed?

– 14 songs in less than 30 minutes – and forged their love of ‘60s girl groups, flat-tack rock’n’roll and a view from the glue-sniffin’ comers of NewYork in the damaged and dangerous ‘70s. Bottled electrotherapy punk- pop… and the 40th anniversary deluxe edition comes as three CDs (remastered stereo and mono mixes, outtakes, demos and live material) and the vinyl. Leave Home (1976) Again chock-full of

classic songs and riffs ( Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment , I Remember You , Carbona Not Glue , Suzy Is A Headbanger, California Sun ) but again

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DECEMBER 2017

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