Pleasant Dreams
Monday, 27 April 2009 08:02 | 
Author: The Grouch | 
The Ramones were one of the early Punk bands. The music is very simple and on this album actually melodic. This album is basically a nod to OLD rock and roll, similar to the Jersey Boys. That hallmark Punk sense of humor is present though as seen in the track The KKK Took My Baby Away.
Before anyone has a Politically Correct fit - they are mocking the Klan - other deep issues such as Ronald Regan visiting Bitburg the resting place of SS war criminals are also raged against in songs such as Bonzo Goes To Bitburg from the album Animal Boy. The devastating effects of Heroin addiction in the song Chinese Rock from the album End of the Century is as poignant as it is rocking.
Punk rock may be simple but that does not mean all Punk musicians are simple minded. Gabe O the Mexican Biker Elf who comes bearing the gift of music once said "Punk is like comedy, everyone loves comedy and tries to be funny but only the really good artists pull it off and make it look easy. The Ramones pull it off and make it look easy.
Pleasant Dreams is the sixth album by the American punk rock band Ramones. It was released in 1981 (see 1981 in music) by Sire Records. Pleasant Dreams reached #58 on the US Billboard album charts. It was frowned upon by guitarist Johnny Ramone because to him it sounded "too slick" and is generally viewed as part of the Ramones' pop experimentation.
Having said that - I really like this album. I almost feel bad that I like it so much, but I do. I don't know what was going on between Johnny and Joey, but it must have been tense and colored Johnny's feelings about the songs on this album.
- "We Want the Airwaves" (Joey Ramone) – 3:22 - My favorite is track. I really like the drums and his guitar rocks.
- "All's Quiet on the Eastern Front" (Dee Dee Ramone) – 2:14 - Classic punk beat and noisy guitars abound.
- "The KKK Took My Baby Away" (Joey Ramone) – 2:32 - I love this song. She went away for the holidays said she was going to LA - She never got back. Its a love song really albeit a black leather love song.
- "Don't Go" (Joey Ramone) – 2:48 - Doo Wop, but louder. Check out the backing vocals.
- "You Sound Like You're Sick" (Dee Dee Ramone) – 2:42 -BLAST - The garage door flies up. Loud and simple, but with good voices.
- "It's Not My Place (In the 9 to 5 World)" (Joey Ramone) – 3:24 - With drums that sound like the Doors and a chorus of It's not my place - oh no - in the 9 to 5 world - you can't miss - this song is great. Its such a perky way to scream I don't fit in!
- "She's a Sensation" (Joey Ramone) – 3:29 - Electric Doo Wop with really cool drums.
- "7-11" (Joey Ramone) – 3:38 - Like a hard edged 50s song except he met his girl in the 7-11 standing by the Space Invaders game.
- "You Didn't Mean Anything to Me" (Dee Dee Ramone) – 3:00 - Fast - Noisy with heavy bass and guitar as Dee reads some chick the riot act.
- "Come On Now" (Dee Dee Ramone) – 2:33 - I like the drums a lot. It's an infectious little song. Nice guitar solo as the drums pound that old school Punk beat - which is all a foundation for odd melodic singing.
- "This Business Is Killing Me" (Joey Ramone) – 2:41 - Great intro! More catchy Doo Wop influenced crooning about how much the music business sucks. I really like the fills that lead into cymbal slams in the middle of the song.
- "Sitting in My Room" (Dee Dee Ramone) – 2:30 - Great song - I love the guitar. A pissed off outsider sitting in his room - sometimes you just have to scream.
2002 Expanded Edition CD (Warner Archives/Rhino) bonus tracks
- "Touring (1981 version)" (Joey Ramone) – 2:49 - Nice drums - taking the piss out of the Beach Boys in this alternative version of Rock and Roll Radio.
- "I Can't Get You Out of My Mind" (Ramones) – 3:24 - Straight forward jam - they really were a much better band than they got credit for.
- "Chop Suey (Alternate Version)" (Joey Ramone) – 3:32 - The Ramones sound like they are doing the Go-Gos.
- "Sleeping Troubles (Demo)" (Ramones) – 2:07 - Good song.
- "Kicks to Try (Demo)" (Ramones) – 2:09 - Heavy guitar - I dig it.
- "I'm Not an Answer (Demo)" (Ramones) – 2:55 - They sound like they were having a lot of fun on this one.
- "Stares in This Town (Demo)" (Ramones) – 2:26 - I'm not sure how I feel about this song. Its actually lacking energy.
The bottom line? Despite how Johnny Ramone felt about this record I like it a lot. The original 12 tracks get a 5 out of 5 scowls. The seven bonus tracks range from really good to a bit lame, but hey they are bonus tracks and four of them were Demos at that.
If you do not have this album I highly recommend you get a copy.
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Last Updated (Monday, 27 April 2009 15:29)