Ramones – Greatest Hits (Rhino)
The seminal punk band Ramones celebrated their 50th anniversary as a band in 2024. Rhino Records has been honoring the band throughout the year with special releases and on Record Store Day Black Friday, the label released the Ramones’ Greatest Hits compilation for the very first time on vinyl. Originally released in 2006, Greatest Hits has been pressed onto translucent red vinyl and features 20 fan favorite songs including, “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “Pinhead,” “Teenage Lobotomy,” “Judy Is A Punk,” “Pet Sematary” and “Sheena Is A Punk Rocker.”
The Ramones formed in 1974 in New York City and were highly-influential with both their sound and their look. Led by the towering frontman Joey Ramone along with Johnny, Dee Dee and Tommy with their trademark jeans and black motorcycle jackets; the band created a fresh new sound with songs that were short and simplistic and that honored the sock-hopping rock and roll of the 50’s and the Beatles but with a sneering punk rock attitude. While not instant mainstream hits at the time, the music of the Ramones became cult classics and nowadays, songs such as the stadium-sized “Blitzkrieg Bop,” the punk rock anthem “I Wanna Be Sedated” and the retro-soaked “Rock ‘N’ Roll High School” are nearly ubiquitous.
Sadly, all four original members of the Ramones have passed away but this great sounding new vinyl pressing of their Greatest Hits is the perfect introduction for future “Judys, Sheenas and Rock ‘N’ Roll High Schoolers.” —Justin Kreitzer for Icon Fetch