I discovered this album way late. It's my favorite 80s era Ramones album for sure. "Somebody Like Me" is my favorite track even though it's totally riffing on a slow tempo "Blitzkreig Bop" haha. It's like come on man.
1) I agree on the guitar sound (Joan Jett records provided the template). I think that you are overlooking the drum sound. Frankly, it is difficult to get over the first two songs (it even sounds like there is a drum machine). Even the originals of the cover songs sound tougher! (and the demos in the special edition too). And it is no coincidence that the best drum sound is found on the Billy Rogers track (maybe the producers' asistant forgot to use the same settings used for Marky's).
2) I do not agree on the quality of material. If "Too Tough to Die" is uneven, well, so is "Subterranean Jungle". Yes, the two songs you mention should have been shorter with better use of synths, but they still stand.
3) In a way, Cordell and Kolotkin (with Conte) were ideal since they had their bubblegum credentials (to care for the pop sound - Joey -) and the guitar sound (Joan Jett - to care for Johnny and Dee Dee).
4) Joey is in top form, since he is on a roll from Spector and Gouldman, who IMHO helped him to take his game to a new level. Cordell and Kolotkin got an energized and craftier Joey.
5) On the covers, well, I think that all of them could have easily taken the place of some of the "Acid Eaters" selection. Thank you for making me appreciate "I Need Your Love". For me, the best cover is "Indian Giver", which I discovered in "Ramones Mania", fell in love with it (even without understanding what an Indian Giver is) and made me increase my appreciation for bubblegum pop. "Time Has Come Today" is good, but "Indian Giver" is perfect. Why the producers get the opportunity to have one of their songs in the album and finally the song is rejected? Royalties?
6) And, now, here is my bold statement. "Pleasant Dreams" is at least equal to "Subterranean Jungle". Gouldman made it sound great, he was the best at putting keyboards in a Ramones record, got a lot a good songs from Joey, has the perfect closing song for a Ramones record ("Sitting in my Room"), there are more good songs here compared to both "Subterranean..." and "Too Tough.." And if you say that it is too pop, that Joey's songs sound the same,... Remember, it is the first Ramones record with no covers.
Thank you for the article! You made me listen to "Subterranean..." with more attention and I enjoy it more.
I discovered this album way late. It's my favorite 80s era Ramones album for sure. "Somebody Like Me" is my favorite track even though it's totally riffing on a slow tempo "Blitzkreig Bop" haha. It's like come on man.
Haha yeah, they weren't even trying to fool anyone there!
“Ah hope yuh parenth unduh-THTAAAAND”
A great piece, and here are my six cents on it:
1) I agree on the guitar sound (Joan Jett records provided the template). I think that you are overlooking the drum sound. Frankly, it is difficult to get over the first two songs (it even sounds like there is a drum machine). Even the originals of the cover songs sound tougher! (and the demos in the special edition too). And it is no coincidence that the best drum sound is found on the Billy Rogers track (maybe the producers' asistant forgot to use the same settings used for Marky's).
2) I do not agree on the quality of material. If "Too Tough to Die" is uneven, well, so is "Subterranean Jungle". Yes, the two songs you mention should have been shorter with better use of synths, but they still stand.
3) In a way, Cordell and Kolotkin (with Conte) were ideal since they had their bubblegum credentials (to care for the pop sound - Joey -) and the guitar sound (Joan Jett - to care for Johnny and Dee Dee).
4) Joey is in top form, since he is on a roll from Spector and Gouldman, who IMHO helped him to take his game to a new level. Cordell and Kolotkin got an energized and craftier Joey.
5) On the covers, well, I think that all of them could have easily taken the place of some of the "Acid Eaters" selection. Thank you for making me appreciate "I Need Your Love". For me, the best cover is "Indian Giver", which I discovered in "Ramones Mania", fell in love with it (even without understanding what an Indian Giver is) and made me increase my appreciation for bubblegum pop. "Time Has Come Today" is good, but "Indian Giver" is perfect. Why the producers get the opportunity to have one of their songs in the album and finally the song is rejected? Royalties?
6) And, now, here is my bold statement. "Pleasant Dreams" is at least equal to "Subterranean Jungle". Gouldman made it sound great, he was the best at putting keyboards in a Ramones record, got a lot a good songs from Joey, has the perfect closing song for a Ramones record ("Sitting in my Room"), there are more good songs here compared to both "Subterranean..." and "Too Tough.." And if you say that it is too pop, that Joey's songs sound the same,... Remember, it is the first Ramones record with no covers.
Thank you for the article! You made me listen to "Subterranean..." with more attention and I enjoy it more.
Steve, this comment got me "psychedelicized"!! Yeah, great connections. Thanks for reading!