Search - Ramones :: Loco Live

Ramones cover their own songs on Loco Live.

EAKlein27 | WI USA | 03/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even if you are a newcomer to the world of punk rock, you must be aware of the punk tradition of covering songs that came before...sometimes even decades before the current band re-recorded them. The new version is often harder, or faster than the original, and of course contains the new band's particular characteristics of style. Loco Live is an album of covers. The amazing thing is that the covers are done by the same band that did the originals--the ineffable RAMONES.



This album contains 32 of their best songs in all of their "live" glory. This record is unique in the fact that these are songs that you may have listened to for years, but you have never heard them quite like this. Recorded late in their career, Loco Live was an answer to those critics who had declared the RAMONES to be decrepit old men who gave what they could to Rock and Roll, but should now stand back and watch as a younger generation took over. The RAMONES refused, and rocked out this album in response.



I call this an album of covers because these songs are vastly different from their original recordings. Joey is at his bird-like best. So much so that at times he simply neglects the words in favor of whatever melodic throaty sound he can produce. Most of the time you simply can not understand him, unless you know the words by heart. For example, on Ignorance is Bliss, it sounds like he's saying "aneurysm" instead of ignorance is bliss. The words come out so quickly and with such a snarl, that it's almost incomprehensible. This record is faster, harder, and angrier than anything else the RAMONES put out, and that makes it a punk rock classic.



The only caution I have is directed toward the newcomer to the RAMONES music legacy. In order to fully appreciate this record, you need to know the words to these songs. (Much in the same way that you need to know the right lyrics to appreciate The Parasites cover of "It's Alive" where they sing the wrong lyrics as printed in the original liner notes released in Japan!) Anyway...if you don't know these songs, I recommend that you buy some collection of the RAMONES like "All the Stuff and More" or "Loud, Fast, RAMONES" or "Hey Ho, Let's Go Anthology" to get your bearings, and then throw caution to the wind with Loco Live.



This record rocks from beginning to end. Put it in and watch it burn a hole in your speakers. Loco Live embodies the spirit of Punk Rock like none other, and shows why punk bands today still dress like, sound like, and try to play like, The RAMONES!"

The song RAMONES the same...

magician of sadness | Kentucky | 06/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a joke,when people would squish up their faces and ask me"what do the Ramones sound like,"I would answer"well,they're kinda like the satanic Beach Boys."Yes a joke,but it got the point across to everyone that they're really not like anyone,but it seems that everyone wants to sound like THEM.How craphole bands like Blink 182 and Good Charlotte can sell millions of albums and live in mansions and the Ramones ate dogfood is just further testament to the vast ignorance of the record buying public and the futility of believing in a just and loving god.From the beginning of their career to the end of it,The Ramones were the seminal punk rock group.If you haven't heard The Ramones,you have never,repeat,never heard true punk rock.This is about as close as any newbie will ever be to seeing them live,and that's a shame.The songs are fast,the audience is loud,and the setlist is phenomenal.There's no other band in the world that could plow through that many songs in 65 minutes without an encore.To be honest,The Ramones never once needed an encore to please their fans.This is in my opinion the greatest and truest live album ever recorded,a real treat for the fans,and one of the rare occasions it wasn't just a marketing ploy to further gouge the public at large for a greater profit margin.This is honesty people.Raw and angry sounding,this was the locomotive coming at you full force for the absolute love of their fans.A true gem of an album,Loco Live oughta please even the most jaded and arrogant among you."

TIGHT CD G

Jon Brown | Atlanta GA | 03/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just got this album and I've been listening to it non stop. This is the way the ramones were meant to be experienced, Loud, fast, and live! Every song on here is an undesputed Ramones classic, only played even faster than the album version. The one song on here that sounds most similar to the studio version is 'Mamma's Boy' and suprisingly 'Wart Hog', even though the latter is sung by new bassist CJ, he sounds very close to the original.Joey's commentary in-between the songs is great! "We believe in freedom, and we believe in human rights! I WANNA LIVE!!!"Although 'It's Alive' sounds more raw and alike the studio versions, 'Loco Live' has a much better set list (the Ramones had 10 albums to go through now, not 3), and thier new tracks are just as fun as the classics.This is also the first album without Dee Dee. CJ does an excellent job and his vocals on 'Warthog' sound suprisingly close to the original.Everyone needs to buy this album, put it in the sterio and turn it up to ten and bop till you drop! ;-)"