Animal Boy

Ramones | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 8, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sire / London/Rhino
• ASIN: B000002L9O
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,035 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #55 in Music > Alternative Rock > Hardcore & Punk > American Punk

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: RAMONES
Title: ANIMAL BOY
Street Release Date: 03/08/1994
Domestic
Genre: PUNK

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some good songs, but badly produced, January 22, 2004

By 

B-Movie Nightmares "obsessed with cinematic c... (Sparks, NV United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Animal Boy (Audio CD)

After the resurgence of the Ramones with "Too Tough to Die," the boys decided to leave co-producers Ed Stasium and Tommy Erdelyi (original drummer Tommy Ramone) behind. The production of "Animal Boy" was entrusted to ex-Plasmatics bass player Jean Beauvoir after he produced their single "Bonzo Goes to Bitburg," which is also included on the album. The problem with that single applies to the album as a whole: it's a good Ramones song in the traditional sense, but the production is way too clean-sounding, with thin guitars and unnecessary synth/electronic effects. The drums sound weak, there's no punch to them at all. It's like Beauvoir was trying to turn the Ramones into just another 80's radio pop-rock act. The most extreme example of the production bringing the album down has to be "She Belongs to Me," which has to be the wimpiest Ramones song ever recorded. The synthesizers drive the ballad along, with barely a trace of guitar to be heard. "Howling at the Moon" used some electronics too, but at least the guitars still sounded beefy and the drums had some power to them. Walter Lure (ex-Heartbreakers) did some guitar work on "Animal Boy," so the level of Johnny's involvement is questionable.

On the plus side, you do get the early experiments with a faster, more hardcore-influenced sound that started on "Too Tough to Die." "Animal Boy" and "Eat That Rat" are among the faster Ramones material, with Dee Dee's snotty vocals making the latter a kind of "Wart Hog II." Dee Dee also sings on "Love Kills," a now-classic song about Sid and Nancy. It's ironic in a depressing way to hear Dee Dee sing the line "Drugs don't ever pay," though.

"Somebody Put Something in My Drink," supposedly based on Richie Ramone drinking a cocktail spiked with LSD, features Joey shouting/singing a little harsher than usual. This is another change in the Ramones sound that started on Too Tough to Die. With the production, though, Richie comes off sounding like a drum machine. Other strong songs include "Crummy Stuff," "Mental Hell," and "Something to Believe in," the pop single that should have shot the Ramones to #1 on the charts. In my opinion, the below-average Ramones songs that they recorded in the 80's were still better than most of their 90's output. Like "Apeman Hop," for example. I have as yet to hear a positive comment about this song, but I happen to like it. It's got the classic three chord approach that made the Ramones famous, and bizarre lyrics about a cannibalistic monkey man. Maybe it's the Tarzan vocals on the chorus that alienated people. To me it's another comic-book episode from my favorite band of all time. Like "Cretin Hop" and "We're A Happy Family," with the Ramones it was often better when the lyrics made no sense.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ramones with an edge!, August 17, 2002

By 

patrick rando[ph (felton, california United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Animal Boy (Audio CD)

This is by far one of my favorite Ramones albums. I will probably be tarred and feathered by the Ramones faithful but there is little not to love on this album. From the song about the love of Sid and Nancy...Love Kills to Bonzo goes to Bitburg....hell what a ride. Yup, the Ramones got political for a moment. "I see Johnny being pissed that this song was ever produced." The Ramones gained a bit of an edge on this album and it has never felt dated or diminished in any way over the
years. This album makes me even sadder when i listen to it. To think there is not going to be any more music from the boys. Hell, what a sad state of affairs.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When life is sh*t, this does the trick, July 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Animal Boy (Audio CD)

We all know that this is the Ramones album the spawned the minor hit Bonzo Goes to Bitburg, la de da de da. But look folks, the Ramones are not just a stupid poppy punk band; they really do have a lot to say. (Critics) read between the lines and you'll see how they and this album in particular speak to the outsiders and outcasts of the world. Let me digress: the title track. Just listen to those amazing lyrics! I know a couple people who will remain nameless that I'd like to blast that song into the ears of. Somebody Put Something in My Drink and Hair of the Dog are great frat house, or alone-in-the-house anthems to getting drunk. Apeman Hop and Freak of Nature are battle cries to us Spazzes and Pinheads. She Belongs to Me is about that girl you really like who choses the other guy (don't think I don't know what that's like). Crummy Stuff and Mental Hell, oh yeah! speak for me brother Joey! And Something to Believe In is when everything just plain sucks but you still have hope that it can and will get better. Not to be forgotten in the roster are the Dee Dee vocalized Love Kills (why the hell wasn't it used in the Sid & Nancy flick?) and Eat That Rat, a just as good as any thrasher. So you see, the Ramones may not speak to you or your clan, but there are those of us that their songs, and especially this album hits right home. Gabba Gabba y'all.