Customer Reviews

Animal Boy

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

'Somebody Put Something In My Drink' and 'Bonzo Goes To Bitburg' are great Ramones classics and the rest of the album is a mixed bag -- but with a few surprises worth discovering ('Love Kills' -- a heartfelt tribute to Sid and Nancy by Dee-Dee, 'Freak of Nature', 'Hair of the Dog' and the anthem-like 'Something to Believe In' are all good songs). 'Animal Boy' (the song) is considered a hit by Ramones standards, but ultimately isn't anything special, and both 'Apeman Hop' and 'Crummy Stuff' are dreadful after repeated listenings. Overall, theres enough here to merit a reserved recommendation.

not saying that it is bad at all. this album is the one where i have to look back and say "this is a Ramones record, right?" keyboards, metal tinged music? yep, this is the ramones. maybe it is because im not used to richie ramone. i think this album right here is the bridge between older classic Ramones and the Ramones we would see until Adios Amigos...sure, there is too tough to die, but that album is more comparable to the older classic short fast punk style offerings. anyways, animal boy is worth the purchase.


also, why no stellar packaging with bonus tracks and stories for animal boy or halfway to sanity like the first 8 or the last 4 (captain oi re-issued those)? i mean even if the creative well of the Ramones was undergoing changes that differed from the classics around this time period, they are at least worthy of being re-mastered to fit the rest. i mean this is the period in which i know the least of the Ramones "story wise" and yeah, they could even pay a little tribute to johnny in the notes like the ones to joey and dee dee in the first 8.

just a thought. great album though. get it cheap if you are expecting a re-issue to pop up.

A catchy, crunchy, balls-out album--from Joey's wino snarl on the blistering opener "Somebody Put Something in My Drink" to Dee Dee's angry paean to Sid 'n' Nancy "Love Kills" to the heartfelt, hopeful melodic classic "Something to Believe In" this 1986 effort shows the Ramones in top form. The producer--Jean Beauvoir from the Plasmatics--got a great sound out of Johnny's guitar, sort of like a trash compactor crossed with a buzzsaw. Add the withering social critique "Bonzo Goes to Bitburg" and you've got an overlooked gem from the greatest pop-punk band of them all!

I can still remember when this album came out in 1986. I went to see the Ramones live right after it's release and they performed several tracks from it. Maybe I'm just being biased in my review of it because of my love for everything Ramones, but this is just a great straight forward rock & roll record. You really don,t find many albums coming out now where every track is worth while.

at first listen i did not enjoy this album at all,but after getting into it for awhile,i think it's a gem. It might not be as good as Too Tough to Die but its way better than Halfway To Sanity(worst Ramones album IMO).None of the tracks here suck probably the intro of Apeman Hop is the only thing that might make u think twice

This is one of the Best Ramones albums, The Production is not bad, there is a little too much "synth" of some songs, like "She Belongs to Me", which is not a bad song but it is probably my least favorite slow Ramones song and the production makes it sound pretty weak, but thats alright.
Other songs like "Somebody put something in my Drink" and "Love kills" (which has the greatest "punk" riff ever), "Mental Hell" and "Animal Boy" totally make up for any weakness.

The Synths do sound great on "Something to believe in" and "Bonzo goes to Bitburg", which is one of the greatest Ramones songs.

Dee Dee sings on "Love kills" and "Eat that Rat", "Love Kills" is an amazing song and "Eat that Rat" is O.k.,

"Hair of the Dog" is a great song although it doesn't really stand out, and "Crummy Stuff" is also a great song that doesn't really stand out to me. "Apeman Hop" is another great song which would be greater without the Tarzan Backing vocals,
But I like it anyway.

This album has some of my Favorite Ramones songs. like
"Bonzo Goes to Bitburg"
"Mental Hell"
"Love Kills"
"Somebody put something in my drink"

The rest of the album is great, the only Filler is "Freak of Nature", which is really cool, but kind of weird.
and "Eat that Rat", which is also really cool in its own way.
There is no BAD song on the album, and I listen to it all the time.
If you're looking to buy a Ramones album from the Late 80's era, than I suggest this one first.

This is not The Ramones at their best but it's still a great album. It's their 9th album right win they said "Forget it lets play what we're best at, Loud, fast Rock 'n' Roll!"

Somebody put something in my drink (6/10) A alright song written by Richie Ramone who joined after Marky was kicked out.

Animal Boy (7/10) Not their best but better then their pop songs

Love Kills (10/10) Orignally for the film Syd & Nancy one of the more remembered tracks from this album.

Apeman Hop (8/10) It's just alright

She Belongs to me (4/10) The weakest song on the album

Crummy Stuff (10/10) A personal favorite. Still applys to today.
"Crummy music, Crummy TV, Crummy people, Crummy movies."

My Brain is Hanging Upside Down (9/10) I don't agree with the message but its got a great beat and course.

Mental Hell (6/10) Not the best

Eat the Rat (8/10) Another Dee Dee vocal which normally means louder and faster

Freak of nature (8/10) "FreaK!" Alright not the best on the album but alright

Hair of the Dog (8/10) Just Alright

Something to Believe In (10/10) I love this song. The video pokes fun at all the "Aid" songs and events of the 80's.

A good buy for any Ramones fan.
Hands Across Your Face!