Brain Drain

Ramones

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 18, 1989)
• Original Release Date: May 23, 1989
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sire / London/Rhino
• ASIN: B000002LHT
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #171,082 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Album Classic in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars I believe in a better world for me and you, October 8, 2004

By	Johnny Heering "trivia buff" (Bethel, CT United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This album marked the return of Marky Ramone to the Ramones. It also was Dee Dee Ramone's last album with the group. And their last studio album for Sire Records. The album is pretty good, overall. It can't measure up to their earlier albums, but how could it? There are good songs here, but only two true Ramones "classics" ("I Believe in Miracles" and "Pet Sematary"). Although the Christmas song is a near classic. Ramones fans should enjoy this album.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A changing of the guard, January 27, 2002

By	Mark Edward Manning (London, U.K.) - See all my reviews

Just as the Ramones faced a crisis in 1979, wondering where they should allow musical direction to drift in the early '80s post-punk confusion, they also faced a similar crisis ten years later. The band was looking for another new direction. The Ramones struggled to keep their fan base all decade long, shining momemtarily on "Too Tough to Die" and "Animal Boy," but otherwise came up lackluster. The two really good albums from the '80s, "Pleasant Dreams" and "Subterranean Jungle," were panned by critics and ignored by fans. Now, come 1989, they were tired, were about to lose their long-time bassist, and looking to make a bold statement.

That statement came in the form of the extremely hard-hitting "Brain Drain." The Ramones re-invented their sound in a fitting way for the explosion of nu metal, grunge and retro punk that would define the '90s, and brought them into that decade looking and sounding relevant.

"Brain Drain" does not follow the Ramones' punk formula. The album is mostly goth rock and proto-heavy metal. But it works. The production is as heavy as it gets, but is also necessary. The songs wouldn't work if not for the bone-crunching sound that master chops man Bill Laswell provides. In short, "Brain Drain" is a seriously loud album, but enjoyable.

I could do without "Palisades Park," which is just downright silly and doesn't fit well into the album, but the other songs jive with their new direction in style and sound. Excepting the obvious "Pet Sematary," the best songs are "I Believe in Miracles," "Zero Zero U.F.O.," "Don't Bust My Chops," "Learn to Listen," and "Can't Get You Outta My Mind."

Considering this was Dee Dee's swan song with the Ramones (before returning years later stricly in the role of songwriter), you'd think that he'd have more lead vocal duties. Dee Dee delivers a delicious vocal performance on "Punishment Fits the Crime," accentuating the lyrics in poignant style. He should have sung "Zero Zero U.F.O." and "Ignorance is Bliss" as well (not to demean Joey's vocals in any way). Also, Bill Laswell, a bassist himself, didn't do Dee Dee any favors either by mixing his bass well into the background. The bass is a barely audible thump, song after song. Shameful.

However, despite any oversights in vocal duties or production techniques, "Brain Drain" is a stellar album, featuring very rich and satisfying heavy rock. If you're looking for an album that defined the Ramones during the early '90s, forget the miserable "Mondo Bizarro." Listen to "Brain Drain" instead.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Believe the Hype!, July 4, 2001

By	Mihajlo Lalic "[e-mail]" (Osijek, Croatia) - See all my reviews

Disregard everything bad you've heard about this album. It's simply NOT TRUE. Yes, I am a fan of just about everything The Ramones ever did, and yes, this was my first punk album which I got at the tender age of twelve. But those are not the reasons why I like it so much. It's the music, the lyrics, the image, well - The Ramones. And here they are at their 80's best: every song has a hook which will stay in your head for weeks or months (or years, like it happened to me), it's the finest pop music since the Beach Boys or Kinks, yet still there's just enough energy (and The Ramones' "enough" is all other bands' "impossible"). Some songs are as fast as anything they ever did (Learn to Listen, Ignorance Is Bliss), but there's always a hit-record feel because of the melody. Ah well. It's just fantastic and I can't really describe why. Please take my word for it, and buy it: to yourself, to your girlfried, to your kid, to your parents. Everybody will like it (just make sure they're not punk traditionalists who think Ramones sold out with "Road to Ruin").