Brain Drain

Ramones | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 30, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino Flashback
• ASIN: B001ET081W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,824 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Great collection at a great price.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 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
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brain Drain (Audio CD)

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.

7 of 7 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

This review is from: Brain Drain (Audio CD)

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.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a GOOD post 70's Ramones album, December 28, 2004

By 

Brian J. Demascio "The devil made me do it!" (Novato, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brain Drain (Audio CD)

The guy who produced this album also produces Motorhead's classic "Orgasmatron", and man, can you here it! This is by far the heaviest Ramones album. From the bump-and-run of "I Believe in Miracles", to the churning grind of "Don't Bust My Chops", to the almost thrash/metal "Zero Zero UFO", this album just rocks. It also has a "classic" style Ramones song (the video was "dedicated to the fans") called "Merry Christams (I don't want to Fight Tonight)".

If you feel like you must get an album after "Too Tough To Die", then get this little ditty...you'll be glad you did!