Album Review: End of the Century

The crossing of two generations, the 50's rock and roll sound perfected by Phil Spector and his now-legendary Wall of Sound, and the band that started a revolution, that put the rock back into rock, the Ramones, collaborated on this album. For hardcore Ramones fans, this is a terrible album. Most of these people prefer the Ramones to be remembered as the "1-2-3-4" group that they had grown to know and love, they didn't want this cheese ball record with, heaven forbid, PHIL SPECTOR!!! But as much as you may be surprised to hear me say, I think this is a good record. Sure, some of the songs are nothing special, but some of them are really good, case in point, "Do You Remember Rock and Roll Radio', 'Chinese Rock', This Ain't Havana', 'Rock N' Roll High School" and even "Baby I Love You". Yes, the highest charting Ramones song, considered the worst Ramones song, isn't as bad as everyone says it was. Sure it's not real Ramones, but when you get over that it isn't that bad. I especially like the version of 'Rock N Roll High School', much preferring this version to the Ed Stasium, giving it more punch and making it sound more exciting. Overall, this record is a mixed bag, and certainly unloved by many, but it's not the trash that people make it out to be. It was just an idea for the band, one that didn't quite turn out the way they wanted, but it's got its moments and if you really can't handle change, that's what the first 4 records are for(not to mention they mention John Lennon in the first 2:43 of the album).

Rating: 3.1/5