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". [B-Movie Nightmares]
Some "Punk Purists" put this record down, 'cause they think Ramones sold out?!? But look-a-here and Listen Up! The Ramones bros. don't have a lame record. Even their weakest lp is better than 99% of today punk shit. Any Ramones slab is better than any White Stripes record, enough said. Now Dig this Superfine Surfadelic 360 Stereo Vinyl Rip. Gabba Gabba Dig!!!
"Gonna kill and destroy
I'm not an animal boy
Why don't they understand
I'm not an ape man"
I'm not an animal boy
Why don't they understand
I'm not an ape man"
"Don't have brain damage
I'm not an a wild savage
Don't push me around
Don't bring my head down"
I'm not an a wild savage
Don't push me around
Don't bring my head down"
