Ramones
Greatest Hits

THE REVIEW

Gabba Gabba Hey! Gabba Gabba Hey! For me, just this motto would be enough to describe the "Greatest Hits" of the Ramones, but I know that I would then receive a flood of 1s as a rating for my review. Maybe.

Although theoretically compilations go against punk ethics (but the Sex Pistols have shown us that it's a colossal lie), I feel like saying that this is even one of the best compilations of the genre. It includes a tracklist of twenty essential songs in the history of the New York group, which well represent almost all of their discography and their various phases. Which then makes you wonder how they managed to sound different every time by always playing the same three chords.

The project is coherent and was strongly supported by families, friends, and former band members, like Marky, Tommy, and the lesser-known Richie and C.J. The album, needless to say, is dedicated to the three pillars of the formation, Joey and Johnny, who seem to have died of cancer, and Dee Dee, who instead should have passed away from the good old overdose. I don't remember exactly.

The fundamental point of my review, however, lies in the booklet notes, in the words of drummer Tommy Ramone. They are in English, I'll try to brutally translate:

"The Ramones did not have hits in terms of millions of copies sold. It took decades for the masses to realize that these songs are treasures. The hits are those that were popular among our fans. Many of them started their bands inspired by us and many later became famous."

This is a summary, because the text is too long, but I think the message still gets across.

The Ramones have had their hardcore fan base for years, and even today everyone I know who appreciates rock has had their more or less brief period of infatuation with this seminal punk band. I obviously recommend the album to those who don't have much of their discography, like me, also because there are no unreleased tracks. My rating is four stars, but know that it would be four and a half if it were possible.

Note: I gradually discovered that the best music is sometimes the cheapest. I paid less than ten euros for all my favorite albums, because they're over twenty years old. This one cost me 4.90. I know that to conclude, this is a crappy comment, but the low price increases the sentimental value I have towards this CD. Thank you and goodbye.