Cold War Punks

The Ramones’ third album is just as good as their debut but with some noticeable changes. Not only does Rocket to Russia have more radio friendly melodies than Ramones but it sounds much more similar to the Brill Building pop, girl groups, and surf music the band grew up listening to in the ‘60s. The results are genuine good vibes for the listener- Rocket to Russia might even be appropriate music for a July 4th barbecue- but there are exceptions. The break up numbers are dark and painfully honest and even some of the peppier songs remind us Ramones’ world is not a happy place. These four guys have some real, nagging problems, existential and otherwise. But when they come together to make their music, those problems fall by the wayside and the world is a better place- at least for two minutes.

It’s a common story: music helps young people cope with life’s challenges including the threat of nuclear annihilation by the Soviets. During my early teenage years on Long Island (at the end of the Cold War), Rocket to Russia was one of my favorite albums probably because it was funny, irreverent, catchy as hell, and hit all the right buttons for a teenage boy. The songs assured me I was not alone in this crazy world and girls were going to break my heart- but at least there was music. A couple of years later I started my own punk band, watched the Berlin Wall fall on TV, and saw the Ramones play live one summer night at Jones Beach. Good times. Grade: A

Listen to songs from the album on Spotify...