Richie Ramone "Entitled" 2013***

Among other disasters, small and great, 2014 saw the passing of the last original Ramone, Tommy Ramone/ Erdelyi. Although the Ramones legacy lives on in a million other bands (It can justifiably be said that they've influenced more bands than anyone but The Beatles), there are precious few opportunities to fly the eagle flag and chant the hymn of the Ramones nation (you all know the words: Hey Ho, Let's Go!). Marky and CJ have been appearing in festivals and making albums, but there's one Ramone who had been absent until recently: Richie drummed for the Ramones for 3 albums and more than 500 shows during his 5 year stint in the band (1982-1987). He helped them regain some of the momentum they had lost during the early 80's and attract new fans with a more hardcore sound. He wrote, among others, one of their greatest hits "Somebody Put Something In My Drink". Now, more than 25 years after he left the band, he took once more the Ramone nom de guerre and released his first solo record. The first impression is that it does not sound like The Ramones. It misses Joey's pop sensibilities and Johnny's love of 60's rock. Which doesn't mean that Ramones fans won't like it, because there is a lot to like: the music is hard and fast with driving drums, great guitar solos and memorable choruses. Richie may not be a great singer but he pulls through without embarrassing himself, playing an amalgam of punk and no-nonsense hard rock. Three of his own compositions from his Ramones days are resurrected here: "I Know Better Now," "I'm Not Jesus," "Humankind" and they all sound different from the originals but just as good. A few songs (e.g. "Take My Hand") sound curiously like Dinosaur Jr but mostly it reminds me of that other New York punk institution, The Dictators. "Smash You" is the one song that sounds exactly like The Ramones. Together with "Criminal", "Entitled" and "Into The Fire" they make up a quartet of new songs that stand up well next to the ones of his Ramones period. Although it does not add much to The Ramones legacy and it's doubtful that will be even a footnote in the band's history, it's nevertheless an enjoyable album with fantastic drumming and fun songs. In the absence of Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee and Tommy it's good to at least have Richie around to carry on the family name. Like the graffiti on the cover of the very last Ramones album said "Viva La Revolution - Arriva Los Ramones"!

**** for I Know Better Now

*** for Criminal, Entitled, Take My Hand, Smash You, Into The Fire, I’m Not Jesus, Humankind

** for Better Than Me, Someday Girl, Vulnerable, Forgotten Years