Motörhead, "R.A.M.O.N.E.S."

I'm a U2 fan, and I have not been enjoying the bad press they've gotten for Songs of Innocence's rollout. Tyler the Creator's meltdown and the applause he got for it represents American at its privileged worst--that's what you're getting mad about, kids? A free album from the world's biggest band in your media player (or, as Bono put it, "junk mail")?

However, as a U2 fan I hold them to high standards, and on initial listens Songs of Innocence does not reach them. First single "The Miracle of Joey Ramone" feels like a self-conscious effort from a media giant to hold onto its increasingly distant punk roots. It's more in line with a major rock star yelling "I'm not Justin Bieber" than anything on Rocket to Russia.

The best tribute to the Ramones remains this song, from another punk and metal pioneer.



Like the Ramones, Motörhead made an entire career off basically one fast, loud and catchy song, rewriting it album after album with mind-blowing consistency (other than AC/DC, there isn't another band that has gotten away with it for so long). On their excellent 1991 release 1916, Lemmy and the gang became one of the only bands to pull off a successful Ramones impression, honoring them with a song the Ramones liked so much they ended up covering it (with Dee Dee on lead vocals). Gabba gabba, see them go.

End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones

One of my favorite punk movies is now online. You don't have to be a Ramones fan (though how couldn't you be?) to enjoy End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones, and your appreciation won't be ruined by watching Johnny mistreat his drummers or hearing Dee Dee innocently explain why he thought a rap album was a good idea. The interviewees are perceptive, the footage is revealing and of course the music is thrilling. Maybe you'll wonder why they put up with each other for the last 20 years of their career, but you'll be glad that they did.

Happy Birthday, Mom

Only a mother could love guys like Keith Moon, Dee Dee Ramone or David Lee Roth. Thankfully, I know a mother who has a birthday coming up. 



Happy Birthday, Mom

1. The Who, "Blue, Red and Gray"
2. The Bootleggers, "White Light/White Heat"
3. The Arcade Fire, "Wake Up"
4. Beck, "Nicotine & Gravy"
5. Johnny Cash, "The Man Comes Around"
6. The Rolling Stones, "The Last Time"
7. The Meters, "Cissy Strut"
8. Joy Division, "Love Will Tear Us Apart"
9. Jimi Hendrix, "Angel"
10. Leonard Cohen, "Tower of Song"
11. The Kinks, "Tired of Waiting for You"
12. Elvis Costello & the Attractions, "Green Shirt"
13. Bo Diddley, "You Can't Judge A Book by the Cover"
14. Otis Redding, "I Can't Turn You Loose"
15. Patsy Cline, "Walkin' After Midnight"
16. The Pixies, "Dig for Fire"
17. Prince, "Raspberry Beret"
18. The Ramones, "Do You Wanna Dance?"
19. Squeeze, "Goodbye Girl"
20. Rodrigo y Gabriela, "Stairway to Heaven"
21. Ben Folds Five, "Don't Change Your Plans"
22. Van Halen, "Happy Trails"