Album/EP

Ramones - Leave Home: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (Album Review)

Walladmin

Heavy Metal Wordsmith

/10

Jul 27, 2017

7 min read

Ramones - Leave Home: 40th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Released: July 21st 2017

2017 is the year to feel old. Every band under the sun is going on Anniversary Tours and generally reminding us how good music was ‘back in the day’... time to feel even older.

The forefathers of pop-punk. The talented, leather wearing 4-piece. The Ramones are celebrating the 40th Anniversary of their phenomenal second studio album Leave Home. Yeah you read that right; it's been 40 years since this gem was released into the world and to celebrate the joyous occasion we’ve been given a shiny new remastered version of the album; including 80 tracks of mixes and live performances that make for an overall interesting and nostalgia filled experience.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDhCoxhl6hc&w=640&h=360]

The album's first section includes the 14 tracks remastered and packing all the promised nostalgia of a ramones record but clearer than ever before. Tracks such as 'Glad To See You Go', 'Gimme Gimme Shock Treatmen't and 'I Remember You', which open the album, benefit most from the upgrade and it's a pleasure to jam out to the beginning of pop-punk in the crisp clarity it deserves.

Following the original album comes… the album again! And again!

If you are a fiend for music production then picking apart the minute differences between the remastered and 40th anniversary mix will be a dream come true. (Top tip: You’re going to need a good speaker system to really hear it). The difference is strikingly clear however, between the former and the Sundragon rough mixes which includes atmospheric count ins and flaws that bring a charming, personal quality consequently placing you in the room with the band. You feel a part of the portion of history being made and it's with that that the anniversary album succeeds in it's purpose of providing a new yet authentic listening experience.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIu1rwe8Pwo&w=640&h=360]

Have enough mixes in the album? Nope. Well here is another 20 tracks sorted in a pick n mix fashion of instrumentals, mixes, b-sides and generally oddly titled differences. There isn't huge amount to get excited for other than the 'I Don't Care' b-side which shows development of the track over time.

The real intrigue comes from the final section Live at the CBGBs which as a live album goes isn't particularly well recorded 'Blitzkrieg Bop' suffering significantly from this(Blame it on the 70s) however I believe half of the Ramones appeal is their live sound and this definitely delivers. Tracks such as 'Swallow My Pride' and 'Suzy is a Headbanger' treat the listener with the unique vocals and danceable guitar riffs that can be expected from the Ramones and consequently cap the album of nicely.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pIb9v4NkYA&w=640&h=360]

Overall the album although enjoyable over does it with 80 tracks, that at times just feels like filler. However if you're looking for your hit of 70s nostalgia this is the way to go.