 |
|
Between 1976 and 1978, the Ramones could seemingly do no wrong, and It's Alive, the album that preserved their 1977 going on 1978 New Year's Eve show in London for the ages, captured the pride of Forest Hills at the peak of their form, turning three-chord downstroke into the stuff of magic. By 1990, the band's albums were generally good but not great, and it seemed as if their days of studio glory were behind them. But anyone who ever saw the Ramones live will tell you that right up to the end, they never failed to deliver on-stage, and if Loco Live isn't quite up to the same level as It's Alive, it proves these guys always gave their fans the sweat, muscle, and cool tunes they came to see.
The buzz of Johnny Ramone's guitar is still gloriously relentless, Joey yelps like he means it (and if he has a little more to say between songs, most of it's cool), Marky remains King of the Big Beat, and C.J. plays at least as well as Dee Dee (and is nearly as good at yelling "wuntootreeFAH!"). And if the presence of "Mama's Boy," "Someone Put Something in My Drink," and "I Believe in Miracles" don't exactly give Loco Live an edge over the first three albums set list of It's Alive, the truth is nearly all the newer songs sound stronger (and faster) on-stage, and the old stuff is, as always, a joy to behold. If you're going to buy a Ramones live album, the blazing It's Alive is the one to get, but Loco Live proves these old soldiers never gave up the fight - 13 years on, they were still loud and proud, and you can't help but love 'em for it. Mark Deming, allmusic.com
1. The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
2. Durango 95
3. Teenage Lobotomy
4. Psycho Therapy
5. Blitzkrieg Bop
6. Rock And Roll Radio
7. I Believe In Miracles
8. Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment
9. Rock And Roll High School
10. I Wanna Be Sedated
11. The KKK Took My Baby Away
12. I Wanna Live
13. Bonzo Goes To Bitberg
14. Too Tough To Die
15. Sheena Is A Punk Rocker
16. Rockaway Beach
17. Pet Sematary
18. Don't Bust My Chops
19. Palisades Park
20. Mama's Boy
21. Animal Boy
22. Wart Hog
23. Surfin' Bird
24. Cretin Hop
25. I Don't Wanna Walk Around With You
26. Today Your Love, Tomorrow The World
27. Pinhead
28. Somebody Put Something In My Drink
29. Beat On The Brat
30. Judy Is A Punk
31. Chinese Rocks
32. Love Kills
33. Ignorance Is Bliss