This was the Ramones third album of punk-rock awesomeness, and was considered by many critics to be the album where they really hit their stride, including Vinyl Reviews, who writes:

“Such relentless energy and romantic idealism make Rocket to Russia more than a punk classic. It’s also a fine example of pure pop songwriting.”

I’m really liking the punk theme this week. The Ramones have been on my radar in the past, but for their big hits like “Blitzkrieg Bop” and “I Wanna Be Sedated.” This album has more depth than those songs alone would suggest, with plenty of the classic cranking guitar riffs, plus some more downcast, introspective tracks that didn’t make it into the “best of the 70’s” playlists I’d listened to. That’s yet another great reason to continue this project - I thought this album was almost a relaxing introduction to punk rock at times, and the energy of the album ebbed and flowed like the rising and falling action of a great movie.

New Jams

“Rockaway Beach”
“Sheena Is A Punk Rocker”

Originally part of How To Appreciate Music From Our Past.