Rock took a turn towards the bombastic, complex, and symphonic in the early 70s of the last century. YES had released the monumental “Close to the Edge” in 1972, not even a year later GENESIS were “Selling England by the Pound”, and LED ZEPPELIN entered the “Houses of the Holy” also in 1973.
It very much looked liked as if the greasy, long-haired kids of rock were all becoming posh and polished. Yet in Downtown New York, a very different scene emerged that begged to differ.
In a new club, a bunch of leather-clad rowdy youths that called their band RAMONES gave their debut show at CBGB’s on August 16, 1974. They were loud, their hard-hitting songs needed few chords, hardly lasted longer than two minutes, and they barely gave a damn about playing perfect notes. The world of music was about to change forever.
The RAMONES are unquestionably the most ubiquitous American punk rock band of all time, whose spirit of rebellion and music have inspired generations; and still remains alive while all original members have sadly passed far too early.
With three chords and straightforward lyrics, the RAMONES embraced a stripped-down, high-energy approach that was both primal and revolutionary when it arrived in the shape of the self-titled debut album “Ramones” in 1976. They went on to influence some of the most recognizable rock, punk and metal bands of the next several decades, ranging from BLACK FLAG, NIRVANA, METALLICA, CIRCLE JERKS, WHITE ZOMBIE, PEARL JAM, and GUNS N’ ROSES, to name just a few. The mighty MOTÖRHEAD even dedicated a song to them.
The RAMONES perfectly represented and encapsulated the essence of the underground, holding true to their sound and style for decades, inspiring multiple generations, and establishing eternal cultural significance despite never achieving true commercial success themselves.
Magnetic Eye’s Redux Series was created to pay homage to classic albums from across music history. The label has charged themselves as chroniclers and archivists to contribute to keeping the memory of outstanding artists and records alive and transfer their music to the sound of new generations.
“Ramones Redux” re-imagines and celebrates the punk legends’ debut album from start to finish, and is accompanied by “Best of Ramones Redux”, which includes new renditions of deep cuts and classics from across their catalog. As a first for a Magnetic Eye Redux release, this homage to the RAMONES has been masterminded and curated by New York City and London-based Italian-Swiss audio engineer, sound designer, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and Grammy winner Marc Urselli. And while the focus of fans regarding the Redux series is often on the full album homage, the sheer volume of outstanding artists and number of fascinating collaborations offered on this particular “Best of Redux” is simply stunning.
The Magnetic Eye Redux Series and its companion volumes feature hand-picked classic albums from across the history of rock and metal re-imagined in their entirety from start to finish. Artists we love from within and outside the heavy rock landscape choose tracks to make their own, bringing these milestone records into the new millennium with crushing heaviness and searing energy.
Tracklist “Best of Ramones Redux”
1. Voivod feat. JG Thirlwell ‘Zero Zero UFO’
2. Destructo Disk feat. Timo Ellis ‘I Don’t Wanna Be Learned/I Don’t Wanna Be Tamed’
3. Impostor Cult feat. Amy Tung Barrysmith ‘Pet Sematary’
4. Oscar Dunbar & The Heat Inc. ‘You’re Gonna Kill That Girl’
5. Daniele Brusaschetto & Chvad SB ‘I Can’t Be’
6. So Hideous feat. Gary Lucas ‘The KKK Took My Baby Away’
7. King Potenaz & Nefariant ‘Time Has Come Today’
8. Venamoris feat. Eicca Toppinen ‘I Want You Around’
9. Kayo Dot & Ihsahn ‘Teenage Lobotomy’
10. Duel ‘Chinese Rock’
11. Raw Power feat. Sergio Milani -‘I Don’t Care’
12. Zeni Geva & Besvärjelsen ‘You Should Never Have Opened that Door’
13. Restless Spirit feat. Jeff Matz ‘Poison Heart’
14. David J & Paul Wallfisch ‘I Wanna Be Sedated’
Shop
http://lnk.spkr.media/ramones-redux
Formats
“Marc Urselli’s Best of Ramones Redux” is available as a Gatefold transparent clear vinyl LP, a Gatefold marbled white, black & silver vinyl LP, and as a Digisleeve CD (incl 3 bonus tracks).