At first, I was not exactly thrilled with the 1986 release of the Ramones. Sounding guitars, no oomph and the merciless overproduction of Jean Beauvoir in typical 80s garb left me quite disillusioned.
However, now, a few years later, my opinion has changed lying. Why? I have the entire album (including B-sides) chased by iZotope remastering program and lo and behold! If it sounds right first, this album is like a milestone in the Ramones catalog !!
Whether mans like or do not believe, the majority of the songs is simply BRILLIANT compositionally. Behind the known hits like "Somebody Put Something in My Drink" and "My Brain is Hanging Upside Down" there are mainly the "smaller" songs that are shining through my remastering in new splendor. Some examples:
"Animal Boy" is a real reef Kracher, short and crisp as in the 70s. Even better was "apeman hop" from. A catchy tune very first class, which you have to hear it loud best and then the chorus can sing along nicely (with Dee Dee's hot Oooh-Whoooah-Background Vocals). The fact that I have highlighted the guitars and the bass, you realize what the producer has actually built a crap when mixing. With a skin Wumms this song almost!
It is similar with "Love Kills" and "Crummy Stuff", which weaken slightly in the songwriting.
The absolute About firecrackers all over the plate forms for me but Joey's MENTAL HELL. Heaved Again by remaster to new levels, the whole power and ingenuity that goes into the song unfolds! Lyrically deep, with a killer guitar riff that one takes off his shoes! For me one of the best Ramones songs ever.
And even "Freak of Nature" and the ballad "Something to Believe in" are really worth listening to, once you get "weggemastert" the tinny sound ...
Conclusion: As a big Ramones fan and connoisseur, I can say with certainty: Animal Boy is musically one of the best and most diverse albums that they have ever produced. Unfortunately, unfortunately, was at that time really dovetailed everything when mixing and mastering, as far as the sound. But it may be not be deceived, because by proper remastering the record is almost unrecognizable. RECOURSE hoped that Sire Records sometime summarizes a heart and the new CD hangs in improved sound ... and plus the ingenious B-sides "Can not Say Anything Nice," "Smash You" and "Go Home Ann".
A small milestone, hidden behind a terrible sound.
