This is one of the Best Ramones albums, The Production is not bad, there is a little too much "synth" of some songs, like "She Belongs to Me", which is not a bad song but it is probably my least favorite slow Ramones song and the production makes it sound pretty weak, but thats alright.
Other songs like "Somebody put something in my Drink" and "Love kills" (which has the greatest "punk" riff ever), "Mental Hell" and "Animal Boy" totally make up for any weakness.

The Synths do sound great on "Something to believe in" and "Bonzo goes to Bitburg", which is one of the greatest Ramones songs.

Dee Dee sings on "Love kills" and "Eat that Rat", "Love Kills" is an amazing song and "Eat that Rat" is O.k.,

"Hair of the Dog" is a great song although it doesn't really stand out, and "Crummy Stuff" is also a great song that doesn't really stand out to me. "Apeman Hop" is another great song which would be greater without the Tarzan Backing vocals,
But I like it anyway.

This album has some of my Favorite Ramones songs. like
"Bonzo Goes to Bitburg"
"Mental Hell"
"Love Kills"
"Somebody put something in my drink"

The rest of the album is great, the only Filler is "Freak of Nature", which is really cool, but kind of weird.
and "Eat that Rat", which is also really cool in its own way.
There is no BAD song on the album, and I listen to it all the time.
If you're looking to buy a Ramones album from the Late 80's era, than I suggest this one first.

This is by far one of my favorite Ramones albums. I will probably be tarred and feathered by the Ramones faithful but there is little not to love on this album. From the song about the love of Sid and Nancy...Love Kills to Bonzo goes to Bitburg....hell what a ride. Yup, the Ramones got political for a moment. "I see Johnny being pissed that this song was ever produced." The Ramones gained a bit of an edge on this album and it has never felt dated or diminished in any way over the
years. This album makes me even sadder when i listen to it. To think there is not going to be any more music from the boys. Hell, what a sad state of affairs.

We all know that this is the Ramones album the spawned the minor hit Bonzo Goes to Bitburg, la de da de da. But look folks, the Ramones are not just a stupid poppy punk band; they really do have a lot to say. (Critics) read between the lines and you'll see how they and this album in particular speak to the outsiders and outcasts of the world. Let me digress: the title track. Just listen to those amazing lyrics! I know a couple people who will remain nameless that I'd like to blast that song into the ears of. Somebody Put Something in My Drink and Hair of the Dog are great frat house, or alone-in-the-house anthems to getting drunk. Apeman Hop and Freak of Nature are battle cries to us Spazzes and Pinheads. She Belongs to Me is about that girl you really like who choses the other guy (don't think I don't know what that's like). Crummy Stuff and Mental Hell, oh yeah! speak for me brother Joey! And Something to Believe In is when everything just plain sucks but you still have hope that it can and will get better. Not to be forgotten in the roster are the Dee Dee vocalized Love Kills (why the hell wasn't it used in the Sid & Nancy flick?) and Eat That Rat, a just as good as any thrasher. So you see, the Ramones may not speak to you or your clan, but there are those of us that their songs, and especially this album hits right home. Gabba Gabba y'all.

I'm 38 years old, and I've been a die-hard Ramones fan since 1979. I bought this album when it first came out, and, of course I loved it back then. But, the older I get, the more I realize that the TRUE Ramones sound was defined on the first 8 albums, all of which have been re-released by Rhino with bonus tracks and demos on each cd. The cds also have great liner notes about what was going on woth the band during the time they recorded the album.

Animal Boy has it's moments, as in Apeman Hop, Animal Boy, and Love Kills. BUT, this album also had the weak stuff like "Something To Believe In" and "Crummy Stuff".

If you are an old time fan, then you might want this just so you can say "Hey, I got all the Ramones albums", but if you are just starting out, get Too Tough To Die and then all of the other re-issues.

Thanks.

'Somebody Put Something In My Drink' and 'Bonzo Goes To Bitburg' are great Ramones classics and the rest of the album is a mixed bag -- but with a few surprises worth discovering ('Love Kills' -- a heartfelt tribute to Sid and Nancy by Dee-Dee, 'Freak of Nature', 'Hair of the Dog' and the anthem-like 'Something to Believe In' are all good songs). 'Animal Boy' (the song) is considered a hit by Ramones standards, but ultimately isn't anything special, and both 'Apeman Hop' and 'Crummy Stuff' are dreadful after repeated listenings. Overall, theres enough here to merit a reserved recommendation.