While it is probably no one's favorite Ramones album, it still is a fun listen. You could win punk rock trivia by knowing that this album was the highest charting Ramones record. It was also the end of a perfect four album run (Ramones through Road to Ruin) and unfortunately was the beginning of more spotty albums from the band, but it still is an OK record.
Produced by Phil Spector, the band hoped to hit it big after critical but not commercial success. They never did, but the new, more commercial sound wasn't a terrible fit for the band either. Spector certainly was though, the stories are wild.
Some RtBE favs on the record are the opening "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?", which really states exactly what the band was trying to do with this album. The tune is a bit pop with Steve Douglas on sax and handclaps, but still plays like the Ramones and works to these ears. Other highpoints are the gorgeously touching, all-alone-ballad "Danny Says" and the punchy "This Ain't Havana" which cooks.
Along those kick ass punk lines is also "I'm Affected" which rumbles with Dee Dee's bass driving the song forward. The other notable track is the group's cover of "Baby, I Love You" which is miles from the Ramones sound. It is a mixed bag, even if the band never liked it, the strings are cheesy, but Joey is such a great singer that he pulls off the vocals gloriously. Would it have been better with cutting guitars and drums? Yes, but as it stands it is a unique one off in their long career.
So on the 45th anniversary of End of the Century's release, play it loud.
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