Disco de Ramones: “NYC 1978”

I used to have a copy of "It's Alive," which I thought was a great live CD. However, one day I was browsing the shelves at a local music store, and I noticed a copy of this CD on sale for $10. I looked at the track listing and noticed it was almost the same as "It's Alive," and one of the guys at the store

told me that someone had bought that same copy, then he returned it because "It sounds like every other Ramones' CD." Go figure.

Anyway, I figured, "What the hell? It's only $10." I bought it and took it home, and it sounded INCREDIBLE!!! I think it's better than "It's Alive" because the concert takes place on the Ramones' home turf, so they feel more within their element. The sound is more rough and raw and in-your-face, and it captures the Ramones at their finest.

Don't get me wrong, "It's Alive" is still a great CD, but it just doesn't quite have the same energy. I gave my copy to a friend, so now I just listen to "NYC 1978."

After several months of listening the decision is in: NYC 1978 is better than It's Alive. This marks are reversal of the opinion voiced in my review of It's Alive written shortly after I first heard NYC 1978. It's Alive had long been an album of which I was very fond. My love for that album blinded me to the truth, and I was unwilling to accept the possibility that there existed a better Ramones album.

Nevertheless, NYC'78 occasionally made its way into my car stereo. And I, of course, would proceed to rock out to its glorious noise.

Several days ago I dusted off It's Alive and decided to take it for a ride. I am sad to say that it just wasn't the same. The New Year's Eve performance felt dull, uninspired, bland. It felt less honest, less potent, less vibrant---less Alive.

Only time will tell, but I am inclined to think that It's Alive may become obsolete. NYC 1978 contains the same set of songs recorded just a week after the London performance. The fundamental difference between the two records is found in the sound quality of each recordings. Ultimately, it is difficult to fathom how anyone could deny that the later performance is in this respect superior.

This record made It's Alive obsolete, no joke, simply because It's Alive has fake crowd noise and the vocals overdubbed in a studio, this one doesn't. This is a true representation of what the band sounded like on this era, and regardless of that, it simply rocks more than It's Alive

This concert takes place a week after the new years eve 1977 Rainbow show in England (which is widely regarded as the as the bands greatest moment). You can feel similar energy as this show and it is well recorded on this CD. Highly recommend.

Back in the day, the King Biscuit Flower Hour was an incredible FM radio mainstay which featured concert performances from many artists who represented a number of musical genres.

These 27 tracks of sizzling punk rock aired on the syndicated program and were recorded at the Palladium om January 7, 1978. Keeping the beat on drums is Tommy Ramone, who soon left the band.

This is as outstanding means to hear the Ramones as they ripped through a set before an appreciative audience. The group paved the punk rock trail and this gig demonstrates the power and energy that made them a "must-see" act when their tour rolled into the city.