Music review: C.J. Ramone – ‘American Beauty’
Once a punk, always a punk.
In 1977, England had the Sex Pistols and America had the Ramones to lead the unruly punk sound. That was also the year I purchased “Rocket to Russia” with classic punk tracks like “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker,” “Rockaway Beach,” “Teenage Lobotomy” and “Locket Love” and was instantly inspired to start a garage band with my best friend. In my opinion, I still consider “Rocket to Russia” the best punk album ever and my original copy hangs proudly framed on my wall.
Christopher Joseph Ward joined the New York punk fraternity in 1989 and was immediately dubbed C.J. Ramone, serving as bassist until the band called it quits in 1996.
While the four original members of the Ramones have passed on to punk heaven where torn jeans and leather jackets are the formal attire and all the songs consist of gritty guitar riffs, hammering drum beats and brash lyrics, the Queens native continues the signature style the punk icons managed to belt out with an abundance of swagger and unapologetic rebellion on “American Beauty.”
The breakneck speed of “LetĢƵ Go” opens the album while mirroring “Cretin Hop” with Ramone declaring that the cretinĢƵ wanna hop once again as a new tour begins.
Joined by Steve Soto and Dan Root of the Adolescents on guitars and Pete Sosa of the Street Dogs on drums, Ramone constructs a 12-song set that was written in just two weeks and proves to be a stellar follow-up to 2014ĢƵ “Last Chance to Dance.”
“Without You” possesses a Joan Jett vibe with Kait Eldridge of Big Eyes sharing vocals with Ramone on this tale of separation and a longing to be together once again.
On his first solo album, Ramone penned “Three Angels” in memory off his three fallen bandmates. The latest album features a bass-led, acoustic guitar-driven track that pays tribute to original drummer Tommy Erdelyi, who passed in 2014.
“Yeah Yeah Yeah” carries the standard rebellion charge as Ramone screams, “Don’t want to live by nobodyĢƵ rules.”
Other Ramones-esque tracks include the hilarious “Girlfriend in a Graveyard,” road anthem “Steady as She Goes” and the obstinate “You’ll Never Make Me Believe.”
The album closes with a spirited cover of Tom Waits’ “Pony,” complete with mariachi horns competing to keep pace with the frenzied assault of guitars and drums.
“American Beauty” is an album that Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee and Tommy would have raised a defiant fist to and saluted appreciatively.