Subterranean Jungleis the seventh studio album by the Americanpunk rockbandRamones,released bySire Recordson February 23, 1983. Overall, the album featured a return to a somewhat more hard punk rock style compared to the band's previous two albumsEnd of the Centuryin 1980, andPleasant Dreamsin 1981, which were the mostpop-focused of the band's career. This direction was encouraged by guitaristJohnny Ramone.The recording sessions saw disputes between band members, mainly due to struggles with alcohol addiction byJoey RamoneandMarky Ramone,and thedrug addictionofDee Dee Ramone.
| Subterranean Jungle | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio albumby theRamones | ||||
| Released | February 23, 1983 | |||
| Recorded | October 1982[1] | |||
| Studio | Kingdom Sound,Syosset, Long Island | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 33:21 | |||
| Label | Sire | |||
| Producer |
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| Ramones chronology | ||||
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| SinglesfromSubterranean Jungle | ||||
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The album begins with twocover songs,and features a third on side two. The band's signature punk rock is supplemented by touches of hard rock, andpsychedelic rock.The album was deemed by critics to be a return to the band's roots, and received mostly positive reviews.Subterranean Junglepeaked at number 83 on the USBillboard200,but failed to chart internationally. The singles released from the album did not chart. This is the last album by the band to featureMarky Ramoneon drums until the 1989 albumBrain Drain.It is the first album by the band to feature vocals from someone other than Joey Ramone, with Dee Dee Ramone singing lead on "Time Bomb", as well as the bridge of "Outsider".
Conception
editCompared to their previous two albums,Subterranean Junglemarked a shift back to the band's punk rock roots.Johnny Ramonefelt as though the band needed to "be focused and stop worrying about getting played [on the radio] and just make a good record."[3]Lead singerJoey Ramonewas given less stylistic freedom than on the previous two releases, and the album was shaped mostly by Johnny's preference for harder rocking material.[3]
I guess I felt a little sort-changed before. I was just writin' a lotta diverse stuff and maybe I felt I was gonna get restricted, I dunno [sic]. Now that we've done it and we've been playing around for about a month, though, we're unanimous. 'Cause it has that real edge again, it has a real powerful sound—somethin' we lost a little on the last two albums.
Three of the four members of the band, Johnny being the exception, were facing issues with addiction. Both Joey and drummerMarky Ramonewere dealing withalcoholism,while bassistDee Dee Ramonewas severely addicted tococaineand was undergoingpsychotherapeutictreatment. Since the Ramones' previous two releases had producers which proved disappointing to the members, they were skeptical of the producer forSubterranean Jungle,Ritchie Cordell.[5][6]Marky relates: "I hated the production, I hated the producer."[7]
The artwork forSubterranean Junglefeatures an image of the band inside a subway car. The photograph was taken by George DuBose at the subway station on57th Street and Sixth Avenuein Manhattan. This cover concept was designed by Dubose, who suggested that since theBSixth Avenue Expresstrain stopped at the empty station for about 20 minutes.[8]In the photograph, Marky is featured peering out the subway window—Marky was positioned this way after Johnny asked DuBose to do so, because "they were kicking him out of the band, but he didn't know it yet."[9]Marky recalled that he "liked that shot, but [he] knew something was up."[9]
"I was lying on my bed, watchingKojakwhen Joey calls me and says, 'Mark, I feel bad about this, but, uh, you can't be in the band anymore.' I deserved it. Joey was okay about it, but the others, forget it. No one called me after that. If it was today, Joey would've said, 'Why don't we take off for a month and you get sober?' But I didn't want to tell Joey or the band about my being in rehab, because I would've been admitting my guilt. "
— Marky Ramone[9]
The internal conflicts during recording sessions would cause band members to fire Marky during the album's recording, consequently substituting him with drummer Billy Rogers on "Time has Come Today."[7]Johnny recounts, "We were having trouble with Mark because his drinking problem was really bad. So we did" Time Has Come Today "with a different drummer, Billy Rogers, fromWalter Lure's band. "[10]"Time Has Come Today" became the Ramones' only song to involve three drummers: Marky Ramone on the album credits, Billy Rogers on the recording andRichie Ramonein the music video.
Compositions and lyrics
editThe album opens with twocover songs;the first, "Little Bit O' Soul",popularized bythe Music Explosionin 1967, was originally written byJohn CarterandKen Lewis,and the second, "I Need Your Love", was first performed by the song's writer Bobby Dee Waxman in local New York band the Boyfriends in the late 1970s.[11]Subterranean Jungleis the first Ramones' release to begin with a song not written by the band. This track list structure was criticized by authorEverett True,who said that it was "disorientating."[5]Johnny also thought that the fact that the album featured three covers was a bad idea, saying, "we shouldn't have, but I was happy with the guitar sound on it."[10]The album's third track, "Outsider", was written by Dee Dee and, in 2002, it was covered byGreen DayonShenanigans.[12]"What'd Ya Do?" was track number four, and was described by music journalistChuck Eddyas "crudely metallic."[13]Eddy also deemed the next track, "Highest Trails Above", as "AOR-mystic. "[13]"Somebody Like Me" was called a "full-on rock anthem" by True, who went on to say that the lyrics contained "no-nonsense lines."[14]
Side two of the album begins with "Psycho Therapy", which was written by both Johnny and Dee Dee; the song has since grown into one of the Ramones' most popular songs. Dee Dee recalled: "I knew we needed a real 'Ramones song' for the album, and I knew [Johnny] was depressed about how things were going. He needed that song to get excited about the band again,"[4]while Johnny stated, “I wanted to do a hardcore song to show the hardcore people that we can play as fast or faster than they can. Nobody plays faster than us.”[16]The next track is another cover song, "Time Has Come Today", which was originally recorded in 1967 by thesoul musicgroupthe Chambers Brothers.The Ramones' version of the song featured apsychedelic rockinfluence, and was said by Eddy to have more of a "garage" feel to it, as compared to the original.[13]"My-My Kind of a Girl" was directed specifically toward the band's female fandom. The lyrics were written by Joey about meeting a girl on8th StreetinManhattanand wanting to spend his life with her.[7]InVanity Fair,the song was regarded as a "lingering affection forPhil Spector's pop grandeur. "[17]Dee Dee's "Time Bomb", which was track number eleven, was said by True to be "more ridiculous than frightening."[7]The album concludes with "Everytime I Eat Vegetables It Makes Me Think of You", which was said by author Todd Anderson to be a "sing along."[18]
Release and reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [19] |
| Robert Christgau | A−[20] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [21] |
| Spin Alternative Record Guide | 4/10[22] |
Subterranean Junglewas released bySire Recordsin February 1983.[23]In a contemporary review forThe Village Voice,music journalistRobert Christgauwrote that despite containing two inferior pieces ( "Highest Trails Above" and "I Need Your Love" ), the album is "more worthy of an audience than anything they've done in the '80s."[20]Stereo Reviewmagazine strongly recommended it to "headbangersof all ages "as" a textbook Ramones album "whose unintellectual lyrics about mental illness and drug abuse" can actually be refreshing. "[24]The album peaked at number 83 in on theBillboard200in the US, but failed to chart elsewhere.[25]Neither of the album's singles— "Psycho Therapy" and "Time Has Come Today" —charted.[26]
In a retrospective review forAllMusic,authorStephen Thomas ErlewinecalledSubterranean Junglethe band's "most enjoyable record sinceRocket to Russia,"and said that the producers" steered the Ramones back toward the '60s pop infatuation that provided the foundation for their early records. "[19]He ended his review by stating that it may not be defined as the "strictest sense" of punk rock; however, he strongly suggested that the band had not sounded so "alive" since their earlier days.[19]Douglas Wolk,writing inThe Rolling Stone Album Guide(2004), was less enthusiastic and called it an "attempt at radio-friendly production," with a series of cover songs that "almost recasts the group as an oldies act."[21]In a 2004 interview forNew Yorkmagazine, Johnny Ramone graded the album a "B" and said that he was pleased with its guitar sound, despite the three cover songs, while remarking "I was watching theBrewers-Cardinals World Serieswhen we were recording it. "[27]
Track listing
editThe following track listing can be verified through theSubterranean Jungleexpanded editionliner notes.[28]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Little Bit O' Soul" | Ken Lewis,John Carter | 2:43 |
| 2. | "I Need Your Love" | Bobby Dee Waxman | 3:03 |
| 3. | "Outsider" | Dee Dee Ramone | 2:10 |
| 4. | "What'd Ya Do?" | Joey Ramone | 2:24 |
| 5. | "Highest Trails Above" | Dee Dee Ramone | 2:09 |
| 6. | "Somebody Like Me" | Dee Dee Ramone | 2:34 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7. | "Psycho Therapy" | Dee Dee Ramone,Johnny Ramone | 2:35 |
| 8. | "Time Has Come Today" | Willie Chambers,Joseph Chambers | 4:25 |
| 9. | "My-My Kind of a Girl" | Joey Ramone | 3:31 |
| 10. | "In the Park" | Dee Dee Ramone | 2:34 |
| 11. | "Time Bomb" | Dee Dee Ramone | 2:09 |
| 12. | "Everytime I Eat Vegetables It Makes Me Think of You" | Joey Ramone | 3:04 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Indian Giver"(original mix) | Bobby Bloom,Ritchie Cordell,Bo Gentry | 2:45 |
| 14. | "New Girl in Town" (album outtake) | Ramones | 3:33 |
| 15. | "No One to Blame" (demo) | Ramones | 2:24 |
| 16. | "Roots of Hatred" (demo) | Ramones | 3:36 |
| 17. | "Bumming Along" (demo) | Ramones | 2:20 |
| 18. | "Unhappy Girl" (demo) | Ramones | 2:20 |
| 19. | "My-My Kind of Girl" (acoustic demo) | Joey Ramone | 3:10 |
- Notes
- Track 13: a different mix was issued as the B-side of the UK single "Real Cool Time"in September 1987.
- Track 14: previously unissued.
- Tracks 15–19: previously unissued. Recorded at Daily Planet Studios, New York City, July 1982.
Personnel
editThe following credits are adapted from AllMusic.[19]
Ramones
- Joey Ramone– lead vocals (tracks 1–10, 12)
- Johnny Ramone– guitar
- Dee Dee Ramone– bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals (track 11), co-lead vocals (track 3)
- Marky Ramone– drums (tracks 1–7, 9–12)
Additional musicians
- Walter Lure– additional guitar
- Billy Rogers – drums (track 8)
Production
- Ritchie Cordell– production
- Glen Kolotkin – production
- Ron Cote – engineering
- Stuart J. Romaine – mastering
- George DuBose – photography
- Tony Wright– cover art
Charts
edit| Chart (1983) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USBillboard200[29] | 83 |
References
editCitations
- ^True 2005, p. 177.
- ^"Discografie Ramones".Dutch Charts.RetrievedApril 18,2022.
- ^abcBowe 2010, p. 66.
- ^abBowe 2010, p. 67.
- ^abTrue 2005, p. 177.
- ^Porter 2004, p. 104.
- ^abcdTrue 2005, p. 180.
- ^Leigh 2009, pp. 227–228.
- ^abcLeigh 2009, p. 228.
- ^abRamone 2012, ch. 11.
- ^Blush 2016, p. 150.
- ^Myers 2006, p. 189.
- ^abcEddy 2011, p. 34.
- ^True 2005, p. 179.
- ^Thompson 2000, p. 581.
- ^McNeil, Legs."The Ramones: Our 1986 Cover Story".Spin.com.RetrievedFebruary 5,2020.
- ^"Ramones - Subterranean Jungle".Vanity Fair.Vol. 46.Condé Nast.1983. p. 34.
- ^Anderson 2006, ch. 5.
- ^abcdErlewine, Stephen Thomas."Subterranean Jungle – Ramones | Albums | Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards | AllMusic".AllMusic.Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^abChristgau, Robert(April 26, 1983)."Christgau's Consumer Guide".The Village Voice.New York.RetrievedApril 30,2014.
- ^abWolk 2004, p. 675–6.
- ^Sheffield, Rob(1995). "Ramones". InWeisbard, Eric;Marks, Craig (eds.).Spin Alternative Record Guide.Vintage Books.pp. 320–22.ISBN978-0-679-75574-6.
- ^Ramone 2002, p. 237.
- ^"Recordings of Special Merit".Stereo Review.48.New York: 90. 1983.
- ^"The Ramones US albums chart history".allmusic.com.RetrievedDecember 23,2010.
- ^McNeil, Legs; Holmstrom, John (August 1986). "We're A Happy Family".Spin.2(5): 78.
- ^"Johnny Ramone Grades the Ramones".New York.March 18, 2012.RetrievedApril 30,2014.
- ^Subterranean Jungle(expanded)(Compact Disc). Ramones.Rhino Records.2002. R2 78157.
{{cite AV media notes}}:CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^"Ramones Chart History (Billboard200) ".Billboard.Retrieved 22 April 2018.
Bibliography
- Anderson, Todd (2006).Barry's Cherries.iUniverse.ISBN978-0-595-39495-1.
- Bowe, Brian J. (January 2011).The Ramones: American Punk Rock Band.Berkeley Heights, New Jersey:Enslow Publishers.ISBN978-0-7660-3233-0.
- Eddy, Chuck(2011).Rock and Roll Always Forgets: A Quarter Century of Music Criticism.Duke University Press.ISBN978-0-8223-5010-1.
- Leigh, Mickey(1994).I Slept with Joey Ramone: A Family Memoir.Touchstone Books.ISBN978-0-7432-5216-4.
- Myers, Ben (2006).Green Day: American Idiots & The New Punk Explosion.Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari.ISBN978-1-60925-898-6.
- Porter, Dick (2004).Ramones: The Complete Twisted History.Plexus Publishing.ISBN978-0-85965-326-8.
- Ramone, Dee Dee(2002).Legend of a Rock Star: A Memoir.Thunder's Mouth Press.ISBN1560253894.
- Ramone, Johnny(2012).Commando: The Autobiography of Johnny Ramone.Abrams Books.ISBN978-1-61312-181-8.
- Thompson, Dave (2000).Alternative Rock: Third Ear – The Essential Listening Companion.BackBeat Books.ISBN978-0-87930-607-6.
- True, Everett(2005).Hey Ho Let's Go: The Story of the Ramones.Omnibus Press.ISBN978-1-84449-413-2.
- Wolk, Douglas(2004). "The Ramones". InBrackett, Nathan;Hoard, Christian (eds.).The New Rolling Stone Album Guide(4th ed.).Simon & Schuster.ISBN0-7432-0169-8.
- Blush, Steven (2016).New York Rock: From the Rise of The Velvet Underground to the Fall of CBGB.St. Martin's Press.ISBN9781250083623.