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Brats on the Beat: Ramones for Kids
2006
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Various - Brats on the Beat: Ramones for Kids (Cover Artwork)


Review by: Ben_Conoley
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Ramones (Logo)

Published on August 7th 2007

Ah, tribute albums. There aren't too many tribute albums that leave a good flavor in people's mouths. What usually seems like a promising collection of songs by bands covering a great band normally ends up resulting in an album that's half-uninspired note-for-note covers and half-terrible re-compositions. Brats on the Beat is neither of those, but it isn't something I'm going to run to, probably ever, or at least until I have kids.

Sure, I'm not the target demographic for this collection of Ramones songs covered by singers from popular punk bands and a collection of adorable kids to help out. The album covers all the Ramones hits including "Blitzkrieg Bop," "Rock N' Roll High School," "Rockaway Beach," and a slew of other classics.

I had some hopes for this album since it involves some singers from my favorite bands, including Matt Skiba and Greg Attonito. Of course, I should have known that I couldn't possibly have really gotten into this. After all, it's the Ramones for kids. Weren't the Ramones simple enough for kids to begin with?

Most of the songs are slowed down and cleaned up versions of the Ramones' hits. They've got a friendly vibe and a mix of adult and kid singing -- I can't believe I'm typing this -- but this isn't fun to listen to unless you're driving a mini-van to school with a bunch of kids. The problem with this album is that it doesn't even work in theory. I suppose it could win over kids aged 2-5, but after that they're not going to be interested in kid songs (are they?) and once they are ready for music, you might as well give them the real Ramones, at least if you want to stop them from buying a Panic! at the Disco album. You see what I mean? Parents aren't going to listen to this on their own; they've got a small window where their kids might get into it, and then it's done. But I suppose that's the way it is with kids at that age -- you've got to buy new shoes and pants every couple of months, right?

I don't have any kids (that I know of!), so maybe I'm not able to see the big picture here, but as a Ramones fan and a fan of some of the bands represented here (Pennywise, Alkaline Trio, Bouncing Souls, Queens of the Stone Age...) I can't see myself listening to this more than this review requires. So I suppose if you've got to leave right now to take your child to daycare, stop and buy this CD. Otherwise there's no point.






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    Posted by Teena on 2007-08-12 13:22:55
    My Score:

    I was listening to the real Ramones album when I was a baby. I really dont see the need to "dumb" or "kid" down the Ramones. But hey, I dont have kids so eh' maybe I dont see the big picture

    Posted by Scruffy on 2007-08-10 11:59:47

    It's not that this isn't enjoyable for adults.
    It's not that it makes me respect the artists who participated less.
    It's that this is a product and absolutely nothing more. A way to cynically manipulate the American mindset of "Even if I already have it, I'll buy it again if it's got different packaging!" Anyone who would buy this already has Ramones albums that their kids will enjoy. There's no need to dumb it down for them. That kind of aimless pandering is why kids are so selfish and whiny nowadays. I never needed to hear other kids singing along poorly to a song to enjoy it. I think, even at 5, that would've been an insult.

    Posted by damnitsderek on 2007-08-10 08:55:35

    Review Bananaphone next.

    Posted by SilentStorms on 2007-08-09 18:32:37
    My Score:

    Great review! Well thought out. Score is for the Ramones ... oooooooooh.

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 9, 2007 at 12:15 PM (EDT)

    Terrible Twos > This

    - JD

    Posted by SteeevePerry on 2007-08-09 05:53:38
    My Score:

    Seriously, what did you think it was going to be like? Did you EXPECT to enjoy this album, knowing it was aimed at toddlers and would sadden Ramones fans? Please tell me you weren't expecting big things from this........

    Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, August 9, 2007 at 5:26 AM (EDT)

    g a y

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 9:37 PM (EDT)

    "Btw, for those that are unaware, 2:37

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-z3OL94isk"

    Oh my god, that just caused me to crap my pants with laughter.

    Posted by facetofacereunion08 on 2007-08-07 18:45:44
    My Score:

    It's Ramones for Kids. not for you. I mean I wouldnt listen to a raffi tape and like it, but thats cuz its not for me. stupid choice for a review.

    Posted by stevejonestherealbones on 2007-08-07 11:19:11

    i dont really get this. pretty much all ramones songs are for kids anyway. not in a bad way like "ramones is for kids cuz the suck, suckas" but really, ive never met a little kid that didnt start dancing when the ramones are on.

    kids like simple pop songs and thats what the ramones wrote, the only thing that makes this more for kids is the packaging

    - jones the bones

    - stevejones8770@yahoo.com

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 4:03 AM (EDT)

    The production ont the kids' voices makes them sound so artificial, almost inhuman. It's scary. That said, this isn't all that bad, except for the obvious factor of "why would you listen to this over the originals?"

    I know I grew up listening to the Ramones - most of their songs are plenty kid-friendly anyway.

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 3:36 AM (EDT)

    Obviously, this poor excuse for a writer has a bias towards Kidz Bop. I know nothing will ever top this, but for the love of god, it's meant for little kids. Get over yourself and realize your dream of writing for Pitchfork just wasn't meant to be.

    Btw, for those that are unaware, 2:37

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-z3OL94isk

    Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at 2:39 AM (EDT)

    "meh, i thought it was cute."

    ballsy dude....ballsy. using the word cute will get yer balls chopped off around here, boy.

    Posted by kingofsuck on 2007-08-07 01:06:32

    The review failed to mention that money from this goes to St. Jude’s. It's a good cause and it's worth listening to at least once if you're a Ramones fan (and who isn't?).

    On that note, I got this for my five-year-old brother and sister around the time it came out. The kids' singing on it is creepy as hell.

    Posted by GlassPipeMurder on 2007-08-07 00:42:16
    My Score:

    meh, i thought it was cute.

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