Given how tremendous an influence the Ramones had on punk, new wave and alternative rock, they were certainly well deserving of a tribute album. Triple X delivered exactly that with 1991's Gabba Gabba Hey, which finds no less than 22 rock acts providing Ramones covers. The collection falls short of being fabulous, although it's well intended and often fun. The CD's most interesting cuts range from Nixon's rockabilly-ish remake of "Rockaway Beach" and L7's Joan Jett-influenced version of "Suzy Is A Headbanger" to the Flower ...
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Given how tremendous an influence the Ramones had on punk, new wave and alternative rock, they were certainly well deserving of a tribute album. Triple X delivered exactly that with 1991's Gabba Gabba Hey, which finds no less than 22 rock acts providing Ramones covers. The collection falls short of being fabulous, although it's well intended and often fun. The CD's most interesting cuts range from Nixon's rockabilly-ish remake of "Rockaway Beach" and L7's Joan Jett-influenced version of "Suzy Is A Headbanger" to the Flower Leperds' snarling take on "Commando." Pigmy Love Circus gives "Beat on the Brat" an inspired heavy metal makeover, while Blast's version of "Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue" bridges the gap between punk and psychedelic hard rock. A few of the tunes are forgettable, but on the whole, this is an enjoyable, if a bit uneven, tribute to one of punk's pioneering outfits. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi
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