What is the best album by the Ramones?

Short, fast, loud, and perfectly formed — fourteen studio albums full of buzzing guitars and nasal anthems that invented a genre and never once apologized. Which is the essential Ramones record?

1

Ramones

The Ramones' revolutionary 1976 self-titled debut, launching punk rock in under 30 minutes of buzzsaw guitar riffs and two-minute songs.

2

Rocket to Russia

The Ramones' perfect 1977 album balancing pop hooks and raw punk energy, featuring 'Sheena Is a Punk Rocker' and 'Teenage Lobotomy'.

3

Leave Home

The Ramones' rapid 1977 follow-up continuing the debut formula with more sharp melodic punk songs including 'Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment'.

4

Road to Ruin

The Ramones' 1978 album stepping up musicianship with longer songs, power ballads, and country influences showing surprising versatility.

5

End of the Century

The Ramones' 1980 Phil Spector-produced album creating an unexpected collision of punk and Wall of Sound pop production.

6

Too Tough to Die

The Ramones' 1984 album marking a fierce back-to-basics hardcore statement with Richie Ramone on drums that reestablished their punk credibility.

7

Pleasant Dreams

The Ramones' 1981 Graham Gouldman-produced album featuring a slicker, more radio-friendly pop-punk sound that divided the fanbase.

8

Mondo Bizarro

The Ramones' 1992 well-received comeback album blending classic punk energy with some of their most diverse and inspired songwriting.