Zonked

Album Review

Zonked, by Dee Dee Ramone, has all the elements of a Ramones album but lacks the same kind of spark. For a Ramones album to be labeled a classic, the album always includes at least one anthem, one song that stands out and typifies the Ramones style and attitude. The song on Zonked that comes closest to reaching these lofty standards is "I Am Seeing UFOs," which includes Joey Ramone on vocals. "I Am Seeing UFOs" has the signature sound that the rest of the tracks on the album seem to be aspiring to. Throughout the album, each track has that distinct lyrical style that made the Ramones a revolution in music: simple, plain statements that capture the imagery of adolescents without flaw. In "Get Out of My Room," Dee Dee passes off the vocals to his wife, Barbara Ramone, which is a perfect move. The song could have easily come off as a self-parody, but allowing his wife to sing the song gives it a very innocent and tender feeling. The track has a very distinct Ramones-meets-"The Girl From Ipanema" kind of edge to it. Barbara sings on other tracks on the album, but none is as fitting as "Get Out of My Room." Dee Dee Ramone's songs are simple and sweet but cannot match the high standard he set while writing songs for the Ramones.