10 Albums That Changed The Face Of Rock Music

Whether you were part of the original '70s wave, the '80s underground hardcore scene, or the pop punk revival of the '90s, it all leads back to this record.

The Ramones had been knocking about on the New York scene for a few years, playing in a similar circle to groups like the Talking Heads. But no one was playing as hard or fast as these guys. When they finally scored a record deal they created the single most important album in the genre.

Dee Dee Ramone's bass, in particular, informed the group's sound. There's barely any space in between the notes he played. It was a constant rumbling presence, ever noticeable in the mix. Johnny's thrashing guitar parts were exclusively made up of aggressive downstrokes. His technique was rhythmic and there was no space for wild solos or intricate riffs. Joey's lyrics were awash with tales of the gritty New York streets, covering themes of prostitution, punk violence, poverty and fascism.

The combined effort all but birthed punk. Although British acts like Sex Pistols and the Clash were active during this time, they were yet to release any albums. After the sound of the Ramones reached their ears, they knew how to proceed.