10 Perfect Albums That Defined The 1970s
3. The Ramones, Ramones (1976)
If there was one genre that really took off in the '70s, it was punk rock. From the hard rock that proceeded it, to the reining political establishment, it showed distain for everything that seemed outdated.
The Sex Pistols pioneered a rebellious hatred for authority. And, The Clash exhibited punk's ability for addressing social issues. But the Ramones' first record, gave both bands the blueprint for how to deliver their respective messages.
The subject matter of the album, didn't deal with anything overtly political, and there was no discernible over riding message. The lyrics were either nonsensical cobbling togethers of chant-able phrases, like Blitzkrieg Bop. Or they were observations about American life in the '70s . Beat on the Brat, was written about Joey's distain for raucous bratty children. Havana Affair reflected the rising paranoia retaining to the Cold War. But the lyrics acted more as conduits for attitude, rather than anything else.
The only message the group really conveyed, was that rock could be played by anyone; it just needed to be raw, fast, and unapologetic. Welcome to punk rock.