Wednesday, December 12, 2012

The Alternative Advent Calendar : 11/24

The Ramones - Merry Christmas (I don't wanna fight tonight)



Everyone loves Christmas - FACT. Everyone loves the Ramones - FACT. So the Ramones doing a Christmas song can only be a good thing. 'Merry Christmas....' was tagged on the end of 1989's 'Brain Drain' album, the last full lengther Dee Dee would participate in as a full time member of the band and it's a predictably stellar listen. The Ramones were always big pop fans and this only became more obvious during their flawless run of 80s albums (which I will happily defend as equal to their much-lauded 70s output) so a Xmas tune was well within their remit, especially as they'd already laid down a non-festive full length with the King of Xmas records himself, Phil Spector (his Wall of Sound-tastic 'A Xmas Gift for you' album is possibly the best Xmas record ever and a regular festive hit in our house). The song sounds pretty much like any other Ramones record with a bit of sleigh bells thrown in for good measure but these guys could run through the S Club 7 back catalogue and make it sound cool and they play a blinder here, bringing a much needed bit of punk love to the party and giving you a genuine DJ request option for that office party in the midst of all the Wham, Slade and Shakin' Stevens. Time to lay down your arms, put your differences aside and engage in a festive circle pit around your Xmas tree. 

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