Shonen Knife, Japan's best-known alternative-rock band, are celebrating their 30th birthday. In honor of this occasion, the influential Osaka trio have a number of anniversary releases planned, the first being "Osaka Ramones," a tribute disc to the iconic American punk group the Ramones.
The album was recorded in Osaka and New York and co-produced by Goo Goo Dolls bassist Robby Takac. The Japanese cover art (top picture) pays homage to the classic 1977 Ramones LP "Rocket to Russia," while the international version is a take on 1978's equally revered "Road to Ruin."
"Osaka Ramones" fittingly starts with the Ramones' debut single, "Blitzkrieg Bop." Played with Shonen Knife's trademark power-pop gusto, their spin is more polished than the original but still retains the cut's energetic edge. It's pretty hard not to want to excitedly shout along as all three women belt out the track's universally adored "Hey! Ho! Let's go!" opening lyrics. Naoko Yamano's vocals and the band's melodic, cleaner sound work really well on "She's the One," adding a much stronger doo-wop feel to the song.
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