Album of the Day

On this day in 1976, the Ramones released their eponymous debut. As befits the first true punk album, it was utterly devoid of pretension; recorded in a little over a week for a little over $6000, its 14 tracks buzz by in a little under half an hour. Though such simple, fast and fun songs as “Blitzkrieg Bop,” “Beat On The Brat” and “Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue” would inspire legions of followers, the Queens quartet also paid tribute to the '60s pop-rock that inspired them with a cover of Chris Montez's “Let's Dance” and the Searchers-esque jangle of their own “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend.” RAMONES didn't make the Billboard Top 100 on original release - it got to #111 - but the set went on to be cited by Rolling Stone and Spin as one of the Top 100 alternative albums of all time.