Too Tough to Die

by

Ramones

Edit

"The solution to peace isn't clear,

the terrorist threat is a modern fear."

No, that's not from a new 2004 song...that was Dee Dee Ramone writing "Planet Earth 1988." As he made abundantly clear on "Jungle," he was becoming the Ramones' new secret weapon, either penning or co-writing nine tracks on "Too Tough To Die." If the heaviness of "Mama's Boy" or the obvious band statement of the title track didn't get you, then nothing could. Even the obvious bids for radio acceptance, "Howling At The Moon" and "Chasing The Night," were as good as anything from the brilliant "Rocket to Russia."

Producers Tommy (Ramone) Erdelyi and Ed Stasium probably had a better understanding of a Ramones sound than anyone outside the band, so they fit "Too Tough To Die" like naturals. Johnny's guitar is prominent, new drummer Richie Ramone gave the band a much needed power shot in the arm. Joey hadn't sounded this committed vocally since "End Of The Century." Listen to the way he attacks "Mama's Boy" and the bonus remake of "Street Fighting Man." Even Dee Dee's vocals on his drug addled "Wart Hog" and "Endless vacation" added an air of fresh vitality to the band.

The Ramones may have been fractious for the previous three albums, but during the sessions for "Subterranean Jungle," Dee Dee and Johnny overcame their differences and became friends again. While that didn't save "Jungle," it sure did jazz up "Too Tough To Die." The most vital of their 80's output, this caught the band at their 10th anniversary and tackling mature issues. "Too Tough To Die" was the Ramones re-staking their place in the Rock and Roll hierarchy at the time when U2 and the Clash were making commercial inroads and social statements. It remains the last truly classic Ramones album, every bit as essential as those first four albums and proof that punk rock could grow up.