The personality divisions are on painful display here. Joey's desire to make the band grow and expand exploded on the political roar of "Bonzo Goes To Bitburg" and the Phil Spectoresque "She Belongs To Me." Then Johnny, who was fighting for the band to stay hard, gives a classic Ramones song with the title cut and "Freak Of Nature." But the schizophrenic rifts are obvious and ultimately sink the album.

On the bright side, this album is a triumph for caught-in-the-middle Dee Dee, who makes the leap to great songwriting with "Bonzo" and "Something To Believe In." The latter has the yearning that makes Beach Boys songs timeless and showcases Joey's voice perfectly. "Love Kills" gave him another chance to sing after the surprise of "Wart Hog." And new member Richie hits the mark with his first Ramones contribution, "Somebody Put Something In My Drink."

This is not the worst Ramones album ("Brain Drain" wins that title), but it's the most inconsistent. For me, "Animal Boy" was where the four star and perfect records stopped....for awhile, anyway.

When life is sh*t, this does the trick
We all know that this is the Ramones album the spawned the minor hit Bonzo Goes to Bitburg, la de da de da. But look folks, the Ramones are not just a stupid poppy punk band; they really do have a lot to say. (Critics) read between the lines and you'll see how they and this album in particular speak to the outsiders and outcasts of the world. Let me digress: the title track. Just listen to those amazing lyrics! I know a couple people who will remain nameless that I'd like to blast that song into the ears of. Somebody Put Something in My Drink and Hair of the Dog are great frat house, or alone-in-the-house anthems to getting drunk. Apeman Hop and Freak of Nature are battle cries to us Spazzes and Pinheads. She Belongs to Me is about that girl you really like who choses the other guy (don't think I don't know what that's like). Crummy Stuff and Mental Hell, oh yeah! speak for me brother Joey! And Something to Believe In is when everything just plain sucks but you still have hope that it can and will get better. Not to be forgotten in the roster are the Dee Dee vocalized Love Kills (why the hell wasn't it used in the Sid & Nancy flick?) and Eat That Rat, a just as good as any thrasher. So you see, the Ramones may not speak to you or your clan, but there are those of us that their songs, and especially this album hits right home. Gabba Gabba y'all.

Great Album from the Greatest band
This is one of the Best Ramones albums, The Production is not bad, there is a little too much "synth" of some songs, like "She Belongs to Me", which is not a bad song but it is probably my least favorite slow Ramones song and the production makes it sound pretty weak, but thats alright.
Other songs like "Somebody put something in my Drink" and "Love kills" (which has the greatest "punk" riff ever), "Mental Hell" and "Animal Boy" totally make up for any weakness.

The Synths do sound great on "Something to believe in" and "Bonzo goes to Bitburg", which is one of the greatest Ramones songs.

Dee Dee sings on "Love kills" and "Eat that Rat", "Love Kills" is an amazing song and "Eat that Rat" is O.k.,

"Hair of the Dog" is a great song although it doesn't really stand out, and "Crummy Stuff" is also a great song that doesn't really stand out to me. "Apeman Hop" is another great song which would be greater without the Tarzan Backing vocals,
But I like it anyway.

This album has some of my Favorite Ramones songs. like
"Bonzo Goes to Bitburg"
"Mental Hell"
"Love Kills"
"Somebody put something in my drink"

The rest of the album is great, the only Filler is "Freak of Nature", which is really cool, but kind of weird.
and "Eat that Rat", which is also really cool in its own way.
There is no BAD song on the album, and I listen to it all the time.
If you're looking to buy a Ramones album from the Late 80's era, than I suggest this one first.

good..
at first listen i did not enjoy this album at all,but after getting into it for awhile,i think it's a gem. It might not be as good as Too Tough to Die but its way better than Halfway To Sanity(worst Ramones album IMO).None of the tracks here suck probably the intro of Apeman Hop is the only thing that might make u think twice

trash
This a lame, lame Ramones record. The only good tune is My Brain Is Hanging Upside Down. I can't believe anyone bothered to reissue this on cd. You are a complete sucker if you buy this cd.