Essential

When you title a Ramones compilation Essential, you'd best be figuring on including the definitive/original versions of their all-time classic tracks ("Blitzkrieg Bop," "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker," "Rockaway Beach," "Pinhead," etc.). So from that standpoint, the 2007 20-track comp, Essential, is certainly a headscratcher -- as it includes mostly the group's latter-day material, and a handful of live versions of the aforementioned classics. That said, if you already own one of the true Ramones collections that includes their essential tracks (like 1999's Hey! Ho! Let's Go: The Anthology, 2006's Greatest Hits, etc.) and are looking for a companion comp of lesser known tracks, Essential may be worth a listen. After all, it does include such standouts as "Pet Semetary" and "Merry Christmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)," as well as live renditions of "Surfin' Bird" and "Chinese Rocks" (the latter track being one that caused quite a bit of controversy among the band -- as explained in the must-see documentary End of the Century). While there are a few gems here, this set certainly sports one heck of a misleading title. ~ Greg Prato