To my mind a cover version that sounds just like the origional is a bit pointless, the best cover versions are when the song is done in a very different style or completely re-interpreted. First prize on this album would have to go Marilyn Manson's version of 'The KKK Took My Baby Away', instead of being the funny punk song about the KKK, he has made it dark and hauntingly eerie. The Chilli Peppers certainly made 'Havana Affair' their own and the Tom Waits 'Return Of Jack & Judie' is another gem (the Ramones had covered his song 'I Don't Wanna Grow Up). The Pretenders slowed 'Something To Believe In' right down but it's just plain boring. Most of the rest of the album is fairly straightforward covers but done well none the less. Eddie Vedder, the former president of the Ramones fan club, belts out a well sung version of 'I Believe In Miracles' and Bono (who claims that it was a Ramones record that first got him interested in Rock'n'Roll ) does a melodic version of 'Beat On The Brat'.

Offspring attempt a straight cover of 'I Wanna Be Sedated', a song about someone who simply can't wait for the next 24 hours to pass, such is their excitement that they wanna be sedated. Instead of singing '24 hours TO go' they sing '24 hours AGO'.. Idiots!

Before I wrote this I asked myself 3 questions. Would I recommend someone who had never heard the Ramones to buy this as opposed to say the Ramones Anthology? Seeing as all the Ramones songs sound so alike on first listen I'd have to say yes and after hearing this they'd almost certainly check out the real thing.

What would Ramones fans think of it? If they are anything like me they would listen to it over and over again whilst making a mental note to re-visit their Ramones collection sometime soon.

Would Joey and Dee Dee approve? If they get to hear it, I bet they'll be busting with pride!

(Partial proceeds from the sale of the album will benefit the Lymphoma Research Foundation)