Road to Ruin [Expanded]

1	I Just Want to Have Something to Do 2:41
2	I Wanted Everything 3:18
3	Don't Come Close 2:45
4	I Don't Want You 2:26
5	Needles & Pins 2:21
6	I'm Against It 2:07
7	I Wanna Be Sedated 2:29
8	Go Mental 2:42
9	Questioningly 3:21
10	She's the One 2:13
11	Bad Brain 2:25
12	It's a Long Way Back 2:22
13	I Want You Around Bonus Track / Ed Stasium Version / Version 3:02
14	Rock & Roll High School Bonus Track / Ed Stasium Version / Version 2:20
15	Blitzkrieg Bop/Tennage Lobotomy/California Sun/Pinhead/She's the One [L 11:00
16	Come Back, She Cried aka I Walk Out Bonus Track / Demo Version 2:21
17	Yea, Yea Bonus Track / Demo Version 2:08

Barnes & Noble

Released in 1978, the Ramones' fourth album is home to their best-known tune, "I Wanna Be Sedated." The 2001 reissue adds five tracks, including versions of "I Want You Around," "Rock & Roll High School," and the live medley "Blitzkreig Bop/Teenage Lobotomy/California Sun/Pinhead/She's the One," all produced by Ed Stasium for the cult B-movie Rock 'N Roll High School. Also featured are demo versions of "Yea, Yea" and "Come Back, She Cried a.k.a. I Walk Out," both previously unavailable. The CD booklet includes liner notes from Legs McNeil, song lyrics, and lots of photos.

All Music Guide

The loud-and-fast, campy-and-catchy formula began to wear a little thin by the time of the Ramones' fourth album, Road to Ruin. Following the exact same blueprint as its three predecessors, Road to Ruin simply doesn't yield the same results as the other records. In part, it's because the band sounds a little forced on the harder numbers, but the main problem lies with the undistinguished material. "I Wanna Be Sedated" is a classic, and "Questioningly" proves that the Ramones are just as effective when they slow the tempo down, yet much of the record sounds like the Ramones trying to give the people what they want. Since they were still in their prime, such nondescript material sounds good, but the record has neither the exuberant energy or abundant hooks of Ramones and Rocket to Russia, and it's the first suggestion that the Ramones may have painted themselves into a corner. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

All Music Guide

Generally considered the last great album from the Ramones' great period -- the record before Phil Spector "ruined" them and changed the trajectory of their career -- Road to Ruin is given five bonus tracks on Rhino's 2001 expanded reissue. Where the bonus cuts on Rocket to Russia were nice, but not really revelatory, these are all very welcome additions that help enhance the album and clarify the group's history. To start with, there are Ed Stasium-produced versions of "I Want You Around" and "Rock 'n' Roll High School" (both originally released on Rhino's 1999 Hey! Ho! Let's Go anthology) that are cleaner, punchier, better than those on the Spector album. Then, there's a live medley from the Rock 'n' Roll High School album that proves the group could still tear it up live. Finally, the selections conclude with demos of "Come Back, She Cried aka I Walk Out" and "Yea, Yea" (the former previously unreleased), fine catchy songs that may not be knockouts but are certainly good additions to the catalog. To top it off, the disc, like all the other entries in the series, is given a loving booklet with full original artwork, lyrics, liner notes from Legs McNeil, and plenty of rare photographs and memorabilia. All in all, the entire series treats the Ramones' classic period with love, respect, and a healthy sense of fun. Stephen Thomas Erlewine