you have a decision to make
If you prefer your rock and roll loud, fast, sloppy, and passionate, then, you are likely to agree with my opinion that the Ramones are far superior live than they were in the studio. So, when you are ready to purchase a Ramones' album, make sure it is a live performance and not a studio album or a greatest hits collection. You have a choice to make...

Stay away from Loco Live. The one good thing about that cd was that, because it was recorded in 1990, it has some good songs that aren't on the two CDs I'll mention soon. For instance, "I Wanna be Sedated", "KKK Took my Baby Away", "Rock and Roll Radio", "Wart Hog", etc. Besides for that, Loco Live is inferior in every way to two other live albums you should choose from.

IT'S ALIVE and Live January 7, 1978 at the Palladium, NYC have much in common. In case you didn't know, It's Alive was recorded on New Year's Eve, London, 1977. NYC 1978 was recorded a week later at the Palladium in New York City. The exact same set of songs are to be found on both of the albums. The set contains all the early hits of the Ramones first three studio albums. Live, the songs are played (1) faster, (2) looser...basically it sounds like punk rock.

Personally, I would get both of the above mentioned. But if you have to get just one, then you have a decision to make.

NYC 1978 has far and away the better sound quality of the two. If `lo-fi' recordings are not your thing, go with NYC. Joey's vocals are louder and more distinguishable -- more distinct from everything else. Theirs less crowd noise than there is in It's Alive. The rhythm section is similarly more prevalent in the NYC recording. It's Alive is dominated by treble-heavy guitar riffs; everything seems to bleed together into one loud and fast noise. It's merely speculation, but perhaps they were f***** up on New Year's Eve.

The New Years may be the more inspired performance. Risks were taken; Joey alters the timing of his delivery: an experiment that produced the best renditions of their songs to be found anywhere. Personally, I like the Lo-Fi - I think it works perfect for the Ramones.

I like It's Alive better. But I also know people who hate It's Alive, but like the NYC live. You can sample a small clip of each (either on Amazon, or i-tunes); a small sample is all you will need to tell which one you will prefer.

Best Ramones album?
Hard to say, the first 4 are so great and there are other great ones, too. Either way, this is an absolutely essential purchase. It's often overlooked on the list of classic live albums (Kick Out The Jams, No Sleep Til Hammersmith, Grand Funk's Live Album). The energy is over the top. If you never saw the Ramones they really were this tight, played the songs this fast (and faster later on to fit more in the set) and played this many in a row without stopping. Incredible!

Check out Mighty High...in Drug City.

One-dimensional yes, but ONE HECK OF A DIMENSION!
The Ramones really seem to polarize listeners more than just about any band I've ever heard. Either you love em', or it's the worst thing you've ever heard. I can't tell you how many times my high school friends---small town would-be musos, wasting their time learning Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam songs---trashed these guys with the "can't play" argument. Well, okay, maybe I'll concede that Johnny never seemed to learn how to play the guitar riff to "California Sun," but here he is playing it anyway. Really, what the Ramones were all about was bringing back the fun and excitement to rock and roll in the face of 70's dreck like the singer-songwriters and progressive "rockers." The impact of the Ramones in the 70's can't be denied, especially live. From what I've read, people literally could not believe what they were seeing. You can get a sense of that from the studio albums, but you REALLY get it here. The Ramones finest moment? Maybe---maybe not. One of rock and roll's best ever live albums? Definitely.

Great Live Album {Its Like Its Alive}
Screams Sound Susserations of Beat Prose The Flow Of Words.Perfect Live album For The Ramones Alot Of Hits Great Perfomance Hands Down If You Like The Ramones You MUST have This Album.....Pogo

The Best Band Of All Time: 6 STARS
There was an old saying, "Before The Ramones,There Was Nothing" well, Im 43yrs. old now,and I have learned that there is nothing, AFTER, the Ramones either.GOD I miss these guys so much it hurts.Cant wait to see you guys on the other side. Till then...1,2,3,4!!!!HEY HO LETS GO!!!