Baker's Dozen

Artists discuss the 13 records that shaped their lives

12. The RamonesPleasant Dreams

The Ramones are quite a cartoon-friendly band and I thought they’d have more illustrated sleeves. Pleasant Dreams is always the album of theirs that gets overlooked even though it’s got some great really poppy, bubblegum songs on it in the style for which they’re known for. And it kind of looks like a Saul Bass cover. When I was a kid it was my favourite Ramones record, with songs like ‘You Sound Like You’re Sick’. Just brilliant. How many times can you say "this record’s good" as a reason for liking it? I guess I’ve found there are two types of people: people who find a record, really love it, and don’t want anyone else to hear it. Then there are other people that find a record, love it and are almost baffled as to why more people haven’t heard it and make it their mission to spread it around. And I guess I’m the second type. Pleasant Dreams is one that I was sort of confused as to why it wasn’t mentioned more.

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