Music: Going After the Real Nuts

The Ramones join with Phil Spector to top off the new wave

Two things may help, at least initially. First, while considering the new Ramones album, End of the Century, a kind of LP Hellzapoppin, grab a scorecard. A pencil would help too.

The Ramones is a wonderfully zany new-wave band from the nether suburbs of Manhattan. (Now, pencils up.) The moniker shared by Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee and Marky gives the group its cozy familial name, although—pencils ready—none of the Ramones is related. In fact—start writing! —none of the Ramones is a Ramone. Joey...