The Ramones' first studio album, released in 1976, was titled Ramones.
Sire Records issued the album on 23 April 1976. It introduced the band's fast, concise songwriting and helped establish the stripped-down New York punk sound. The original record contains fourteen songs, including "Blitzkrieg Bop," "Judy Is a Punk," "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend," and "Beat on the Brat."
The album was recorded in a short session at Plaza Sound in Manhattan, with Tommy Ramone producing. Its songs were generally brief, direct, and built from simple guitar riffs, which contrasted with the longer and more elaborate rock productions common at the time.
A frequent mix-up is confusing the self-titled debut with Rocket to Russia, which was the Ramones' third studio album, or Leave Home, their second. Although the debut did not initially sell in large numbers, its influence grew substantially and it is now regarded as a foundational punk album.