Unlike Joey's first solo album, 2002's Don't Worry About Me, Ya Know is less a proper album and more a collection of demos and unfinished recordings. As such the album is a little less cohesive and features a long list of performers. Don't get me wrong, it still sounds great. Joey's brother, Mickey Leigh, plays various instruments on a lot of the songs and also mixed or produced a few of the recording sessions. Longtime Ramones producer Ed Stasium also plays heavily on this disc. Other gust appearances include Steven Van Zandt, Holly Beth Vincent, Daniel Rey and former Joey's former band mate Richie Ramone.
The album starts off great with Rock 'n Roll is the Answer, a catchy tune that sounds reminiscent of what Joey would write with the Ramones. After a few more up beat, Ramones sounding songs, we have Waiting For That Railroad, a simple Joey Ramone love song that starts off a simple acoustic number, with a full band arrangement coming in near the halfway point. Some of the songs, like I Couldn't Sleep or Party Line, are reminiscent of old 1950's rock and roll. The album contains two semi acoustic arrangements of Ramones songs, Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight) and Life's a Gas.
Overall, Ya Know is a must have collection of work from Joey's relatively small post-Ramones output.
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