I've been lazy with my album reviews lately, but I got around to reviewing Blondie's debut album last night and it made me realize how awesome it is.

Here's my review:



Of the many exciting movements in music in the second half of the seventies, punk stands right up there among the most provocative, incendiary and influential. At its genesis, punk was already split between two schools, each of which brought the music world to its knees. In England, bands such as The Clash and The Sex Pistols tuned into the growing chip on the collective youth shoulder to administer politically stabbing social commentary. In the U.S., bands like The Ramones and Blondie exuded their punk attitude in a more accessible, fun way with a keen appreciation of pop music of the 50s and early 60s. On their self-titled debut album, Blondie forges a strong musical and visual path that would eventually them to iconic status.

It is immediately apparent that Blondie came out of the gate firing on all cylinders with talent to spare. What makes their debut album (and subsequent releases) work so well is how they manage to put the pieces together. Each of the 11 songs here takes the best elements of 50s and early 60s music- a strong sense of melody and economic use of instruments- and filters them through a 70s approach by drenching them in sythesizers, hefty riffs and sexual overtones. Common 50s themes of surfing ("In the Sun") and gang melodrama ("A Shark in Jets Clothing") are delivered with the wink of a synthesized bonanza. Elsewhere, "Man Overboard" both cites the band's influences with the trademark delicate 50s background vocals and looks ahead to its New Wave glory.

Of course, it doesn't hurt to have one of the best frontwomen of all time at the helm of the band. Deborah Harry may not be a musician per se, but her witty lyrics and undeniable charm give the songs character and alluring appeal. "In the Flesh" embodies this perfectly. Dreamy background vocals support a coy melody that rides over a 50s shuffle. But this isn't Mom and Dad's Sock Hop fodder- Debbie confesses that she "can't wait to touch you...in the flesh". That her suggestive vocals are cooed almost girlishly makes the song all the more tantalizing. This seductive tease carries over into the sythesized glory of the standout "X Offender" (that's "Sex Offender" to those in the know) and "Look Good in Blue", which sees Debbie offer "some head...and shoulders to lie on". These songs will get in your head and turn you on.

As soon as you think it's all fun and games, though, the band shifts gears. Debbie bares her teeth on the gloriously decadent "Rip Her to Shreds", which reveals that no amount of high fashion glamor can diminish her inner punk as she spews her virulent venom at a not-so-worthy competitor. What else could there be? Duh! An angular, quirky sci-fi epic about an invasion of destructive alien ants, of course! "The Attack of the Giant Ants" closes the album in dramatic fashion.

Blondie stormed out of the gate with their sights set high. On Blondie, it is clear that those goals would be achieved in time. The strong pop sensibilities of the 50s and 60s echoed here make the music memorable and catchy. The band's punk pedigree gave them credibility to kids. The focal point of the band, Debbie Harry is equally deft as a defiant tough girl and as a vulnerable sex kitten who just needs a little coaxing. This near-universal appeal would launch the band into the stratosphere and carve Debbie Harry as the template for many others to follow, including Madonna. The story begins here and Blondie stands as their most cohesive work to date.

Damn, no one?

Classic album! Love it to pieces. Contains a certain little song that I hold dear to my heart.

Great album. Love Blondie.

My God, look at Debbie on that cover!!! Love the music, but I had such a crush on her when I was young. x

Nice review Moonbeam! A little off topic, but I have the Eurythmics first TV performance from UK TV (they did Never Gonna Cry Again) & I swear it's Clem Burke, Blondie's drummer, playing drums.

Plastic Letters is much better.

PhilG said:

It most probably was. Clem was also featured on the Revenge album.

origmnd said:

I would disagree because I think Plastic Letters is a bit schizophrenic, but I love it as well.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Yeah, you know her.

Moonbeam said:

I think it's the cooler album. And the 2 highlights - Presence Dear and Denis beat anything on the first album. But their debut is the more consistent of the 2.

Moonbeam said:

He he Good analysis of the album.



I've never been able to pin one woman as the best front woman. I like Debbie more because I know her work better, but I think Chrissie Hynde is right up there, too. I confess that my familiarity with The Pretenders' work is almost exclusively through their hits, but she gets cited a heck of a lot as an influence on other women in the business. They're both different sides of the same coin - one says "I'm a sexy bitch and I'm gonna rock your socks off," and the other says "Eat my black leather pants while I rock your socks off."



I love In the Flesh. It's a different sort of song for them, but like you said, it's deceptive in its nature. It feels like a throw back, but it's damn naughty. Of their other tunes, the one it reminds me of most is Denis - just as flirtatious as it is sweet. And I like that these lyrics...

She said, "Hands off this one sweetie, this boy is mine."
I couldn't resist you - I'm not deaf, dumb, and blind

...would later be echoed in modified form for the Def Dumb and Blonde album. Thanks for breaking it down!

GangstaFam said:

I've always thought that (I'm Always Touched by Your) Presence Dear doesn't get as much praise as it should. I am the biggest fan of that song. Wanting to bang a ghost is also a strange choice for song theme, but it works for me!

RipHer2Shreds said:

If it weren't for "Dreaming", it'd probably be my favorite Blondie song. LOVE IT!

GangstaFam said:

Dreaming was my anthem for the longest time! It's one of my perfect songs; from the lyrics, the vocals (especially the background "rarityyyyy" and the "Meet! Meet!" parts), the percussion...all of it. Structurally, it's really simple, but it works to the highest degree.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Agreed. That's why I said one of the best and not simply the best. But she certainly deserves mention as one of the best frontwomen, as does Chrissie Hynde.

RipHer2Shreds said:

Awesome, awesome song indeed! A gem among gems and one of their very best!

I wish I could get into Blondie past their greatest hits. I bought Parallel Lines a few years back, but never gave it much play. Maybe now that I'm a bit older and more mature, I should try and get back into the group. Might pick up the album if I see it for a reasonable price.

Axchi696 said:

Moonbeam is certainly drinking their Kool aid. Is this a 5 star album, 5 star songs maybe, not 5 star production, their later albums sound way better and polished. Man Overboard is a great song though.

lilgish said:

Eat to the Beat is the best, though.
[Edited 10/4/05 21:59pm]

lilgish said:

Isn't that the point? It was the punk era after all. And you honestly think their new output sounds better? Polish doesn't make a great record.
[Edited 10/4/05 23:30pm]

I have all the classic Blondie albums but I must admit that I rarely listen to their debut!

My favourite ones are "Eat To The Beat" (I think their best) & Parallel Lines.
And I like "Plastic Letters" better than "Blondie"; "Fan Mail" is one of my fave Blondie tracks!