Curse of Blondie

I'm usually very skeptical when bands from the 70s and 80s attempt a reunion and a "comeback" to the current scene of music. Even though the bands die hard fans will love whatever they release, the truth is, those "comeback" albums are usually painful and embarrassing affairs. The album will be out of sync, out of touch and and only a hollow hint at what made the bands good back in their day. I am very happy, pleased and surprised to report that "The Curse of Blondie" is that rarest of rare exception. This album not only fits in very snug with the current music scene, it also happens to seem ten steps ahead and pointing to what the next big thing will be......and it's the latter that made Blondie such a unique group in the 70s. (Please note that I'm not going to even mention 1999's lackluster "No Exit.") To begin with, and I'll make no bones about it, Debbie Harry's glorious voice has aged a little and appears huskier. Where this would be a kiss of death to most female singers, Debbie obviously works harder and has a few tricks up her sleeve to assure the listeners that her voice is no doubt one of the greatest female voices in Rock's history. Her hard efforts pay off beautifully. As for the songs, and as with any Bondie album, we are offered such a wide range of styles and arrangements, that this album can not be classified in any specific genre of music. On "Curse," we have the Rap, the Rock, the Pop, and the Techno blended in with a tad of Jazz, to give we Blondie fans a buffet of music to satisfy all of our tastes. Also, as with any Blondie album, not all of it works, but, being that this band has the courage and audacity to push the bounderies and experiment, never playing it safe like the vast majority of artists do these days, is at once admirable and appreciated whether you like the song or not. With this CD, the listener can feel the excitement and the artistry at work, as opposed to the "we're only in it for the money" feeling you get from most current acts. Personally, I feel the stand out tracks on "Curse" are:1. Good Boys - One can not ask for a finer "Euro-trash" dance number. Where this type of song usually ends up being cold and mechanical, Blondie adds their stamp of fun and depth to make it a killer track.2. Rules for Living - Quite simply, a stunning, beautiful and haunting song.3. Undone - a unique song that gives a sample of that undefinable core sound that is Blondie's roots. This is one of those rare tracks that will grow on you and get more impressive and complex with each listen.4. Diamond Bridge - the most unusual coming of age song I've ever heard. Again, this song may have to grow on you, but, once it does, it's intelligence and depth will be with you forever.5. Magic - this song is pure Debbie, and the fans know what I'm talking about. In others hands, it would have been pretentious, but, Debbie puts "magic" into this Japanese Folk standard and makes it her own....and that's saying quite a lot.6. Golden Rod - Bar none, this is the absolute best song I've ever heard concerning the dreaded Golden Rod weed....lol....this song rocks out in Blondie fashion.....and only they could have pulled it off.7. Background Melody - Almost a toss away number, saved by Debbie's soothing grace.8. Last One in the World - This song's intro is a killer, very edgy and hard, but unfortunately, they blow it with a complete turnaround that makes the song dissolve into something that doesn't match the intro. Too bad, for it would have been a scorcher.Considering that this band is 28 years old, it is truly amazing what they accomplished with this album. There's freshness and innovation at every turn, and in all honesty, there's not really a out-right "bad" number on the entire album. The four key members of Blondie prove that they are a very talented bunch, and, that if your heart is really into music, your desire and ideas will never run out. With this CD, they really deserve the opportunity to Blondie-ize a whole new generation.

This cd was supposed to be released in 2001 after working on it after the No Exit cd was already done and charted. This was to be produced by Craig Leon and when the Beyond records label fell apart and he then sued not only the company but the group as well-----the band started over again with some basic tracks now produced by Steve Thompson and Jeff Bova. Steve Thompson began his career as a dance remixer before moving on to producing more rock and metal cds. So the combination of Blondie and Mr. Thompson bring together a great combination. The first single "Good Boys" was produced by Jeff Bova and is a great combination of dance /rock that suits not only the band but hopefully radio. The best track on the cd is "Undone" this is Classic Blondie- smart,hook filled and in your face. This must be a single or I will revolt !!!Too good for words . You know a Blondie cd is gonna be good when Debbie writes the majority of the songs-10 of the 14 songs are hers lyrically. The first track is "Shakedown" and is a crunchy/raunchy rap /sung song about a bad relationship and New Jersey. "GoldenRod" rocks hard,"Rules For Living" is like "Origins Of Love" from Hedwig in that it is a love song told in mystical lyrics- just stunning. "Background Melody(The Only One)" is similar to Portishead/Massive Attack songs -in that it fuses reggae but with a more dubby/rock vibe thrown in. Debbie's vocals are a little different on this song(even more higher vocally than normal). The song is so catchy. The weirdest song on the cd is "Magic(Asadoya Yunta)"which is based on a traditional Okinowan folk song(which is what is says on the booklet) and is starting to grow on me.Then back to the great "End To End" and the romantic Debbie of solo works like "Maybe For Sure"--beautiful song. "Hello Joe" is a fun and light song. "The Tingler" is the only Harry/Stein song on here and is typical of their work from before- smart ,funny,catchy and based in Sci-Fi. "Last One In The World " is a Jimmy Destri track that is very aggressive. "Diamond Bridge" is a Harry/Destri song that is toooooo good for words. Awesome song. "Desire Brings Me Back" begins with saxs going and then kicks a rock beat. For some reason it reminds me a Doors or classic rock song from the 70's --just builds and is very one of a kind. The final track is "Songs Of Love" and is drop dead gorgeous. Jazz influenced you get to hear Debbie full out vocally and then some. Tremendous. The cd on a whole is one of the best work they have done and is more rock(with heavier guitars )than No Exit but in an era of crap vocalists the Fact that Debbie Harry at 58 can come out and rock harder than Michelle Branch, Avril Lavigne or the loser Hilary Duff shows that once the best always the best. This cd must be released in the US soon. This is too good not to. Buy this cd! You will not be sorry. It rocks. Deborah Harry is God!!!!!

This is the US release of the so far only worldwide release of the new Blondie cd The Curse Of Blondie. I have previously reviewed the import version and still think this is one of their best albums. I have bought the UK,Australian and Argentinian cds as well as the cd singles for "Good Boys" from the same countries as well as a promo cd single and commercial 12" single from the US with mixes by Norty Cotto. The release will follow a blitz of the group on TV with apperances on VH1 Divas Live,The Today Show, The View,Craig Killborn,Good Day Live and others . Track "Good Boys " is the lead single and so far sits at number 7 on the Billboard Club Charts. I have played this cd since I first got it in September and it still sounds fresh and alive. There are at least 5 singles off this cd: "Undone","Rules For Living","Background Melody(The Only One)","Shakedown" and "Songs Of Love" to follow "Good Boys". This really doesn't have a bad track on it and if you love smart,fresh, daring and really great music then you will love this cd a lot. Unlike most music out there today it isn't cookie cutter teen music or rap or goth rock. It seems to be alive and fun and yet keep what Blondie is all about. "Hello Joe" is more of a love song to Joey Ramone and "Desire Brings Me Back" still reminds me of a Doors song and "Golden Rod" still rocks the hardest . Buy it for the fact it is really a great collection of smart and fun songs from the best band on the planet. Blondie still rocks!!!!!!

A varied and (again) genre hopping collection, with some real standouts and also some definite filler. Rather more rock heavy than their previous post-reunion album, yet still a real mix including a pro-Jersey rap, ballad, jazz etc. Definitely more classic Blondie than the other post-reunion albums. I would argue this 'Curse of Blondie' is actually poor studio mixing and production coupled with lousy management rather than the quality and calibre of the artists and their material. Check out live clips from the time, some of the tracks are virutally unrecognisable in a live concert setting.Standouts - Undone (which was slated to be the second single), Golden Rod, Last one in The World.

Good mix of songs and easy to listen to

If you are a Blondie fan, this may well be a "must have", but just a heads up: All the tunes on this album are more "mellow" than the band's higher energy early hits, such as "Call Me". If you appreciate the softer music from Blondie, this album will appeal to you.

Ich habe alle Alben von ihr. Auch ihre Solos. Es ist schwierig zu sagen welches ist das beste. Alle sind Sehr sehr gut. Aber so nach heutigem Feeling oder Zeitgeist finde ich dies am schönsten, obwohl ja nun auch schon mehr als 10 Jahre alt. Zeitlos. Schön. Sehr zu empfehlen. Es ist kein Lied drauf was nicht gut rüber kommt. Kein einziges.

didn't expect a decent newer release from Deborah Harry, aka Blondie, but there it was. This disc is a DVD Audio on one side and the saturation is audible. Great stuff Debbie, with a cupple of cutting numbers.