Blondie
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Against the Odds 1974-1982
published: 7 /
1 /
2023
Nick Dent-Robinson examines a new box set from Blondie, which, as well as containing their first six albums, also includes many unreleased tracks.
Article
At the end of each year a formidable number of box sets and deluxe reissues of past albums appear – and the better ones can certainly make ideal gifts for music lovers.
One reissue that will thrill many is Blondie's ‘Against The Odds 1974 – 1992’ collection. This provides an extensive dive into the Blondie archives, chronicling the band's first six albums with the addition of unreleased out-takes that have apparently been languishing for decades in guitarist Chris Stein's barn. The group's early progress is charted here - from when they were a cornerstone of New York's quite sophisticated “punk” scene through to becoming a global chart-topping phenomenon.
Blondie were always lauded by others in the music world. Madonna called singer Debbie Harry “the coolest chick in the universe”, admiring her delivery of early Blondie numbers as “the epitome of sassy, streetwise style.” Bruce Springfield was another fan as was George Harrison who I recall laughing appreciatively at Debbie Harry's cool delivery of the line “I wanna be a platinum blonde, just like all the sexy stars” on the band's droll ‘Platinum Blonde”’which was one of the first songs Debbie Harry wrote and recorded back in 1975, though it wasn't released until later. George had admiration for Chris Stein's guitar-work and song-writing abilities too.
Blondie were never tethered to their punk roots. They wrote big-selling love songs (often fashionably skewed in style), explored hip-hop and in 1978 they even released a single about telepathy, ‘(I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear/.
Blondie's 1978 ‘Parallel Lines’ album - which contained ‘Hanging On The Telephone’, ‘One Way Or Another’, ‘Picture This’, ‘Sunday Girl’ and ‘Heart Of Glass’ could almost have been a greatest hits record in its own right – and the new box set includes some fascinating out-takes which trace the evolution of ‘Heart Of Glass’ from a blunt punk demo rather unoriginally called ‘The Disco Song’ to the Donna Summer-influenced mega hit we all know and love.
‘Against The Odds 1974 – 1982’ is a wonderful collection covering Blondie's platinum years with all the love and care this phenomenal band deserve.
It is available in various formats - including as a 3 CD set (at £31), an 8 CD set (£80), a quadruple vinyl collection (£85) and as a “super de luxe edition” as big as a small suitcase – (for £247).
Track Listing:-
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