Classic Albums: Blondie- Parallel Lines

Cover photos: Edo Bertoglio

If you don’t like Blondie’s Parallel Lines, we really need to talk. It’s lightning in a bottle. Few new wave, typically Noo Yoik bands can make punks, family weddings, trendy Gen Z kids, and yr mum alike, shake it. Who hasn’t had a wiggle to their cover of The Nerves’ Hanging On the Telephone or the bubbling, disco-tastic Heart Of Glass ? 

This, their third album, produced by the legendary Mike Chapman in June 1978, is just at home with a snarling, morally dubious song about a stalker like One Way Or Another, as swooning, sixties-influenced tracks like Pretty Baby or Sunday Girl.  The underrated Fade Away and Radiate is both sexy and poignant, a melancholic yet menacing new wave song showcasing Harry’s impressive vocal range.

Harry’s voice is simply one of the best pop voices of all time. She can purr, growl or hit really high creamy notes, and make it sound effortless.  There is not a bad track on it, and it’s both high gloss, and full of  ‘don’t mess’ attitude.

The iconic cover art by Edo Bertoglio sets out its stall- the dapper band look like a strange new wave gang heading to a meeting, helmed by a badass lady, elegant but tough. A bit like Parallel Lines. It’s timeless, and flawless.

 

http://www.blondie.net