Music review: Blondie 鈥� 鈥楶ollinator鈥�
To be totally honest, I really wasn鈥檛 expecting to hear new music from Blondie in 2017. And while I was aware of the group鈥檚 2014 鈥淕reatest Hits Deluxe Redux/Ghosts of Download鈥� that consisted of both previously released and brand new material, it did nothing to renew my interest for the new wavers.
With Blondie鈥檚 11th studio album, I now have a reason to smile. 鈥淧ollinator鈥� features original members Debbie Harry, Chris Stein and Clem Burke delivering arrangements that exude a charismatic bite and stylish attitude found on earlier hits such as 鈥淐all Me鈥� and 鈥淗anging on the Telephone.鈥�
At age 71, Harry is still the face, voice and heart of the band. She still sounds terrific with her commanding presence that lets everyone know who is in charge.
Adding to the buzz of 鈥淧ollinator,鈥� various artists such as Charli XCX, Sia, Johnny Marr, Dev Hynes of the Blood Orange, Nick Valensi of the Strokes and TV on the Radio鈥檚 Dave Sitek contribute to several of the album鈥檚 11 tracks.
鈥淒oom or Destiny鈥� is reminiscent of 鈥淒reaming鈥� as it opens with an appearance by Joan Jett and carries Blondie鈥檚 vintage vibe of synthesizers, guitars and Harry鈥檚 glorious hypnotizing voice that also packs a slight punch for emphasis.
鈥淟ong Time鈥� mirrors the infectious flow of 鈥淗eart of Glass鈥� as it soars and swirls under Harry鈥檚 delicate direction.
鈥淔un鈥� is a disco charmer outlining when too much fun isn鈥檛 really fun at all as Harry seductively sings, 鈥淵ou know the problem with you/You鈥檙e too good to be true.鈥�
鈥淗uman beings are stupid things when we鈥檙e young,鈥� declares Harry on the Marr penned 鈥淢y Monster.鈥� I don鈥檛 know about you, but I can completely relate to that message.
Other standout tracks include 鈥淏est Day Ever,鈥� 鈥淕ravity鈥� and the country-tinged 鈥淲hen I Gave Up on You.鈥�
The set closes with a haunting performance featured on 鈥淔ragments,鈥� leaving little doubt that Blondie still brings a lot to the party and is sure to be the center of attention one way or another.