Blondie (album)

Infobox Album
Name = Blondie
Type = Album
Artist = Blondie


Released = December 1976
Recorded = August–September 1976 at Plaza Sound Studios, New York
Genre = Punk rock
New Wave
Length = 33:25
Label = Private Stock Records
Chrysalis Records
Producer = Richard Gottehrer
Reviews =
* Allmusic Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:keu1z81ajyv5 link]
* Robert Christgau (B+) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Blondie link]
Last album = —
This album = "Blondie"
(1976)
Next album = "Plastic Letters"
(1977)

"Blondie" is the eponymous debut album by American New Wave band Blondie, released in 1976 on Private Stock Records. The first single "X-Offender" was originally entitled "Sex Offender" but since radio stations would not play a song with such a controversial title, the band renamed the song. After disappointing sales and poor publicity, Blondie was dropped from the label. Chrysalis Records then signed the band and re-released the album in 1977, along with single "Rip Her to Shreds". "X-Offender" was used as one of the B-sides to this single that starts with a seductive Debbie Harry speaking vocals to a beat reminiscent of a song by a girl group from 1960s. The other B-side is a romantic ballad "In the Flesh" (also their first hit in Australia), with backing vocals by songwriter Ellie Greenwich. "Rifle Range" was the UK B-side to "Heart of Glass" in 1979.

The album was first digitally remastered by Chrysalis Records UK in 1994. In 2001 the album was again remastered and reissued, this time along with five bonus tracks. "Out in the Streets", "The Thin Line" and "Platinum Blonde" are three of five tracks from a 1975 demo recorded by Alan Betrock, all five were first issued on the 1994 compilation "The Platinum Collection". "X-Offender" (Single Version) and "In the Sun" (Single Version) are the A and B side from Blondie's first single, issued on minor label Private Stock, and are different mixes than the album versions. The two Private Stock versions are both remastered from vinyl.

Track listing

# "X-Offender" (Deborah Harry, Gary Valentine) – 3:14
# "Little Girl Lies" (Harry) – 2:07
# "In the Flesh" (Harry, Chris Stein) – 2:33
# "Look Good in Blue" (Jimmy Destri) – 2:55
# "In the Sun" (Stein) – 2:39
# "A Shark in Jet's Clothing" (Destri) – 3:39
# "Man Overboard" (Harry) – 3:22
# "Rip Her to Shreds" (Harry, Stein) – 3:22
# "Rifle Range" (Stein, Ronnie Toast) – 3:41
# "Kung-Fu Girls" (Destri, Harry, Valentine) – 2:33
# "The Attack of the Giant Ants" (Stein) – 3:34

;Bonus tracks (2001 CD re-issue)
#

"Out in the Streets" (1975 Demo) (Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich) – 2:20
# "The Thin Line" (1975 Demo) (Harry, Stein) – 2:16
# "Platinum Blonde" (1975 Demo) (Harry) – 2:12
# "X-Offender" (Private Stock single version) (Harry, Valentine) – 3:13
# "In the Sun" (Private Stock single version) (Stein) – 2:38

Personnel

* Deborah Harry - vocals
* Chris Stein - guitar, bass guitar
* Gary Valentine - guitar, bass
* James Destri - piano, Farfisa organ, Roland synthesizer
* Clement Burke - drums
* Ellie Greenwich - backing vocals
* Micki Harris - backing vocals
* Hilda Harris - backing vocals

Production

* Richard Gottehrer - producer
* Originally released on Private Stock (2023) in January 1977, reissued on Chrysalis (1165) in September 1977.
* Kevin Flaherty - 2001 re-issue producer

Chart peaks

*Australia: 14
*UK: 75