By: Blondie Average Rating: Binding: Audio CD Format: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered Label: Capitol Number of Discs: 1 Release Date: September 11, 2001
Amazon.com: Until 1978, Blondie was perceived mostly as a '60s-referencing, British-Invasion-meets-girl-groups band. With veteran producer Mike Chapman at the helm for their third album, though, everything changed for this group bred from the New York punk scene. Honing in on Blondie's strongest points--Deborah Harry's come-hither vocals and Clem Burke's powerhouse drumming--Chapman helped recast the band to the power pop side of new wave, and with impressive results. Driven by the punk-meets-disco chart-topping hit, "Heart of Glass," and the herky-jerky "One Way or Another," as well as a muscular cover of the Nerves' "Hanging on the Telephone," Parallel Lines established Blondie as major stars. --Billy Altman
Amazon.com: Until 1978, Blondie was perceived mostly as a '60s-referencing, British-Invasion-meets-girl-groups band. With veteran producer Mike Chapman at the helm for their third album, though, everything changed for this group bred from the New York punk scene. Honing in on Blondie's strongest points--Deborah Harry's come-hither vocals and Clem Burke's powerhouse drumming--Chapman helped recast the band to the power pop side of new wave, and with impressive results. Driven by the punk-meets-disco chart-topping hit, "Heart of Glass," and the herky-jerky "One Way or Another," as well as a muscular cover of the Nerves' "Hanging on the Telephone," Parallel Lines established Blondie as major stars. --Billy Altman
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Album Description: Japanese pressing of the 1978 album has been digitally remastered with four bonus tracks and comes packaged in a miniature LP sleeve. Virgin. 2006.
Album Details: Japanese Limited Edition Issue of the Group's Album Breakthru Classic (2001 Remaster) in a Deluxe, Miniaturized LP Sleeve Replica of the Original Vinyl Album Artwork.
I Was Never The Same... ..after seeing those lines and hearing that music.
Anyone who has ever heard Parallel Lines from start to finish should be affected by it as well. Opening with telephone buzz and breaking into the punky new wave "Hanging On The Telephone" through 12 songs of neon nuances, organ bounces, sultry cooing and downright new wave genius this is arguably one of the best albums released ever, and that comes from other real critics and not just my blonde head.
When I first saw Debbie Harry on TV singing; I was transfixed. I had to know who she was, what she was, where she was. Once again my Aunt Sarah stepped in by having the Parallel Lines album since they had done a cheerleading routine to "Heart Of Glass", I stole that record from her and I've never looked back.
The rocking jaunt of "One Way Or Another", the 60's popness in "Sunday Girl", the gloomy "Fade Away And Radiate", "11:59", "Will Anything Happen?", "I'm Gonna Love You Too" - there isn't a bad song on this bunch.
In fact, I used to act out the entire album from beginning to end in my room. There was also one of my neighbor's neices who bought the album and brought it to the the house where I insisted I knew all the words - they laughed at me until they started following along on the lyric sheet while I sang. That's how cool of a kid I was!
Just listen to some of the amazing lyrics and the incredible music and you'll be hooked too - "Your mouth is permanently entrenched where a molar should be" - how frickin' cool! Parallel Lines made me want to be a singer, it made me want to write songs, it made me proud to be blonde, and it made such an effect on me I can't go without it for more than a few months without pulling it out and playing it from start to finish all over again. And now there's a brand new 30th anniversary addition out and Deb & The Boys are doing the album live on tour! It doesn't get better than that.
Blondie Most Iconic Release Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/REGH8YU0Z2R31 My name is Jeremy Gloff. I am a musician and retro music enthusiast. If you enjoyed this review make sure to check out my Amazon user profile to check out my other reviews. I am always up for making new friends and discussing the music I love!!! Blondie rules.
A 70s Icon If you follow my reviews, you know that King Diamond is one of my all time favorites. I also really like EXODUS and Bon Jovi. I have respect for Britney Spears. I am not the biggest Blondie fan, but I don't deny that her "Parallel Lines" record is a real masterpiece. (A fine piece of 70s history!) 'Hanging On the Telephone' is a great intro to her record. 'One Way Or Another' is a powerful song with a rocky edge. (For the record, she sang this song when she was the guest star on the "Muppet Show.") 'Picture This' and 'Fade Away' are nice. 'Pretty Baby' is alright. 'I Don't Know' is alright. '11:59' keeps the good tone of the record and maintains its edge. 'Will Anything Happen?' also keeps the energy levels of the record up. 'Sunday Girl' has a nice pleasant sound to it. 'Heart of Glass' is not my favorite, but I understand it was a major hit. 'I'm Gonna Love You Too' has a nice energy as well as a rocky edge. 'Just Go Away' is a powerful song that ends the record on a high note. While I will probably always lean towards heavy metal records like Bon Jovi's "7800," King Diamond's "Conspiracy," or Exodus's "Temp of the Damned," the reality is that other things are nice too. And Blondie's "Parallel Lines" is a GREAT record that is pleasant with just the right amount of a rocky edge. It is a real masterpiece and a fine piece of the 70s.
stood the test of time Sure there are a few legitimate crits one can lay against Blondie. The band members werent the greatest musicians except for the drummer and Ms Harry's voice is fine but limited. But the band 100% shines here. Every track is a (slightly twisted) pop gem. The lyrics are often wry and funny or other times campy and weird. Decades have gone by and this CD still sells exceedingly well in the UK. The USA never quite seemed to "get" Blondie I think in part because we in the US didnt understand that the lyrics were ironic and tongue-in-cheek. Other Blondie CD's are good too, expecially their first self-titled album and Eat to the Beat, but this is the album that memorably defined their style.
KIDS, THIS IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS...WHICH IS GREAT!!! This is the shining crown in Blondie's very impressive collection of recordings. From start to finish, this album is a thrill ride and it rightfully cemented Blondie as the Kings and Queen of the New Wave. There are so many hits it's practically a greatest hits collection in of itself - Sunday Girl, Heart of Glass, Picture This, Hanging On the Telephone and of course One Way Or Another. The songs that weren't singles on the album could have been! This album taught the world was NYC downtown cool was all about. Parallel Lines sounds as fresh today as it did in 1978. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!