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Amazon.co.uk Review
Blondie's second album, like pretty well all Blondie's other albums, is a beguiling agglomeration of absolute genius singles (in this case, "Denis", "(I'm Always Touched) By Your Presence Dear" and "Detroit 442"), and album tracks that vary between the half-formed and the altogether bizarre (in this case, "Youth Nabbed As Sniper", "Contact In Red Square" and "Bermuda Triangle Blues"). Altogether, there's everything here that made Blondie one of the very finest things ever to call itself a pop group: a delight in the naive melodies of Motown; an instinctive empathy with the then-emerging New York punk scene; and a sense of adventure that none of their contemporaries could touch (to even admit to an interest in disco and electronica, never mind display them as influences, was regarded at the time as heresy). There is even a track called "I'm On E". In 1978. Years ahead of their time, in all things, as ever. --Andrew Mueller
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is one of my favourite Blondie album's although ever since its release it seems to have attracted mixed reviews. Mike Chapman had yet to get his hands on the group so there is a 'rawness' here that was replaced by slick production come Parallel Lines.
The best track here has to be (I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear - by the very talented Gary Valentine - he also wrote the great bonus track 'Scenery' - which didn't make the original recording due to Debbie's 'weak' (according to Mr Valentine) vocal. I kinda like the way she sings it though!
I love 'I didn't have the nerve to say no' - it's up there with 'Kung Fu Girls' for energy. Speaking of which - 'I'm On E' refers to Empty - energy wise, and is a great track. 'Youth Nabbed As Sniper' and 'Fan Mail' are both great tunes and of course 'Detroit 442' is always a popular choice. Their cover of 'Denis' remains as fresh as the day it was recorded whilst 'Contact In Red Square' reminds us this was an album recorded in the 70's.
I would recommend this album to any Blondie newcomer and advise them to buy 'Blondie' at the same time!
The best track here has to be (I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear - by the very talented Gary Valentine - he also wrote the great bonus track 'Scenery' - which didn't make the original recording due to Debbie's 'weak' (according to Mr Valentine) vocal. I kinda like the way she sings it though!
I love 'I didn't have the nerve to say no' - it's up there with 'Kung Fu Girls' for energy. Speaking of which - 'I'm On E' refers to Empty - energy wise, and is a great track. 'Youth Nabbed As Sniper' and 'Fan Mail' are both great tunes and of course 'Detroit 442' is always a popular choice. Their cover of 'Denis' remains as fresh as the day it was recorded whilst 'Contact In Red Square' reminds us this was an album recorded in the 70's.
I would recommend this album to any Blondie newcomer and advise them to buy 'Blondie' at the same time!
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Released in 1978, Blondie's second album is rawer and rougher
around the edges than the also excellent debut. It has a
darker The Doors/The Velvet Underground/The Stooges influence.
There are some lighter songs, however, in the UK No 2 hit
"Denis" and Debbie's hilarious solo composition "Love At The
Pier".
Keyboard player Jimmy Destri's "Fan Mail" opens the album.
Delivered from a fan's point of view, it ends in wedding bells
and an anguished cry. His other songs on the album include
the one night stand "No Imagination", the rockabilly "Kidnapper"
and the Chris Stein co-penned "Detroit 442", a tribute to
working class Detroit and Iggy Pop ("Jimmy O").
Guitarist Chris's contributions include "Bermuda Triangle Blues"
and "Youth Nabbed As Sniper" (the latter based on the then current
Son Of Sam killings in New York and reminiscent of Jim Morrison's
"The Lords" poetry.) "Cautious Lip" a Ronnie Toast (a poet
friend of the band)/Chris Stein psychadelic/Velvets number
closes the album.
Clem Burke's drumming is frequently impeccable and always
exciting throughout the album and Debbie gives great growl
and sass throughout. This was the album that started to
get Blondie some attention and success in the UK and as
their punkiest album it deserves to be heard by anyone who
enjoys the current punk style of The Strokes and The Hives.
around the edges than the also excellent debut. It has a
darker The Doors/The Velvet Underground/The Stooges influence.
There are some lighter songs, however, in the UK No 2 hit
"Denis" and Debbie's hilarious solo composition "Love At The
Pier".
Keyboard player Jimmy Destri's "Fan Mail" opens the album.
Delivered from a fan's point of view, it ends in wedding bells
and an anguished cry. His other songs on the album include
the one night stand "No Imagination", the rockabilly "Kidnapper"
and the Chris Stein co-penned "Detroit 442", a tribute to
working class Detroit and Iggy Pop ("Jimmy O").
Guitarist Chris's contributions include "Bermuda Triangle Blues"
and "Youth Nabbed As Sniper" (the latter based on the then current
Son Of Sam killings in New York and reminiscent of Jim Morrison's
"The Lords" poetry.) "Cautious Lip" a Ronnie Toast (a poet
friend of the band)/Chris Stein psychadelic/Velvets number
closes the album.
Clem Burke's drumming is frequently impeccable and always
exciting throughout the album and Debbie gives great growl
and sass throughout. This was the album that started to
get Blondie some attention and success in the UK and as
their punkiest album it deserves to be heard by anyone who
enjoys the current punk style of The Strokes and The Hives.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Less polished than the megaselling Parallel Lines, this 1977 album nevertheless perfectly encapsulates the pop side of New York punk in its catchy pop-rock tunes. Besides the hits Denis and (I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear, other great songs include Fan Mail, the wistful Bermuda Triangle Blues and I Didn't Have The Nerve To Say No. The song I'm On E now sounds strangely prophetic although I think they were referring to the vitamin. The marriage of sometimes witty, always intelligent lyrics and clever melodies make a classic album that has aged very well. The bonus tracks add value so this is definitely a great buy.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Blondie become more than just a pretty face
Less than a year after their quirky self-titled 1976 debut, Blondie returned with the stronger, punkier `Plastic Letters', complete with their pop trash culture influences solidly... Read more
Published 10 months ago by B. S. Marlay
SIMILAR TO THE PHOTOS - BUT DIFFERENT
The Photos (CD)Crystal Tips and Mighty Mice
I am going to keep this review very simple and short in the hope of encouraging sales of the 2 CDs by The Photos by people... Read more
I am going to keep this review very simple and short in the hope of encouraging sales of the 2 CDs by The Photos by people... Read more
Published on 30 May 2010 by Mr Paul Savory
I'd forgot how good this was !
Forget Parallel Lines and most of what followed - this is Blondie at their best.
A cracking 2nd Album that although matured from the eponymous 1st album loses none of the... Read more
A cracking 2nd Album that although matured from the eponymous 1st album loses none of the... Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2009 by Gary
SUPER STYLE
"PLASTIC LETTERS"GREAT VARIATION WITH THIS CD.BLONDIE AND THE BOYS DO LET THE HAIR DOWN WITH THIS COLLECTION.BIT OF A DIFFERENT SHUFFLE. Read more
Published on 14 Aug 2008 by D. A. Bush
Sounds even better now!
Less polished than the megaselling Parallel Lines, this 1977 album nevertheless perfectly encapsulates the pop side of New York punk in its catchy pop-rock tunes. Read more
Published on 18 Mar 2006 by Pieter
Blondie's darkest album : pure new wave !!
Denis and Presence Dear the two British top 10 hits and major hits all over Europe are well known. The rest on Plastic Letters is new wave at it's best !!! Read more
Published on 24 Sep 2004
Decent early Blondie: be sure it's this bonus track version
"Plastic Letters," Blondie's second album, released in October 1977, was pretty much in a similar vein to their self-titled debut album. Read more
Published on 19 July 2004 by Lawrance M. Bernabo
Blondie's punk roots show through in one of their best!
1977’s ‘Plastic Letters’ was Blondie’s second album and is definitely one of my favourites. Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2003
PLASTIC BLONDIE AND ASSORTED LETTERS
People forget that Blondie were a Punk Band, in fact they were one of the 6 Original Punk Artists. Plastic Letters is truly their best at Punk. Read more
Published on 16 July 2003 by Ashley Blair
Best Blondie album ever !
Plastic Letters...is the best Blondie album ever (no less) : from the perfectly b movie-esque sleeve (let's face it : Debbie Harry has never looked so good, in a cheap sleazy way)... Read more
Published on 24 Oct 2001
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