Blondie- Panic Of Girls (EMI)

And, 35 years after their debut album, Blondie bring forth Panic Of Girls, their first new album since 2003’s The Curse Of Blondie.

And how does Debbie Harry and company fare in their 5th decade? Pretty damn well. Along with original member Clem Burke (drums) and of course Chris Stein (guitars), Blondie has released an album that would have fit perfectly in their late 70’s- early 80’s heyday.

Opening with “What I Heard” – the first lyrics heard are “Same old song and dance” – while the subject matter is about relationships, it could certainly refer to this album. Not there is ANYTHING wrong with that. It works.

We used to call this stuff new wave- heavy on the synthy keyboard hooks, guitar fills and of course, Debbie Harry’s still ethereal vocals. The title song “Panic Of Girls” being example “a”.

The first single is “Mother”- pretty similar to these ears to their last big radio push “Maria”. Only reason this wouldn’t be a big hit is ageism on radio’s part- it certainly holds up to anything GAGA, Perry, ad nauseum have done. And if Blondie is gonna rip off anyone, at least they are copying themselves!

The downside.. “The End The End” – weak ass echoes of No Doubtish easy listenin’ ska (yeah – I know, Blondie did it first). “Sunday Smile” is weaker still. Blondie’s been doing the world beat/ Caribbean/ afro thang since pretty much forever… just wish it was a little livelier. Better is “Girlie Girlie” which has more energetic calypso.

“Le Bleu” is french pop and “Mirame” is Spanish or Italian (I flunked foreign languages (I guess their tryin’ to hit every market)?

A return to form, nothing earth shattering, but an album that shows the band has still got whatever they had back in the day. They c ertainly have not embarrased themselves with Panic Of Girls, I just wish it rocked a little more and rolled a bit less.