Released October 13, 2003 Length 65:19 Artist Blondie Label Epic/Sony Records | Recorded 2003 The Curse of Blondie
(2003) Panic of Girls
(2011) Release date 13 October 2003 | |
 | ||
Producer Steve Thompson
(except "Good Boys", produced by Jeff Bova) Genres Rock music, New wave, Pop music, Post-punk revival Similar Blondie albums, Pop music albums | ||
Blondie 01 shakedown 2003 the curse of blondie
The Curse of Blondie is the eighth studio album from the American rock band Blondie. It was released in October 2003, and peaked at #36 in the UK.
Contents
Background and recording
The band departed from bankrupt Beyond Records and signed with Sony Music. The Curse of Blondie had the working title Phasm 8, which was also the name of the tour they were doing before the release. Craig Leon, who had also produced their previous hit album No Exit, started work on the album, but it was four years in the making as the only demo tapes of the album had disappeared from luggage at a UK airport, and so had to be re-recorded. Leon ultimately did not produce the album, which was largely helmed by Steve Thompson with Jeff Bova producing only one track, "Good Boys".
The album incorporates a rock-inspired arrangement style more reminiscent of Blondie's earliest recordings. Rhythms played include mostly rock ("Golden Rod, "Rules for Living", "End to End", "Hello Joe", "Last One in the World", "Diamond Bridge") and then dance-pop ("Good Boys", "Undone", "The Tingler"). Other incursions are Japanese traditional music ("Magic (Asadoya Yunta)"), reggae ("Background Melody (The Only One)"), jazz ("Desire Brings Me Back", "Songs of Love (For Richard)") and rap ("Shakedown"). The track "Hello Joe" is an homage to Joey Ramone, and includes a reference to "Blitzkrieg Bop" ("hey ho, hola Joe instead of hey ho, let's go).
Release
The album was released with various bonus tracks in some territories, while the US edition included the music video for the single "Good Boys". The album was also re-released in 2004 in US on DualDisc format. The CD side contained the normal album, while the DVD side included:
- Entire album in 5.1 Surround Sound and Stereo
- "Good Boys" music video
- Photo gallery
- ROM content
The only single from the album was "Good Boys", which peaked at #12 in the UK and was a dance hit in the USA. Promo singles of "Undone" were sent to radio, but no official release was made.
Reception
The Curse of Blondie gained mixed reviews, some critics called it a good or very good album, while others said it was a downfall for the band. Despite the relative success of the "Good Boys" single, the album performed poorly, peaking at #36 in the UK and #160 in the United States.
Personnel
Production and design
Songs
1Shakedown5:06
2Good Boys4:19
3Undone4:28