Blondie’s Parallel Lines is a study in evolution. Originally a punk rock band with their self-titled debut in 1976, Blondie managed to break out of the underground in the US and make the jump into the Top 40 with the release of Parallel Lines. Adopting elements of New Wave and dance pop, while still retaining the punk rock roots that served as the foundation of the band, Blondie took on new commercial heights under the momentum of New Wave staples “Heart of Glass” and “One Way Or Another”. Fronted by former Playboy bunny and dynamite vocalist Debbie Harry, Blondie had both the raw power and sex appeal of a powerful female vocalist with a ton of grit in her voice to match the incredibly danceable arrangements put together by the rest of the band. Along with the iconic album cover, Parallel Lines was seemingly destined for success right out of the gate. And although the label execs at Chrysalis Records initially thought otherwise (they asked the band to “start over again” when they heard the initial mix) producer Mike Chapman held the line and convinced them otherwise. And the rest was history, with Parallel Lines going down as one of the most iconic power pop records released in the 70’s.
Standout Songs: “Heart of Glass”, “Hanging On The Telephone”, “One Way Or Another”
