After a sixteen year hiatus, the inventors of new wave in the mid ’70’s are back. Blondie’s seventh album, No Exit, is true to their rock/disco image. It’s good to see a band that was once successful trying to come back without changing their sound to meet popular standards. Some bands attempting to revitalize their careers have gone the electronic route or have attempted to be heavy and intense, but have failed miserably. Any Blondie fan will know by listening to No Exit that the band has not changed; they have improved. The music is much tighter and more developed than that of the older albums. This album exhibits an array of the band’s musical tastes that range from pop to rock, from rap to country.
The title track is a rap piece featuring special guest Coolio. I really like this song because of the eerie mood that is created by the guitar and organ. The mood is similar to that of an old black and white Frankenstein movie. “The Dream’s Lost on Me” offers fans a new angle on Blondie by adding a touch of country.
I think that Debbie Harry’s voice is sexier than ever. “Nothing is Real but the Girl” is a vehicle for her soothing, sexy voice. The background music is jazzy, but Harry’s sweet singing would seduce any man. The first half of No Exit is strong, but the middle of the album sags a bit until the end. The opening tracks, “Screaming Skin” and “Forgive and Forget”, are basically a welcome back nod by the band to Blondie’s loyal fans.
+ larry sarzyniak
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