Track Listing

1. Fan Mail
2. Denis
3. Bermuda Triangle Blues (Flight 45)
4. Youth Nabbed As Sniper
5. Contact In Red Square
6. I'm Always Touched By Your Presence Dear
7. I'm On E
8. I Didn't Have The Nerve To Say No
9. Love At The Pier
10. No Imagination
11. Kidnapper
12. Detroit 442
13. Cautious Lip
14. Once I Had A Love (The Disco Song)
15. Scenery
16. Poets Problem
17. Detroit 442
18. Cautious Lip

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7570 in Music
• Released on: 2001-09-10
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .20 pounds

CD Description
Considered by many to be Blondie's best, their second albumcatches the group poised on the brink of global superstardom. PLASTIC LETTERS' first single, a gender-switched cover ofthe '60s pop hit "Denise" by Randy and the Rainbows, was a massive British hit which went far towards dispelling the band's second-tier status on the New York punk scene.
The rest of the disc improves immensely on their self-titled debut, with sharper songwriting and better production. Jimmy Destri's Farfisa organ is still the band's main musical focal point, but his playing has evolved, along with the melodies, beyond the simple '60s pastiches of the debut. "Youth Nabbedas Sniper" and "Contact in Red Square" continue the band's fascination with trash culture, but the glorious "I'm AlwaysTouched by Your Presence Dear", written by departed bassistGary Valentine, is a genuinely heartfelt, if ironic, love song.

Customer Reviews

You've Got Ants In Your Pants...
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!

Brilliant early Blondie
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.

My all time favourite album!
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.