Parallel Lines
Blondie
1978
Album Summary
Parallel Lines is the third studio album by American rock band Blondie, released on September 23, 1978, by Chrysalis Records to international commercial success. The album reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom in February 1979 and proved to be the band's commercial breakthrough in the United States, where it reached No. 6 in April 1979. In Billboard magazine, Parallel Lines was listed at No. 9 in the top pop albums year-end chart of 1979. The album spawned several successful singles, notably the international hit "Heart of Glass".
WikipediaI came in heavily biased to this one, and really wanted to let loose with a 5. Blondie is a blind spot for me that's always seemed ripe for uncovering some real tasty gems that perhaps even the most elitist music snobs wouldn't fuck with because they were massively successful and led by a woman. I held my hand out with 5 fat stars. It was there for Blondie to take. Hit play. Blondie didn't want the 5. By the middle of the album Blondie reached in for the stars but I quickly pulled my hand back to my hair and said "too slow!" I gave a star away to my neighbor who stopped by for dinner. I put another star on the WalMart grill and cooked it for 45 minutes. Blondie pretended not to care about the leftover stars. I think we're all just ok with how things worked out. B-
Everyone knows all the Blondie staples, most of us don't realise they all lived on one album. This might be one of the best albums ever created. I forget how great this stuff is, it's not until you sit and pay attention that you realise how awesome it is. Not a bad track in the bunch.
What a terrific album. Front to back, every song on here is worth listening to - Debbie Harry's voice is fantastic and oscillates seamlessly between the punk-ier vibes of a song like 'One Way or Another' to the lighter, airy vibes of songs like 'Fade Away and Radiate' or 'Heart of Glass'. The album ends perfectly with the delightfully melodic and catchy 'Just Go Away'. Worth many, many listens.
This is just a really good album. High points include the hits ("One Way or Another" and "Heart of Glass"), and tracks like "Hanging on the Telephone" and "Fade Away and Radiate" (I hear Fripp, I like). I've been listening to it repeatedly for several days now and I keep noticing all kinds of great touches and I'm not remotely getting tired of it. Most albums I rate as a 5 really have some aspect that blows me away and I can't say this album has that, but it's just good start to finish. That's worth a 5 also.
What I took away from my most recent listen was irrepresible urgency. If you don't answer, she'll ring your phone right off the wall. To get ya, she'll follow your bus downtown (and spy you in the supermarket buying rat food?!). She'll "wait until morning [to] take tomorrow by the hand" because "today can last another million years". She wants you to make it, but if you do "will anything happen?" For these fatefully spirirted youngsters Something. Must. Always. Be. Happening. We're all dying to live, rushing straight ahead in our own parrallel lines. This catalsym of sexual, intellectual and emotional energy is the sound of those lines converging.
The perfect pop rock album. Blondie is mostly seen as the epitome of early New Wave alongside The Talking Heads and Devo, but they were able to blend countless genres in a way that was still consistent and accessible to most audiences. Beyond the synth-heavy New Wave, these tracks are full of power pop, punk, and pure rock. "Sunday Girl" takes inspiration from 60s R&B, while "Heart of Glass" is the perfect disco song despite contemporary resentment, and classic Buddy Holly is covered in the rockabilly "I'm Gonna Love You Too." Blondie would further show later skills in their reggae "The Tide is High" and hip hop "Rapture." One of the best track placements I've ever seen. Starts off with a banger of an intro, which is apparently a cover. It has all punk energy with appropriate synths and catchy lyrics (both chorus and verses). Then it just transitions straight into an even more intense and catchier classic, "One Way or Another" which is more rock and less punk, but matches the first track's strengths in every way. Things tone down slightly in "Picture This." I'm really glad that Debbie Gray is the vocalist of all these songs, she's able to sing to such a range of moods that it keeps the audience looking forward to each track. There is no filler in this album. Sure, there are tracks I'm not a huge fan of, but I still like them all, and in fact, I would listen to the majority on their own casually. That's how great all of them stand out. In case you're curious, the one song I'm indifferent about is "I Know But I Don't Know." I like the wacky vocals and sound that almost reminds me of Devo, but the beginning is a tad bit annoying, and the rock solo is generic, but I really like the last minute. I love how the album ends with two more punk-like tracks, as if there's no need for the full pop facade (excluding the "Just Go Away" rock solo), going back to punk roots. I probably would have swapped these two tracks since the Buddy Holly cover is a slightly better closer. Favorite tracks: One Way or Another, Picture This, Fade Away and Radiate, 11:59, Sunday Girl, Heart of Glass (I had trouble excluding some as my "favorite" cause nearly the entire album would be on here)
Probably the band's best album. It's got most of the band's hits, and they're great, but it also shines with its lesser known songs. The album is just a great listen from start to finish. Debbie Harry has a wonderful range, from a little rasp that shines through when she gets louder to the soft whispers in the quieter moments.
Loved this Album. Debbie Harry has such a powerful voice and she wasn’t afraid to be different in a very tumultuous time for rock and roll, and thus helped to influence a revolution. Add that to Chris Stein’s unique guitar compositions and you have a band that was made to break the mold of rock in the 70s and open up a new era of punk and pop rock music.
This was one of the very first albums I bought - actually my brother bought it, I bought ELO's Discovery, the only time he has demonstrated better taste. Only two things to note on one of the easiest 5 star reviews: I never knew that Hanging on the Telephone was a cover until very rcently, and you need to make sure your copy has the 5:50 disco mix of heart of Glass and not the single edit some early pressings of both vinyl and CD use (including my brother's copy I quickly inherited and still have).
Fantastic album. It starts with a phone ring and then punches straight into Hanging on the telephone. One of the best "intros" of any album. The album continues with a mix of punk and new wave, fast and slow. All in all, a very well put together album.
Debbie Harry, the legend! Blondie is cited so often as an '80s staple that I didn't realize they began making music in the '70s. This sounds a lot more rock-oriented than I expected, it makes me wish we'd get some other, older Blondie records on the list. Anyway, I dig this one. It's got two classic hits and plenty of excellent album cuts. Long live Debbie Harry. Favorite tracks: Heart of Glass, 11:59, One Way or Another, Sunday Girl, Hanging on the Telephone. Album art: Iconic. It's black and white without being black and white. Debbie front and center AS SHE SHOULD BE. Perfect color contrast, and the red font is great. This could be an all-timer. 4.5/5
Incredible songwriting, brilliant arrangements, combining punk, pop, disco and a bit of prog. The Strokes were taking notes!
My favorite Blondie album and one of Maya's favorite albums as well. It's in constant rotation at my house. Practically plays like a greatest hits album. Listened to non-remastered version and prefer it.
I really like Blondie. Their lyrics straddle that line between playful, serious, and contemporary commentary. I also think it sounds like they're having a lot of fun when they're making their music. This album has no filler and is a great one.
Was going for 4 stars, then Heart of glass came on late. Also liked Fade away and radiate, I know but I don’t know (Iggy Pop?). Diverse genres that rallies all pen types to write
Disco ameno y entretenido. Muy adelantado en su momento, lo que hace que siga sonando fresco a día de hoy. Incluye canciones que probablemente han sonado sin parar desde que se publicó el disco.
"Picture This" Released: August 26, 1978 "I'm Gonna Love You Too" Released: September 1978 "Hanging on the Telephone" Released: October 30, 1978 "Heart of Glass" Released: January 3, 1979 "Sunday Girl" Released: May 1979 "One Way or Another" Released: May 14, 1979
"I'm in the phone booth, it's the one across the hall If you don't answer, I'll just ring it off the wall" (Hanging on the telephone) "All I want is a room with a view A sight worth seeing A vision of you All I want is a room with a view" (Picture this) "Today can last another million years Today could be the end of me It's 11: 59, and I want to stay alive" (11:59) "Don't be cruel Be a thing - sweet thing As a rule" (Just go away) El meme de Gordon Ramsay diciendo "Finally, Some Good Fucking Food".
absolute fire. such a great album, and it had a lot of Blondie's hits on it
El mítico de Blondie. Pop y rock garajero y glamuroso con Debbie Harry en todo su esplendor. Potentísimo y una de las portadas más icónicas.
This is just an excellent album. Almost none of the songs are just ok. Iconic!
Excellent first pick. Very catchy, and something I would love if released today. Can see how it influenced some recent indie pop. Stand out track "Heart of Glass".
Didn't realise that this album was from the late 70's, I associated their main singles firmly from the 80's! An all round decent pop/rock album with instantly recognisable classics in "One way or Another" which has been endlessly covered, and "Heart of Glass" which was personally a staple in PlayStation 2's SingStar game. The album takes you on a journey and I think there are no real stinkers on the album which makes for a quintessential pop/rock album. Best: One way or Another; Heart of Glass Worst: no real outliers here!
Correct original album link https://open.spotify.com/album/4M6s2jbhKWEcOdXZ8WiHts
Didn't realise so many bangers all came from one album, it's like a greatest hits
This was my fav album in high school and it still slaps. Interesting how so many female vocal led bands still have the same sound.
God, this was good. I'm gonna go through their discography now because of this.
I had forgotten what a good album this is, even beyond the two hits that I know and love, "One Way or Another" and "Heart of Glass". Great guitar work on "Fade Away and Radiate". "I'm Gonna Love you Too" is a short but good song. Great album through and through. Surprised to be giving this a 5, but well there it is...
Had a lot of songs that have appeared in movies and TV shows. Pretty great to know where those soundtracks came from. Partial to hanging on the telephone, one way or another, sunday girl and heart of glass.
I enjoyed this album far more than I expected to. I feel like this album was probably highly influential on 80's pop.
A stonewall certified all-time classic, with one of the best opening tracks in rock 'n' roll history.
With this album, Blondie refined its formula for producing perfect pop songs. It is catchy and flows smoothly. Loved the harmonies and textures. Legendary!
This album is a classic, wide variety in the types of songs, witty lyrics and the best non-disco DISCO track of all-time in “Heart of Glass”. This album is in my top-10 all-time.
Well I had her posters on my wall and the grooves of this record were worn. I thought it was me she loved. What a wonderful album. Blondie is a legend and all the female singers who have tried to emulate her haven't even come close.
Really fun album. Every song is pretty great for the most part. Doesn't really sound dated at all. There's a great balance of guitar and synth here and Debbie's voice is just the right amount of pop and punk. Definitely going to come back to this one.
Auf RYM hab ich 4/5 gegeben aber im Kontext diess projekts und im vergleich zu allem was bisher dran war hat das ganz locker 5 verdient. so ein geiles album, es sind wirklich nur hits. Das ist das was das Pretnders album hätte sein können, wenn es sich auf der zweiten hälfte nicht so krass in belanglosen popsongs verloren hätte. plus ich liebe es wenn debbie harry's stimme so bisschen bricht das ist so geil rockig 🤘
One of the best from one of my favourite bands. What more needs to be said?
Oh dude, I've listened to this album so many times. It's nice to have a reason to listen to it again. Heart of Glass is just so fucking good. The whole album is.
This album is chockablock with hits. It's sound more than stacks up today. It feels surprising that it came out in the late 70s. Debbie Harry is mesmeric and the band do the songs justice. Apparently the recording process was shambolic but you would never know when you listen to it.
5 fantastic singles on this album. The other tracks didn't excite me at all and it's not really my sort of music but undeniably a great album.
pretty good, with lots of good songs. the songs have some really good licks, and they sound really good.
Didn't know they covered "keep me hanging on the telephone" - love the cover. Debbie Harry is just excellent.
I mean ... this album is stellar. Do I have to take notes? I saw it come up and smiled, clicked play and away I went. Unlike Eat to the Beat, this is a straight up all killer no filler album - I often find myself randomly singing bits of tunes off this for no reason; somebody saying it's 59 minutes past the hour is enough to get 11:59 firing off in my head.
Love love love this album. My favourite by Blondie, and every track a winner.
Rock-pop perfection! Debbie Harry is a powerful sorceress of song. I was lucky to grab this on NM vinyl for only a few bucks!
I have this album on vinyl - it was one of my very first records. I was obsessed with Blondie from a very early age, and this is still one of my favourite albums today!
I love it! I didn't realize all these amazing songs were on just ONE album.
I have a soft spot for this album and was delighted to revisit. It has a fairly good breadth of tracks, not all gold, but enough so that it keeps you listening and represents a strong top-to-bottom album. Love the synth and punk and pop and proto new wave vibe.