Blondie – Blondie (1976)

Blondie is the debut album by American new wave band Blondie, released in December 1976 on Private Stock.

Soundwise, keyboardist Jimmy Destri dominates the two cuts produced by Craig Leon: the Farfisa-driven “X-Offender” and the fizz-ensnared “A Shark in Jets Clothing.” The surf-infused “In the Sun” highlights Burke’s “Wipeout”-influenced drumming. An exotic vibe pervades the steelpan-spiced “Man Overboard” and tribal/tropical rhythm fest “A Shark in Jets Clothing.”

Blondie recorded the album with Richard Gottehrer, an industry vet whose recent credits included albums by Renaissance (Turn of the Cards), Chilliwack, and East of Eden. He infused these songs with echoes of his early ’60s girl-group productions (The Angels, The Pin-Ups), a vibe especially conjured on the sassy “Little Girl Lies,” the catty “Rip Her to Shreds,” and the tender ’50 homecoming ballad “In the Flesh.”

Tracklist:
A1. “X Offender” (3:14)
A2. “Little Girl Lies” (2:07)
A3. “In the Flesh” (2:33)
A4. “Look Good in Blue” (2:55)
A5. “In the Sun” (2:39)
A6. “A Shark in Jets Clothing” (3:39)
B1. “Man Overboard” (3:22)
B2. “Rip Her to Shreds” (3:22)
B3. “Rifle Range” (3:41)
B4. “Kung Fu Girls” (2:33)
B5. “The Attack of the Giant Ants” (3:34)

Credits:
Debbie Harry – vocals
Chris Stein – guitar, bass (A1)
Gary Valentine – bass guitar, guitar (A1)
Jimmy Destri – Farfisa organ, grand piano, RMI piano, Roland synthesizer
Clem Burke – drums

Ellie Greenwich – backing vocals (A3, B1)
Micki Harris – backing vocals (A3, B1)
Hilda Harris – backing vocals (A3, B1)
Richard Gottehrer – producer
Craig Leon – producer (A1, A5), remix engineer
Rob Freeman – engineer
Don Hunerberg – assistant engineer
Greg Calbi – mastering
David Perl – art direction, design
Shig Ikeida – photography