(RockAndMetal.com) (03/10/04)

By Michael Bennett

NEW YORK, NY, USA - BLONDIE returns with their long-anticipated new release on Sanctuary Records, "The Curse Of Blondie," on April 6th.

The band comes back to reclaim its crown as one of America's greatest pop bands with an album of all new material, which is their first release of all new material in five years.

"The Curse Of Blondie" is the follow-up to their critically acclaimed reunion record, "No Exit," which was released in 1999 and spawned the Top Ten hit 'Maria.'

This release is the band's eighth studio album - first for Sanctuary - and is the most musically accomplished and surprising of their long career.

The first single, 'Good Boys,' recaptures the classic Blondie sound that propelled Deborah Harry and company to stardom over twenty-five years ago.

"The Curse Of Blondie" is an album of extraordinary richness and variety filled with strong songs that have come to typify the sound that is Blondie.

The album starts off strong with 'Shakedown,' an R & B hip-hop gem, and moves onto major pop tunes like the infectious 'Hello Joe' (which is dedicated to Joey Ramone), to a variety of quirky and charming excursions -- a rewrite of a traditional Okinawan folk song 'Magic (Asadoya Yunta)' and a cosmic, free jazz-tinged ballad 'Desire Brings Me Back' that is reminiscent of the Blondie standard 'Cautious Lip.'

"The Curse of Blondie" showcases the true musicianship and expert songwriting that Blondie has demonstrated throughout their career.

The original Blondie was formed in 1974 by art student/guitarist Chris Stein and ex-fokie, ex-Max's Kansas City waitress and Playboy bunny, vocalist Debbie Harry.

Drummer Clem Burke and keyboard player Jimmy Destri joined in 1975.

The band played in New York's downtown circuit and their following grew from there.

Even when they did other things, they all remained friends and that friendship brings this latest release.

"'The Curse of Blondie?' It's been a standing joke for years," says Debbie Harry.

"Every time something weird would happen we would say, 'It's the Curse of Blondie.'"

"A lot of people take it seriously, but it's silly. It's sort of a Vincent Price, horror movie-type title."

"I think it's lucky."

"The Curse Of Blondie" Track Listing:

1. Shakedown
2. Good Boys
3. Undone
4. Golden Rod
5. Rules For Living
6. Background Melody (The Only One)
7. Magic (Asadoya Yunta)
8. End To End
9. Hello Joe
10. The Tingler
11. Last One In The World
12. Diamond Bridge
13. Desire Brings Me Back
14. Songs For Love

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