Blondie – Plastic Letters

If Blondie's debut album is the truest and unadulterated capturing of their core sound and style, then "Plastic Letters" is more of the same, albeit with less emphatic referencing to trash culture and art pop conveyed with an ironic tone. Instead of diversifying and adapting to the mainstream musical landscape, the band's confidence in their musical approach saw them continue down a similar trajectory to the previous album, though with increased attitude, pace and energy. Debbie Harry's mixing of kittenish phrasing and verbal scorn, backed by the driving instrumentation courtesy of Chris Stein, Jimmy Destri and Clem Burke, elevates the lyrically arbitrary, sonically prosaic songs to more impressive and remarkable heights. "I'm Always Touched By Your Presence, Dear" is a particularly lush highlight worth noting for its catalogue of references and Harry's illogically sneering vocals on a romantic song concerning a telepathic connection between two lovers. It would go on to be considered a classic of the Blondie canon despite not being written by either Chris or Debbie, though it remains a fan favourite nonetheless.

"Denis", a cover of "Denise" by Randy and the Rainbows, is the most immediate, striking and commercial-leaning track on the album; its exemplary airy beauty and refined melodics afforded the band public recognition for the first time as well as significant chart success. "Denis" was undoubtedly promoted by Debbie Harry's boundless sex appeal and distinctive vocal delivery, designating what was to come with the band's masterful third effort, the sleek culmination of their once ruggedly executed NYC style, garish influences and pop sensibilities. "Plastic Letters" is deemed to be the last progression towards the fully formed and proficient musicians they would become, although as an album it is not only indicative of the band's untapped greatness, but a compelling collection of frenetic, galvanic and giddy new wave and mod-inflected rock gems with wry lyricism and low-key production.

Rating: 4.5/5