Top tracks — play these first
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Good Boys — As a standout single, 'Good Boys' marries catchy pop sensibilities with dance rhythms, encapsulating the album's revitalized energy and Blondie's ability to adapt to changing musical landscapes.
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Shakedown Start here — 'Shakedown' opens the album with an infectious beat and sharp lyrics that set the tone for a playful yet reflective exploration of modern themes.
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Background Melody (The Only One) — This track showcases the band's signature blend of rock and new wave while delving into introspective themes, highlighting Debbie Harry's lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases a mix of energetic tracks and varied styles but lacks strong cohesion and lasting impact.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a consistent dance-rock tempo, while the second half introduces more varied pacing and styles.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly in 'Good Boys' and 'Hello Joe'.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic flow with peaks
- reflective lyrics for contemplation
- danceable tracks for socializing
- wave-like pacing invites movement
- catchy hooks that linger
Maybe skip if you
- dislike reflective lyrical content
- prefer immediate gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows Blondie's continued appeal and evolution in sound after a long hiatus.
- Themes
- 2000s nostalgia· dance floor reflections· modern love dilemmas
- Career context
- Released in 2003, The Curse of Blondie is the band's sixth studio album and marks their first full-length release since 1999's No Exit. At this point, Blondie was re-establishing themselves in a new era, following the resurgence of interest in their music due to 90s nostalgia and preceding their eventual induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The B-52's· Talking Heads· Siouxsie and the Banshees
Tracklist
- 1 Shakedown Start here 5:05
- 2 Good Boys 4:18
- 3 Undone 4:28
- 4 Golden Rod 5:23
- 5 Rules for Living 5:12
- 6 Background Melody (The Only One) 3:54
- 7 Magic (Asadoya Yunta) 4:05
- 8 End to End 3:59
- 9 Hello Joe 4:06
- 10 The Tingler 3:52
- 11 Last One in the World 4:31
- 12 Diamond Bridge 4:07
- 13 Desire Brings Me Back 5:31
- 14 Songs of Love 6:46
- 15 Good Boys (Giorgio Moroder single mix) 4:06
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Hot Fuss
The Killers
Shares vibrant dance-rock energy and nostalgic hooks reminiscent of early 2000s pop culture.
Fever to Tell
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Combines post-punk revival with catchy melodies and modern production, echoing similar themes of love and nightlife.
Black Cherry
Goldfrapp
Merges electronic dance elements with a glamorous vibe, reflecting on modern love and nightlife experiences.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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