Greatest Hits

iTunes Review

Of all the bands to emerge from the 1970s New York City punk scene at CBGBs only Blondie were immediately ready for the radio. Their roots in girl group Brill Building pop, the indelible image of singer Deborah Harry, and their innovative use of keyboards and then modern dance rhythms made their music more accessible than the harsher, often confrontational tones of their peers. Their studio albums all have their moments, but the band hit their true stride with their singles. “Heart of Glass” featured a disco beat, but it retained the same emotive flair and driving ambition of their rock-based material. Giorgio Moroder’s production work on “Call Me” stepped up the excitement and the band’s early attempt at bringing “rap” to mainstream attention with “Rapture” showcased a group always looking to push the creative envelope. Whether it’s the modest pop of “Picture This,” the punkish hue of “One Way or Another,” the euphoric rush of “Dreaming,” or the playful nod to reggae with “The Tide Is High,” Blondie mastered each approach and made it their own.