Masada - Alpha Blondy

Advantages: A great CD start to finish
Disadvantages: There's no volume two!

...I just got this CD after downloading tunes from Rashanim's website. It's been on constant play in my car and on the ipod. Highlights include "Ahavah," which could be a weird Twin Peaks soundtrack tune, and the all-out rocker "Zemanim." Master gunslinger Marc Ribot sits in for a few tracks. It would have been great to hear him on the whole record, but the trio proves to be a powerhouse with or without other musicians. I've recommended Masada Rock to several friends, and everyone who got it loves it. I haven't seen Rashanim live, but word from a friend in NYC is that they out-rock the CD many times over. Whether you're into rock, surf music, jam music, jazz, Jewish music, whatever-- 'Masada Rock' has it all.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Up and coming
Disadvantages: Not there yet

...Blondie emerged in the mid 1970’s. The name was apt for a group that used imagery from cartoons, B movies and tabloid headlines as inspiration for most of its early songs: X Offender, A Shark In Jet’s Clothing, Kung Fu Girls and The Attack Of The Giant Ants were among the sensationalist titles that featured on the first album Blondie in 1976. By the time of its release, Blondie featured a new rhythm section with Gary Valentine one bass and Clem Burke on drums. They came in alongside existing members Debbie Harry (vocals) and Chris Stein (guitar) to create an exciting and blistering pop sound, just as the new wave was starting to break in the UK. The album wasn’t released in Britain until 1978, when Chrysalis issued it along with their follow up Plastic Letters. It’s excellent stuff, pretty insubstantial in content, but glorious... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Early & raw
Disadvantages: Bad reviews & sales

...I was blonde when I wrote this. But it's only dye. I'll have black hair again soon. On the cutting edge of the New Wave scene from New York came along Blondie at the fag end of the punk scene. New Wave was a very vague notion, used to describe bands on both sides of the Atlantic around at the end of the 70s, but not really fitting into either punk or contemporary scenes.. e.g Talking Heads, The Police, Ian Dury, Elvis Costello & the Attractions etc., and Blondie. But Blondie were surely a pop band? A band that moved with the scenes. Disco, rap... This 1st album was very raw, and not their best (see Parallel Lines) but had a lot of promise. Particularly X-Offender, and my favourite maybe ever Blondie song "Rip Her to Shreads". Bitingly savage, Debbie Harry could be a great lyricist at times, maybe a little under-appreciated.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful