Album review: Blondie’s Pollinator finds success in the familiar

This cover image released by BMG shows Pollinator, the latest release by Blondie. BMG via AP

Pollinator

Blondie

BMG

Three and a half

On Pollinator, Blondie update their sound of recent years by returning to familiar and successful foundations. Joan Jett joins the band on opener Doom or Destiny, one of the few tracks written by Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein, but its thump sets the right tone.

Long Time, by Harry and Devonte Hynes (Blood Orange), is a Heart of Glass offshoot and mentions the Bowery, the New York home of club CBGB where Blondie were early performers along with the Ramones and Patti Smith, to name but two. Already Naked also evokes classic Blondie, circa 1979, while Dave Sitek from TV on the Radio contributes to Fun.

When I Gave Up on You is a fine ballad marred by The Gregory Brothers' auto-tune shtick, while actor and comedian John Roberts' input, and a surging horn section, boosts the merriment on Love Level.

Fragments starts and ends in a cloud of gloom but the band pulls out the stops during a vigorous middle section. It should be a highlight of live shows. Pollinator emphasises energy, excitement, New York vibes and solid beats.

* Associated Press