The Hunter

by

Blondie

Edit

In 1982 bad reviews dominated this obscure Blondie album. Blondie had a name and fame to keep up after million sellers like Parallel Lines, Eat to the beat and Autoamerican. Somehow you can hear indeed Debbie's was not on the same level like on the other Blondie albums. But did they want to sound like their former albums? Apparently not, Blondie used to do what they wanted to do: Blondie refused to re-write the rejected Bond theme: For your eyes only. This album might be recorded under pressure of a binding contract with the record company but this album contains very smart lyrical songs. Orchid club, Little Ceasar, the Hunter gets captured by the game, War child, Dragonfly and English boys are stand outs. The single Island of lost souls is t.m.o. more fun as their equal sounding #1 hit The tide is high.

This remastered version contains the extended version of War Child which is one of my favorite all time Blondie songs. Yes I am a Blondie fan and The Hunter is one of my most played Blondie cd's. Maybe that makes me a fool but I don't care: We want fun.....(for fans only)!

From 1979 to 1981, it could be stated that Blondie was the #1 group in the world. The success of "Parallel Lines," "Eat to the Beat," and "Autoamerican" - and their singles - offer proof.

Fans everywhere wondered what they could do to top their successes.

The result was 1982's "The Hunter," an album that did not top their 1979-81 period; in fact, the album showed with great clarity that Blondie had passed their prime.

Deborah Harry didn't want to be considered "Blondie" anymore; her 1981 solo album went far to demonstrate her intentions. But Chris Stein wanted to continue the group and "The Hunter" was the result. Harry's growing agitation with the "Blondie" image is one reason the album is mediocre; in addition, guitarist Frank Infante sued the group due to his contention that he was being kept out of group decisions. A settlement was reached, part of which was Infante's participation on "The Hunter." Also contributing to the downturn in quality on "The Hunter" was Chris Stein's early battle with a life-threatening illness that would sideline him for several years.

The album overall reflects Blondie's lack of interest in continuing as a group considering the many mediocre offerings ("Find the Right Words," "The Beast," "Little Caesar," "Dragonfly"). The group sounds downright tired on many of the tracks.

There are still classic Blondie efforts and sounds, however. "Orchid Club" is an underrated gem, and "For Your Eyes Only," a song Harry and Stein wrote for the movie of the same name (only to be rejected by the film's producers) comes closer to the spy themed movie than Sheena Easton's effort. "War Child" is full of energy and purpose, and "English Boys" is a nicely constructed, mellow song.

All in all, "The Hunter" is not a bad effort, but it was clear at the time the album was released that this was the group's swan song (until 1999's "No Exit) and the weakest of their six original albums.