In celebration of Debbie Harry's birthday, I'm busting out some more of my old vinyl and pairing Blondie's 1976 self-titled, debut album with an Anderson Valley Brewing Company Summer Solstice! Happy birthday Ms. Harry!! Cheers!!
A pioneering band in the early American new wave and punk scene of the mid-1970s, Blondie's first album is steeped in 1950s pop, rock and roll, Motown R&B, and rockabilly influence as well as reggae. The album, "Blondie" was issued in December 1976 and then re-released under a new label in October 1977. The first single from the album, the Ronettes-like "X Offender" was originally titled "Sex Offender," but radio stations would not play a song with such a "controversial" title, so the band renamed the song. (This was 1976-77 after all.) "In The Flesh" and "Rip Her To Shreds" (probably my favorite on the album) were also released as singles and saw moderate commercial success in American, the U.K., and Australia. Other great songs on the album include "In The Sun," "Man Overboard," "Kung Fu Girls," and "The Attack Of the Giant Ants"! Characterized by former waitress and Playboy Bunny, Debbie Harry's sometimes obnoxious and vicious, sometimes innocent and soft, and always sultry voice, Chris Stein's guitar/bass work, Jim Destri's 1950s horror film/carnival-like organ/piano/synthesizer work, and Clement Burke's fiery staccato drumming, "Blondie" is a fast-paced and fun rock and roll album! (Gary Valentine also performed bass/guitar work on this album, but would leave the band shortly after its release.) Harry's vocals along with Stein's writing is what really made this album great. One reviewer at the time said this about Harry's vocal performance, "[she is the] possessor of a bombshell zombie's voice that can sound dreamily seductive and woodenly Mansonite within the same song." I couldn't agree more!
The Summer Solstice ale by Anderson Valley Brewing Company is a cream ale, meaning it is spawned from the American light lager-style with a creamy mouthfeel and a clean finish. Sometimes called the “cream soda for adults," this ale is slightly sweet, malty, and smooth. It pours a deep copper color with a thin white head. The nose is characterized by aromas of toasted caramel/toffee sweetness, a hint of golden apple, and subtle spices. The flavor malty and doughy like freshly baked bread with rich and sweet toffee and vanilla notes throughout. There's just a hint of nuttiness to it as well, which gives it some really nice balance. The Summer Solstice is a lovely and refreshing ale that goes great with the poppy punk sound of early Blondie... especially on a 100+ °F day like today here in Salt Lake!
Stay cool... to your health!!
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