Against The Odds 1974 – 1982 (Deluxe Edition)

I've been a Blondie fan for 30 since now, since their hiatus years when a reunion didn't seem like it was an option. Much of this isn't new to me - I had all the albums when they were remastered in 1994, as well as various collections and remix albums - so how exactly was I going to justify essentially buying it all over again? I settled on the deluxe CD edition after much deliberation (I'm sure the vinyl super deluxe set was spectacular but I just never get round to listening to vinyl...) and I'm happy with that choice.What surprised me with so many demos and alternative versions was how good some of them are and how worthwhile their inclusion is: the Private Stock single version of X Offender is a little more motown than the one you're used to, and you could argue that the first take of Bermuda Triangle Blues is better than the one that ended up on Plastic Letters. A few of the bonus tracks had appeared on earlier reissues and 1993's 'Blonde and Beyond', and it's a shame some other previous bonus tracks are omitted - extended versions of War Child and Call Me really added something to the originals beyond simply elongating them and showcased Clem's drumming to a greater extent for starters.The presentation hardback book is full of insights and interviews, though I was quite disappointed to find that some of the band's comments were recycled from historic interviews and some of the track-by-track commentary included general comments that didn't always relate to the track in question. It also seems to rush through the last two albums when compared to the first four.That said, it's a beautifully packaged set designed with care and detail. The eight discs sit inside the covers in their own slip cases and the remastering sounds great. I've enjoyed reading the book as I revisited each album I've heard many times before, and that I never seem to tire of. You're unlikely to be reading this as a casual fan looking for a greatest hits package - but on the other hand, that's how I got in to them all those years ago and I can well recommend this as a timeless collection.And if you are a big fan that already has these albums, it's still well worth picking up.

There has been several attempts at remastering the albums from Blondie's imperial phase over the years and these are far superior to any previous attempts - no doubt because the band themselves were involved. The sound quality brings new life to the tracks and it's great to have some outtakes and rarities. Admittedly, some I won't be playing more than once (Mike Chapman's vocals on the demo of "Hanging On The Telephone", "Die Young, Stay Pretty", and Jimmy Destri's vocal on the Giorgio Moroder demo of "Angels On The Balcony" or, any of the instrumental tracks) but it's great to hear how these songs were first presented and what they evolved into. The highlight of the demo's is "I Love You Honey, Give Me A Beer" with some of the lyrics being better than what made it to the final track ("Go Through It"). The book that comes with it is a great read with some stunning pics, some of which are previously unseen to me. The only thing that would have been nice to have had is the single edit of "Atomic" and the rumoured Mike Chapman remix of "Slow Motion", which was intended as the fourth single from "Eat To The Beat" before they recorded "Call Me". Speaking of which, the full-length version of said track from "American Gigolo" which was included on the 2001 remaster of "AutoAmerican" would have also been good to have here. That aside, this is a superb collection and well worth the price. Hopefully the remastered albums will be available to stream and/or download at some point in the future.

Blondie was the force that made the seamless, and respectful transition from the disco craze of the latter-day 1970’s into a comprehensible, “tasteful” punk rock genre. Frontlined by the most drop dead stunningly gorgeous lead vocalist barnone — Debbie Harry — this was very cool music, and still is.Now, this incredibly stunning set in silver foil is not only a beautiful package, but of exceptional sound quality never heard of in any of their so-called remastered compendiums. The 8-album collection well-nested into a beautifully-designed, and written coffee table book is an experience of pure joy. The set I received was manufactured in the E. U. — an all-important detail not even mentioned in the description of this listing. I just took a blind leap (so glad I did) and placed my quick-to-arrive order. Very few live up to all the hype given it; but, this goes beyond any expectation. It’s a compendium YOU shall never regret owning. This one sets the standard for me.

The packaging is top-notch the book top-notch, the individual CDs with all the extra tracks are everything I always wanted to complete my collection on CD. The two Bonus disks are a nice surprise. The book is fantastic all in all this is a great package for any Blondie fan..

When I saw this was released I questioned if it was worth it. As I have a special birthday coming up I ordered it and I am so glad that I did.Reasons to buy it:- weighty 128 side book with new photos/ different versions of well known photos.- band commentary on tracks - even estranged members Frank Infante, Gary Valentine and Nigel Harrison have been allowed to comment.- 8 remastered CDs with much improved sound. Previous CD issues have sounded tinny but these have been well remastered with good bottom-end (no analysis, just used my ears). Credit to Michael Graves at Osiris Studio LA.A fitting epitaph for a great group that did not previously reap their financial rewards.

I'm not a die hard Blondie fan but like a lot of their hit songs so bought this and glad I did. Really nice quality heavy box set, I thought they'd actually sent the vinyl box set by mistake because of the size. The recordings sound brilliant, really nice crystal clear warm sound, they did a great job with them but I'm sure die hards will find something that's not right! The only disappointment for me was that they didn't include the 12" mixes and 7" versions but still very happy with what I got :) Def 5*****

My first complete discography of Blondie. The presentation is top notch. The remastered studio CDs and extra material sounds fantastic. The book is very well compiled and tells you a lot you may have not known about the band. The book is hard cover in a sturdy and attractive slip case with CD slots inside front and back covers. Printed on high quality paper. Well worth the money.

Me hubiera encantado que el libro fuera de 12", la presentación del libro es extraordinaria y la idea de integrar los 6 álbumes de estudio y los dos álbumes extra dentro del libro me parece excelente idea. La remasterización tienen cinco estrellas, realmente puedo decir que le dieron una nueva vida a todos los éxitos del grupo. Lo único malo es que esta edición no incluye Heart Of Glass (Remix Original incluido en The Best Of Blondie), tampoco incluye Calle Me, Wardchild y Live It Up en sus versiones largas, así como Heart of Glass en su versión instumental, afortunadamente cuento con ellas por otras ediciones de sus discos por lo que para mí no fue porblema que no se incluyeran en esta edición que básicamente está muy completa.

Blondie's first six studio albums are reissued here, along with many bonus tracks and two discs of supplemental material (most never before heard). Presented in a box with a book chock full of photos and track commentary and information.The new remasters sound excellent. They are not "brickwalled", so compared to mastering of most new music released in the past 10 years or so, these sound a little quieter (a good thing). Sound is so clean with punchy bass and great dynamics. Vocals and instrumentals sound so clear and crisp. This is how remastering should be done. The difference between these and the 2001 remasters is noticeable, though not necessarily night-and-day. I thought the 2001 remasters were very good (though the volume between some discs did vary, despite all being released the same year). I find these to be superior, even with some of the bonus tracks that were carried over - the Private Stock singles, for example, which were supposedly sourced from vinyl on the 2001 reissues. The new remasters are a definite upgrade to those tracks. Much of the Home Tapes material is just as clear, not muffled or muddy as you might expect from something labeled a "home recording".The selection of bonus material, most of which is brand new, does leave a little to be desired. Call Me is included on Eat To The Beat, but it is the shorter version whereas the 2001 reissue of Autoamerican has the original long version as a bonus track. I've listened to the long version so many times that it feels like the definitive version of the song, and really the one that should have been included in this set as it is a quintessential Blondie track (there was absolutely enough room to include a couple more minutes of the song on the disc). The Spanish/English-language version of the song is included which is longer than the one included, but still shorter than the original long version. The extended version of Heart Of Glass would have been a nice inclusion as well. I see other reviewers complaining that a lot of the 2001 reissue bonus tracks were not included here. Okay, maybe... but I'd much rather hear previously unreleased material, which is what is mostly included here. I will agree that there was a lot of unused space on the Out In The Streets and Home Tapes discs where they could have thrown some more rarities at us, but I'm overall satisfied with what was included. The Chris Stein mixes and Mike Chapman vocal demos are pure fillers and throw-aways, in my opinion, as they don't really add much value to the set.Another reviewer noted issues with skips when ripping these discs to your computer or a device, and I can confirm this as well. I copied these to my iPod to listen to them at work and towards to end of Parallel Lines and the beginning of Eat To The Beat I noticed some songs had skips. I thought it was just my computer, but now I see it could be a widespread issue. I've re-ripped and the problem seems to have cleared up (though some individual songs took two or three rips to get a clean copy).In closing, I thought this was an excellent box set highlighting the career of one of the most influential bands of the 70s and 80s new wave/punk/disco era.. the packaging is high quality and the new remasters are beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to these albums, and I only got to page through the book yet. Blondie fans, buy it for the presentation and audio quality, and hold onto your 2001 reissues for a handful of tracks that were not included in this new set. Highly recommended!

Merece muchísimo la pena esta recopilación.Todo en perfecto estado 👌🏽

Di tutto e di più su una delle più iconografiche glamour punk band Usa. Per capire quanto ci fosse di rock nella Music di quegli anni e di quanto Andy W. mettesse del suo….