Wiki
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Release Date
1977
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Length
13 tracks
Plastic Letters, the American rock band Blondie’s second record, was released in February of 1978 via Chrysalis Records (an earlier version with an alternate track order was released in December of 1977 in Japan). It was produced by Richard Gottehrer, who also produced the band's first album Blondie. The album features the singles "Denis" (a cover of “Denise” by Randy & The Rainbows) and "(I’m Always Touched By Your) Presence, Dear" as well as the Japan exclusive single “Kidnapper". Later digital remasters of the album included an early demo of Parallel Lines' “Heart of Glass” titled “Once I Had A Love (aka The Disco Song)” as well as the previously unreleased track “Scenery”, the b-side “Poet’s Problem” and a live version of “Detroit 442” as bonus tracks.
The album was recorded in June and July of 1977 at Plaza Sound in New York City. There were some difficulties in recording this album since bassist Gary Valentine left the band to pursue a solo career prior to the recording session leaving Chris Stein to play both bass and guitar with the help of Frank Infante. The band was also in the middle of switching record labels from Private Stock to Chrysalis.
On the album cover, vocalist Debbie Harry is wearing a dress made by Anya Phillips, the founder of the New York nightclub Mudd Club. Chrysalis had the band retake the picture for the album cover claiming that the original was "too punk".
A cardboard cutout of Debbie Harry that was used to promote this album was featured in the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Plastic Letters peaked at number 10 on UK album charts, number 2 on Dutch album charts, number 38 on New Zealand album charts, number 33 on Swedish album charts, number 72 on the US album charts and number 64 on Australian album charts.
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