Deborah Harry - Necessary Evil
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Free Music Notes for Necessary Evil
Free Music Review: Even better than Blondie's two reformation albums
Hit: 5 Stars
Though it takes a few listens to get into, it doesn't take long to realize that Deborah Harry's 2007 release, `Necessary Evil', is the best pop thing she has recorded since 1989's solo `Def Dumb & Blonde'. Every bit as eclectic as that, 1993's `Debravation' and the two albums the reformed Blondie has recorded ( `No Exit' and `The Curse of Blondie'),it is basically a 14 track set, produced by Super Buddha (Scissor Sisters, Rufus Wainwright), with three bonus tracks (two produced by Chris Stein and one by Bill Ware from the Jazz Passengers) wisely left to the end of the track list.
The main 14 track set starts off with the infectious adult dance track and single, `Too Times Blue', with the somewhat sappy `If I Had You' two tracks later. These are the most "mainstream" moments on the record, with the latter sounding uncomfortably like something you might expect someone like Avril Levigne to record. Track four, `Deep End', is the undisputed show stopper of the album, replete with water metaphors. With its hard new wave musical and vocal overtones and sweet chorus, it delves into the courage of going with new love and banishing the fear of being wounded.
Other major highlights include the equally new-wave influenced title track with its sassy spoken-word verses and wry chorus, the avante-garde funk of `Love With A Vengeance', and the screeching art bar repetition of `You're Too Hot'. The addictive Lower East Side dance duet (with Miss Guy from the Toilet Boys) of `Charm Alarm' is also excellent, as is the soft and beautiful `What is Love' and the ice cool threat of `Heat of the Moment'.
Lower points - because there is nothing "bad" here - are `Dirty and Deep', which sounds like Harry trying to re-capture Prince's risqué early 80s period (do we really want to hear this woman sing the line, "Lick it like you love it"?) and the overly sentimental `Needless to Say'.
The three additional tracks are all good, but do not sound like they are from the rest of the collection.
Harry's voice is strong, a little jazz-infused, and huskier than the silvery timbre she had back in the days of `Def, Dumb and Blonde'. On `Necessary Evil', it is evident that she accepts her age, embraces her eras and knows well the genres she has worked in. They are all represented here and she never attempts to sound young or relevant, which simply serves to elevate this album and transcend modern pop trends. She has said that this is simply a collection of things she had written, with no particular direction in mind, but that never detracts from the quality of the song-writing or the performances in these recordings. The result is an absolute MUST for DH aficionados or anyone interested in something that is high quality and out of the ordinary.
Free Music Review: NECESSARY addition to Debbie's Discography!
Hit: 5 Stars
In the past 30 years, Deborah Harry has not only established herself as the coolest woman in the universe, but also as the most adventurous recording artists ever. Throughout her career with Blondie, The Jazz Passengers, and her other four solo albums, she has pretty much tackled every musical genre that's out there.
With NECESSARY EVIL, Debbie doesn't waste time trying to prove what she can do. We already know. It's a solid pop album that offers up some diverse musical landscapes, but does not zig zag all over the place like her last two solo albums ("Def Dumb & Blonde" & "Debravation") and the last two Blondie releases ("No Exit" & "Curse of Blondie"). The sequencing of the songs on NECESSARY EVIL is perfect. The infectious grooves and melodies blend together wonderfully. "Two Times Blue" starts the album as a luscious pop wonder which is followed by the harder hitting "School for Scandal", which shows that age is no barrier for delivering cool, sexy lyrics. "If I Had You" is a power ballad that gives a nod to the girl group sound of the sixties, or more obviously, Blondie's earliest material of the same nature. "You're Too Hot" is a hypnotic sizzler with only six words ever sung (or shouted) that takes the album to a boiling point. This song has stayed in my head non-stop since I saw her perform it on the True Colors Tour back in June! "Whiteout" is a sublime pumping track that is equally addictive as "You're Too Hot". Two stand-out ballads are "Needless to Say" and the album closer "Paradise" (a beautiful song told from the perspective of a suicide bomber!).
What's most remarkable about NECESSARY EVIL is that Deborah Harry seems to be having fun on the record. That's pretty amazing for someone who has been in the business as long as she has. The fact that she keeps challenging herself as a songwriter and vocalist is pretty much unheard of. Not mentioning any names, but most performers in her age range stick to what they know and don't stray too far from the format. Deborah Harry never does this and that is why she is the greatest female rock icon out there.
Realistically NECESSARY EVIL will not get the promotion it needs and therefore will probably not be the commercial success it deserves to be, but that's all so unimportant. As I said with "The Curse of Blondie", what is most important is that she's made another great album that will hold up over time. It's a great addition to her discography and one she should definitely be proud of. As a life long fan of DEBORAH HARRY, I am thrilled by NECESSARY EVIL and can only hope she keeps making music forever!
Free Music Review: Necessary harry - She's Too Hot!
Hit: 5 Stars
It's been just far too long since Deborah Harry has released a solo album, 14 years in fact. Long by her age of 62, most other artists fade into their past and only to relive it with unimaginative reincarnations of former glory. On Necessary Evil, Deborah not only rivals her past; she abandons and shatters it, completely reinventing herself. The only thing you can predict when you pick up one of her (or Blondie's) projects, is that you are going to hear something that has never been done before. With 17 tracks, there is plenty of room for Ms. Harry to explore her extraordinarily diverse style. The vocals are lush and raw at once. The lead single, and radio friendly "Two Times Blue" explodes with Harry's human sensibility; something that is so inviting and yet, so remote from the icy pop that paralyzed us back in the late 70's and early 80s, when she and her band Blondie first exploded on to the pop music scene. Songs like "Love With A Vengeance" and "Naked Eye" sound so odd at first, but before you know it, they linger in your ear and you're hooked. There's plenty of love songs as well but they all have something just a little twisted, and not of convention; "I just set myself on fire ... what a thing to do you say". Almost sinister, with her unmistakable styling, and wavering lilt, only Harry could sing these songs. My absolute favourite is "You're Too Hot"; she rocks it out harder and better now more than ever. Other kicking tracks are "Deep End", "Whiteout", "School For Scandal", "Charm Alarm", the oh so provocative "Dirty and Deep" and of course, the sizzling title track "Necessary Evil" where the journey of love is metaphorically equated with terrorism. Yes, Deborah Harry's wicked sense of humour and clever writing prevail throughout this album. After the last Blondie masterpiece "The Curse of Blondie" in 2003, it was painfully obvious that Harry has reached a new apex in her career where her creativity and singing are concerned; it only makes sense to strike while the iron is hot. Always the risk taker, Deborah Harry has financed this current project herself, but Necessary Evil is an exhibition of talent that can be banked on. While her predecessors scramble to mimic her past successes, the sexagenarian forges on into uncharted waters with such signature; completely disregarding the publicly accepted ageism & sexism that contaminates today's pop music culture.Free Music Review: A Deeply Satisfying Musical Experience
Hit: 5 Stars
It's no cosmic revelation that Nancy Sinatra and Deborah Harry broke the ground which Madonna has so successfully cultivated: intelligent off-center sorta-rock with a street-smart attitude, and an all-American rinky-dink voice in the guise of retro silver screen sirens. Which kinda makes Madonna iconic of not much except white-knuckled self-promotion and adherence to an already-established tradition. A marketing triumph of course, but if the subject is actually music then all spoils don't necessarily go to the victor.
With NECESSARY EVIL Deborah Harry articulates a musical vision which is more about sustained excellence than reinvention. She's not only at the top of her game here - she's at the top of everyone elses. As such, her latest album moves seamlessly and seductively around contemporary grooves anchored by deceptively unobtrusive lyrics and oblique ideas. Indeed Deborah's stock-in-trade, but here realized more cohesively than ever before as a solo artist. Or maybe we're just catching up with a girl who's usually been more musically relevant than her times because the new Deborah Harry album certainly stands alongside Blondie's finest moments, past and present.
NECESSARY EVIL is a very strong response to both vacant corporate pop and indie pretensions. The production is really superb inasmuch as it brings out the very best in Deborah Harry, and she has a lot to offer. Figure on mucho bang for your buck if you're looking for equal parts style and substance.
It's undoubtedly a classy piece of work with a lot of musical integrity, and should be listened to (and cherished) as an album. Not because there are no standout tracks, but just because it's a nice long buzz for the soul.
Five outta five cos it's too damned good for anything less.
Free Music Review: Possibly Debbie Harry's Best Work (with/without Blondie)
Hit: 5 Stars
Having received the new Debbie Harry CD "Necessary Evil" as a birthday gift, five weeks prior to writing this review, I am pleased to say that this is, quite possibly, Harry's best overall album ever! In my opinion, "Necessary Evil" is musically slicker--and more FUN--than anything Harry has done with her band Blondie since their heyday around 1980.
The first 14 tracks of the "Necessary Evil" album were produced by Super Buddha. And, boy, does he bring out the best in Deborah Harry! Vocally, on these 14 tracks she sounds stronger, more confident, and sassier--than maybe ever! The final three tracks--not produced by Super Buddha--almost sound as if they were tacked on to the album, at the last minute, as a bonus.
My take on the best songs from the "Necessary Evil" album (and there are many): "Necessary Evil" (title song, 5 stars), "If I Had You" (current single with a nice video, 5 stars), "Charm Alarm" (5 stars), "What is Love" (5 stars), "Whiteout" (5 stars). All of these sound like they deserve to be BIG commercial radio hits!!
Almost as good are: "Two Times Blue" (the album's first single, 4 stars), "Needless to Say" (4 stars), "Love With a Vengence" (4 stars), "Deep End" (4 stars), and "School for Scandal" (4 stars).
The weakest tracks, although none are terribly bad, are the final three songs: "Jen, Jen" (seems out-of-place on this album, 3 stars), "Naked Eye" (3 stars), and "Paradise" (3 stars).
I hope Debbie Harry will record future albums with Super Buddha or other cutting-edge producers! This album is very highly recommended!