Metal Sludge Gossip Board

Which female fronted new wave band do you prefer?

Well, I don’t despise Blondie with every fiber of my being, so… them?

Both very solid bands, but depending on my mood “Heart of Glass” and “One Way or Another” shit all over the majority of the Pretenders’ output, and Debbie Harry is a slightly better vocalist than Chrissie Hynde. That said, “Middle of the Road” shits all over half of Blondie’s catalog, so it almost kinda evens out.

Blondie for 11:59 alone….

‘Nuff said

I'd like to add, for the record

There's another infamous Debbie Harry photo that can't be linked here...

The Pretenders supported GnR on their 2023 tour, which I thought was strange. I also thought I wouldn't know more than 2 songs but in the end there were 5. They didn't play their Xmas song in June, though The Darkness did.

But Blondie's singles were streets ahead of The Pretenders - better melodies, more innovative, more fun.

I like both, but Pretenders for being a rock band, Blondie was great pop.

Pretenders first album is a perfect record. I'll choose them for that alone.

Plastic letters is near perfect.

I don't really like either one too much, outside of a few songs.

Losing Farndon and Honeyman-Scott hurt the Pretenders.

Blondie.

Sleek wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 11:56 pm Pretenders first album is a perfect record. I'll choose them for that alone.

I'd say it's the best rock record ever by a female writer.

Overall, the Pretenders. Best song goes to Blondie: "Heart of Glass."

Tough one but the Pretenders are still great live and as great as Blondie is they never produced a song like Kid.

Debbie Harry's a contender for hardest wall-hit of all time.

Physical looks, sexually... Blondie was hotter!

But... musically... Chrissy Hynde and The Pretenders, are the better choice all day!

$tEvil

dmbrocker wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 7:21 pm Both very solid bands, but depending on my mood “Heart of Glass” and “One Way or Another” shit all over the majority of the Pretenders’ output, and Debbie Harry is a slightly better vocalist than Chrissie Hynde. That said, “Middle of the Road” shits all over half of Blondie’s catalog, so it almost kinda evens out.

That's kinda where I'm at... Blondies best songs are stronger, but the Pretenders catalog is more solid overall, especially those 1st 3 albums, which are essential. For Blondie, when you boil it down, The Best of Blondie is all you need.

Bono Nettencourt wrote: ↑Sat Mar 01, 2025 10:38 am Debbie Harry's a contender for hardest wall-hit of all time.

Problem is she was over 30 when they started. That doesnt give a ton of shelf life, compared to a girl who gets famous at 19. But yeah, not the poster girl for aging well.

CrankerBait wrote: ↑Sat Mar 01, 2025 10:23 am Overall, the Pretenders. Best song goes to Blondie: "Heart of Glass."

That's not even the best song on Parallel Lines. Chrissie Hynde is heads and tails a better songwriter than Debbie Harry if we're comparing lead singers. The first two Pretenders albums are better than any album Blondie put out. Love both bands.

HueyRamone wrote: ↑Sat Mar 01, 2025 11:22 am

Bono Nettencourt wrote: ↑Sat Mar 01, 2025 10:38 am Debbie Harry's a contender for hardest wall-hit of all time.

Problem is she was over 30 when they started. That doesnt give a ton of shelf life, compared to a girl who gets famous at 19. But yeah, not the poster girl for aging well.

It didn't help that her main pursuit after they broke up outside of the occasional solo album and movie was being Chris Stein's live-in drug buddy.

Hellsinkey wrote: ↑Sat Mar 01, 2025 10:21 am

Sleek wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 11:56 pm Pretenders first album is a perfect record. I'll choose them for that alone.

I'd say it's the best rock record ever by a female writer.

That was the record that made me notice the name: Chris Thomas.

He has a remarkable run of perfect records in different genres. As a producer, he really hones the songs, gets the best performance out of an artist, and then captures it great.

AnotherPerfectB*stard wrote: ↑Wed Feb 26, 2025 8:34 pm

‘Nuff said

Meh...these ones are better...