The Pretenders | ||
| Allmusic Biography : Over the years, the Pretenders became a vehicle for guitarist/vocalist Chrissie Hyndes songwriting, yet it was a full-fledged band when it was formed in the late 70s. With their initial records, the group crossed the bridge between punk/new wave and Top 40 pop more than any other band, recording a series of hard, spiky singles that were also melodic and immediately accessible. Hynde was an invigorating, sexy singer who bent the traditional male roles of rock & roll to her own liking, while guitarist James Honeyman-Scott created a sonic palette filled with suspended chords, effects pedals, and syncopated rhythms that proved remarkably influential over the next two decades. After Honeyman-Scotts death, the Pretenders became a more straightforward rock band, yet Hyndes semi-autobiographical songwriting and bracing determination meant that the group never became just another rock band, even when their music became smoother and more pop-oriented. Originally from Akron, Ohio Hynde moved to England in the early 70s, when she was in her twenties. British rock journalist Nick Kent helped her begin writing for New Musical Express; she wrote for the newspaper during the mid-70s. She also worked in Malcolm McLarens SEX boutique before she began performing. After playing with Chris Spedding, she joined Jack Rabbit; she quickly left the band and formed the Berk Brothers. In 1978, Hynde formed the Pretenders, which eventually consisted of Honeyman-Scott, bassist Pete Farndon, and drummer Martin Chambers. Later in the year, they recorded a version of Ray Davies "Stop Your Sobbing," produced by Nick Lowe. The single made it into the British Top 40 in early 1979. "Kid" and "Brass in Pocket," the groups next two singles, were also successful. Their debut album, Pretenders, was released in early 1980 and eventually climbed to number one in the U.K. The band was nearly as successful in America, with the album reaching the Top Ten and "Brass in Pocket" reaching number 14. During an American tour in 1980, Hynde met Ray Davies and the two fell in love. Following a spring 1981 EP, Extended Play, the group released their second album, Pretenders II. Although it fared well on the charts, it repeated the musical ideas of their debut. In June of 1982, Pete Farndon was kicked out of the band due to his drug abuse. A mere two days later, on June 16, James Honeyman-Scott was found dead of an overdose of heroin and cocaine. Pregnant with Davies child, Hynde went into seclusion following Honeyman-Scotts death. In 1983, two months after Hynde gave birth, Farndon also died of a drug overdose. Hynde regrouped the Pretenders in February 1983, adding former Manfred Manns Earth Band guitarist Robbie McIntosh and bassist Malcolm Foster; the reconstituted band released "2000 Miles" in time for Christmas. The new Pretenders released Learning to Crawl early in 1984 to positive reviews and commercial success. Ending her romance with Ray Davies, Hynde married Jim Kerr, the lead vocalist of Simple Minds, in May of 1984. Apart from a performance at Live Aid, the only musical activity from the Pretenders in 1985 was Hyndes appearance on UB40s version of "I Got You Babe." Hynde assembled another version of the Pretenders for 1986s Get Close. Only she and McIntosh remained from Learning to Crawl; the rest of the album was recorded with session musicians. Get Close showed the Pretenders moving closer to MOR territory, with the bouncy single "Dont Get Me Wrong" making its way into the American Top Ten in 1987. Hynde recorded another duet with UB40 in 1988, a cover of Dusty Springfields "Breakfast in Bed." Hyndes marriage to Kerr fell apart in 1990, the same year the Pretenders released Packed!, which failed to ignite the charts in either America or Britain. She was relatively quiet for the next few years, re-emerging in 1994 with Last of the Independents, which was hailed as a comeback by some quarters of the press. The album did return the Pretenders to the Top 40, with the ballad "Ill Stand by You." In the fall of 1995, the Pretenders released the live album Isle of View, then remained silent for a few years. Hynde finally returned in 1999 with an album of new material, Viva el Amor. Three years later, the Pretenders left their longtime label for Artemis. The reggae-tinged Loose Screw appeared in November and a tour followed in January 2003. In March 2006, the Pretenders released their first-ever box set, Pirate Radio, via Rhino. The four-disc package included over five hours of music and a DVD of rare performances. Two years later, the Pretenders released Break Up the Concrete, their first album in six years; it debuted at 32 on the Billboard charts and 35 in the U.K. Following the release of Break Up the Concrete, the Pretenders spent the next few years touring, but after 2012, Hynde put the band on hiatus. In 2014, she released Stockholm, her first ever solo album, which was followed in 2015 by her memoir Reckless: My Life as a Pretender. In 2016, Hynde revived the Pretenders to record a new album with Black Keys guitarist Dan Auerbach as producer. Alone emerged in October 2016. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 21 Title: Greatest Hits Released: Tracks: 14 Duration: 55:10 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Back on the Chain Gang (03:51) 2 Don’t Get Me Wrong (03:48) 3 I’ll Stand by You (03:58) 4 Angel of the Morning (03:58) 5 I’m Not in Love (03:46) 6 Forever Young (05:04) 7 2000 Miles (03:39) 8 Brass in Pocket (03:04) 9 Dance! (04:45) 10 Human (03:55) 11 Everyday Is Like Sunday (03:35) 12 Hymn to Her (04:57) 13 I Go to Sleep (02:57) 14 Legalise Me (03:51) |
| Greatest Hits : Allmusic album Review : The Pretenders 1987 collection, The Singles, did a fine job of assembling most of the groups finest tracks up to that point in their career, so after another decade passed, their record company felt it was necessary to compile a more "updated" collection, 2000s Euro-only release Greatest Hits. Although it contains a total of 20 tracks, Greatest Hits ultimately fails to improve over its predecessor, for the simple fact that the early 80s was the Pretenders artistic and commercial peak, and Greatest Hits contains too much latter-day material. Whereas it would have been a wise move to showcase such oft-overlooked classics as "Tattooed Love Boys," "Mystery Achievement," "Precious," "My City Was Gone," or "Birds of Paradise" (all of which werent included on The Singles), Greatest Hits includes such not-as-strong selections as "Night in My Veins," "Breakfast in Bed," and "Human" instead. Although there are quite a few gems included ("Brass in Pocket," "Message of Love," "Talk of the Town," "Kid," "Back on the Chain Gang," etc.), Greatest Hits leaves out far too many prime selections to be considered truly definitive. Also issued at the same time of Greatest Hits was a DVD by the same name that included most of the groups promo video clips. | ||
 | Album: 2 of 21 Title: Pretenders Released: 1980-01-04 Tracks: 12 Duration: 47:04 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Precious (03:36) 2 The Phone Call (02:29) 3 Up the Neck (04:27) 4 Tattooed Love Boys (02:59) 5 Space Invader (03:26) 6 The Wait (03:35) 7 Stop Your Sobbing (02:38) 8 Kid (03:06) 9 Private Life (06:25) 10 Brass in Pocket (03:04) 11 Lovers of Today (05:51) 12 Mystery Achievement (05:23) |
| Pretenders : Allmusic album Review : Few rock & roll records rock as hard or with as much originality as the Pretenders eponymous debut album. A sleek, stylish fusion of Stonesy rock & roll, new wave pop, and pure punk aggression, Pretenders is teeming with sharp hooks and a viciously cool attitude. Although Chrissie Hynde establishes herself as a forceful and distinctively feminine songwriter, the record isnt a singer/songwriters tour de force -- its a rock & roll album, powered by a unique and aggressive band. Guitarist James Honeyman-Scott never plays conventional riffs or leads, and his phased, treated guitar gives new dimension to the pounding rhythms of "Precious," "Tattooed Love Boys," "Up the Neck," and "The Wait," as well as the more measured pop of "Kid," "Brass in Pocket," and "Mystery Achievement." He provides the perfect backing for Hynde and her tough, sexy swagger. Hynde doesnt fit into any conventional female rock stereotype, and neither do her songs, alternately displaying a steely exterior or a disarming emotional vulnerability. Its a deep, rewarding record, whose primary virtue is its sheer energy. Pretenders moves faster and harder than most rock records, delivering an endless series of melodies, hooks, and infectious rhythms in its 12 songs. Few albums, let alone debuts, are ever this astonishingly addictive. | ||
 | Album: 3 of 21 Title: Pretenders II Released: 1981 Tracks: 12 Duration: 46:37 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 The Adultress (03:59) 2 Bad Boys Get Spanked (04:07) 3 Message of Love (03:25) 4 I Go to Sleep (02:57) 5 Birds of Paradise (04:16) 6 Talk of the Town (02:45) 7 Pack It Up (03:52) 8 Waste Not Want Not (03:46) 9 Day After Day (03:47) 10 Jealous Dogs (05:38) 11 The English Roses (04:31) 12 Louie Louie (03:30) |
| Pretenders II : Allmusic album Review : The Pretenders debut album was such a powerful, monumental record that its sequel was bound to be a bit of a disappointment, and Pretenders II is. Essentially, this album is an unabashed sequel, offering more of the same sound, attitude, and swagger, including titles that seem like rips on their predecessors and another Ray Davies cover. This gives the record a bit too much of a pat feeling, especially since the band seems to have a lost a bit of momentum -- they dont rock as hard, Chrissie Hyndes songwriting isnt as consistent, James Honeyman-Scott isnt as inventive or clever. These all are disappointments, yet this first incarnation of the Pretenders was a tremendous band, and even if they offer diminished returns, its still diminished returns on good material, and much of Pretenders II is quite enjoyable. Yes, its a little slicker and more stylized than its predecessor, and, yes, theres a little bit of filler, yet any album where rockers as tough as "Message of Love" and "The Adultress" are balanced by a pop tune as lovely as "Talk of the Town" is hard to resist. And when you realize that this fantastic band only recorded two albums, you take that second album, warts and all, because the teaming of Hynde and Honeyman-Scott was one of the great pairs, and its utterly thrilling to hear them together, even when the material isnt quite up to the high standards they set the first time around. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 21 Title: Extended Play Released: 1981-03-01 Tracks: 5 Duration: 17:50 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Message of Love (03:26) 2 Talk of the Town (02:42) 3 Porcelain (03:53) 4 Cuban Slide (04:32) 5 Precious (03:17) |
 | Album: 5 of 21 Title: Learning to Crawl Released: 1984-01-17 Tracks: 10 Duration: 40:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Middle of the Road (04:14) 2 Back on the Chain Gang (03:51) 3 Time the Avenger (04:55) 4 Watching the Clothes (02:53) 5 Show Me (04:08) 6 Thumbelina (03:17) 7 My City Was Gone (05:24) 8 Thin Line Between Love and Hate (03:44) 9 I Hurt You (04:39) 10 2000 Miles (03:39) |
| Learning to Crawl : Allmusic album Review : Chrissie Hynde took a long, hard road to rock & roll stardom, but when her band, the Pretenders, finally broke through in 1979, they wasted no time, growing from promising newcomers on the British music scene to major international stardom with a pair of smash albums to their credit in a mere three years. But the Pretenders meteoric rise came to a crashing halt in 1982, when drug abuse claimed the life of guitarist James Honeyman-Scott and forced Hynde and drummer Martin Chambers to dump bassist Pete Farndon, who would also succumb to an OD in April 1983. Hynde was forced by circumstance to reinvent the Pretenders for their third album, 1984s Learning to Crawl, but if the new edition of the group lacked some of the spark of the band that made the first two LPs, through sheer force of will Hynde created a masterpiece. While Hynde hardly held back in her emotionally potent songwriting in the Pretenders early work, on Learning to Crawl theres a gravity to her lyrics that blended with her tough but wiry melodic sense and streetwise intelligence to create a set of truly remarkable tunes. "Back on the Chain Gang" is a touching tribute to her fallen comrades that still sounds bitterly rueful, "Middle of the Road" is a furious rocker that explores the emotional and physical toll of a musicians life, "Time the Avenger" is a taut, literate examination of a businessmans adulterous relationship, "My City Was Gone" deals with the economic and cultural decay of the Midwest in a manner both pithy and genuinely heartfelt, and "2000 Miles" is a Christmas number that demonstrates Hynde can be warm without getting sappy. As a guitarist, Robbie McIntosh brought a simpler and more elemental style to the Pretenders than James Honeyman-Scott, but his tough, muscular leads fit these songs well, and bassist Malcolm Fosters solid punch fits Chambers drumming perfectly. Three albums into her recording career, Chrissie Hynde found herself having to put the past to bed and carve out a new beginning for herself with Learning to Crawl, but she pulled it off with a striking mixture of courage, strength, and great rock & roll; with the exception of the instant-classic debut album, its the Pretenders finest work. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 21 Title: Get Close Released: 1986-10 Tracks: 17 Duration: 1:14:47 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 My Baby (04:07) 2 When I Change My Life (03:37) 3 Light of the Moon (03:57) 4 Dance! (06:41) 5 Tradition of Love (05:23) 6 Don’t Get Me Wrong (03:48) 7 I Remember You (02:37) 8 How Much Did You Get for Your Soul? (03:47) 9 Chill Factor (03:26) 10 Hymn to Her (04:57) 11 Room Full of Mirrors (04:44) 12 Hold a Candle to This (alternate version) (03:42) 13 Worlds Within Worlds (03:47) 14 Tradition of Love (remix) (06:14) 15 Dance (take 1) (05:07) 16 Don’t Get Me Wrong (live) (03:49) 17 Thumbelina (live) (05:01) |
| Get Close : Allmusic album Review : In the first edition of the Pretenders, Chrissie Hynde was a smart and streetwise rock & roller with just enough maturity to make something of what life had shown her by her mid-twenties -- and she had the rough-and-tumble band to match for her first two albums. The second version of the group cast her as an unwitting but unbowed survivor, determined to move on and keep rocking despite the deaths of two of her bandmates, and the tough, no-nonsense approach of her new collaborators on Learning to Crawl reflected her attitude. Released in 1986, Get Close marked the debut of the Pretenders Mark Three, and on this album listeners are introduced to Chrissie Hynde, Mature Professional Musician with a band to match. Get Close is never less than solid as a work of craft, and guitarist Robbie McIntosh, drummer Blair Cunningham, and bassist T.M. Stevens deliver tight and emphatic performances throughout, but they also sound like what they are -- journeymen musicians who bring their chops to their projects while leaving their personalities at the door. While Hynde always dominated the Pretenders, by this time it was obvious that this was fully her show, and if she felt less like rocking and more like exploring her emotions and thoughts about parenthood on midtempo pop tunes, no one in the group was going to prod her into doing otherwise; the presence of a large number of additional session players further buffs away any of Get Closes potential sharp edges. Despite all this, Hyndes voice is in great form throughout, and when she gets her dander up, she still has plenty to say and good ways to say it; "How Much Did You Get for Your Soul?" is a gleefully venomous attack on the musically unscrupulous; "Dont Get Me Wrong" is a superb pop tune and a deserved hit single; and the Motown-flavored "I Remember You" and the moody "Chill Factor" suggest shed been learning a lot from her old soul singles. But after three great albums from the Pretenders, Get Close sounded good but not especially striking, and its hit-and-miss approach, with a few great songs surrounded by lesser material, was something Hyndes fans would find themselves getting used to over the groups next few releases. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 21 Title: The Singles Released: 1987-11 Tracks: 16 Duration: 57:34 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Stop Your Sobbing (02:38) 2 Kid (03:06) 3 Brass in Pocket (03:04) 4 Talk of the Town (03:13) 5 I Go to Sleep (02:57) 6 Day After Day (04:01) 7 Message of Love (03:25) 8 Back on the Chain Gang (03:51) 9 Middle of the Road (04:14) 10 2000 Miles (03:39) 11 Show Me (04:08) 12 Thin Line Between Love and Hate (03:40) 13 Don’t Get Me Wrong (03:48) 14 Hymn to Her (04:29) 15 My Baby (04:07) 16 I Got You Babe (03:08) |
| The Singles : Allmusic album Review : The Pretenders burst on the scene in the early 80s with one of the most compelling presentations of rock & roll ever seen. This collection, which highlights their A and B sides up until the mid-80s, shows that Chrissie Hynde and co-conspirators were true masters of the rock single. Tracks such as "Brass in Pocket," "Middle of the Road," and the highly underrated "Message of Love" are spectacularly performed, written, and produced. The early band, especially with James Honeyman-Scotts hook-laden guitar playing, was capable of miracles, and youll find examples of that on virtually every cut. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 21 Title: Packed! Released: 1990-05 Tracks: 13 Duration: 45:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Never Do That (03:19) 2 Let’s Make a Pact (03:18) 3 Millionaires (03:04) 4 May This Be Love (02:43) 5 No Guarantee (03:49) 6 When Will I See You (04:54) 7 Sense of Purpose (03:02) 8 Downtown (Akron) (02:43) 9 How Do I Miss You (04:22) 10 Hold a Candle to This (03:40) 11 Criminal (03:49) 12 Not a Second Time (02:13) 13 Spirit of Life (04:05) |
| Packed! : Allmusic album Review : It may be true that Chrissie Hyndes songs on Packed! are the weakest in her career, but they are not the sole reason why the album is such a bland, uninspiring affair. In the hands of producer Mitchell Froom, Hyndes stylistic retreads become even more unfocused and lackluster. Frooms production lacks any edge, making the pleasant but pedestrian songs bland and featureless. Only a cover of Hendrixs "May This Be Love" and "When Will I See You," a collaboration with guitarist Johnny Marr, stand out amid the number of undistinguished tracks on Packed! | ||
 | Album: 9 of 21 Title: Dont Get Me Wrong Released: 1992 Tracks: 14 Duration: 52:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Don’t Get Me Wrong (03:48) 2 Never Do That (03:19) 3 Room Full of Mirrors (04:35) 4 The Wait (03:37) 5 Money (live) (04:19) 6 Cuban Slide (04:32) 7 Sense of Purpose (03:02) 8 Thin Line Between Love and Hate (03:40) 9 Porcelain (03:55) 10 Time the Avenger (04:55) 11 Tattooed Love Boys (02:59) 12 Louie Louie (03:30) 13 Watching the Clothes (02:52) 14 Brass in Pocket (03:04) |
| Don't Get Me Wrong : Allmusic album Review : "Fourteen classic tracks," proclaims the cover of this discount-priced compilation, and given that the recordings are drawn from the Pretenders 1979-1990 catalog, thats a fair description. But although every one of those tracks was released on one or the other side of a single in the U.K. and/or U.S., this is not an album of 14 hits. The leadoff song and title track, "Dont Get Me Wrong," reached the Top Ten in both countries; the final song, "Brass in Pocket," was a British chart-topper and U.S. Top 20; and the cover of the Persuaders "Thin Line Between Love and Hate" was a chart entry in both countries. Otherwise, this is an album of lesser-known Pretenders songs, either also-ran A-sides like "Never Do That" and "Sense of Purpose" or favorite early tracks like "The Wait" and "Tattooed Love Boys." The live cover of Barrett Strongs "Money" is a fairly obscure non-LP B-side that Pretenders lead singer Chrissie Hynde caustically dedicates to the bands who played the US Festival as well as those who didnt because they werent offered large enough fees. While the jumbled sequencing leads to sometimes odd juxtapositions between earlier, harder-rocking Pretenders tracks and later, more melodic ones, this is a good selection of material, reflecting the overall consistency of the bands output. Just dont buy it looking for a hits collection. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 21 Title: 977 Released: 1994 Tracks: 4 Duration: 16:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 977 (03:53) 2 Back on the Chain Gang (live) (04:24) 3 Night in My Veins (live) (03:46) 4 Precious (live) (04:24) |
 | Album: 11 of 21 Title: Last of the Independents Released: 1994-05-09 Tracks: 13 Duration: 49:14 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Hollywood Perfume (03:55) 2 Night in My Veins (03:16) 3 Money Talk (03:39) 4 977 (03:53) 5 Revolution (04:32) 6 All My Dreams (03:14) 7 I’ll Stand by You (03:58) 8 I’m a Mother (05:17) 9 Tequila (01:04) 10 Every Mother’s Son (03:36) 11 Rebel Rock Me (03:07) 12 Love Colours (04:32) 13 Forever Young (05:04) |
| Last of the Independents : Allmusic album Review : Chrissie Hynde rebounds from the directionless Packed! with Last of the Independents, a tough album that proves she can mature without losing her edge. Most of the record crackles with the lean power of Learning to Crawl, occasionally stopping for a lushly produced number recalling Get Close. Although the record goes on a little too long and there are a couple of weak songs, particularly the anthemic "Im a Mother," Last of the Independents re-establishes Hynde as a powerful and insightful rocker. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 21 Title: The Isle of View Released: 1995 Tracks: 15 Duration: 58:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Sense of Purpose (03:51) 2 Chill Factor (04:00) 3 Private Life (04:42) 4 Back on the Chain Gang (04:18) 5 Kid (03:59) 6 I Hurt You (04:23) 7 Criminal (04:18) 8 Brass in Pocket (03:24) 9 2000 Miles (03:32) 10 Hymn to Her (03:53) 11 Lovers of Today (05:19) 12 The Phone Call (02:55) 13 I Go to Sleep (02:57) 14 Revolution (06:28) 15 The Isle of View (00:42) |
| The Isle of View : Allmusic album Review : Essentially, Isle of View is the Pretenders "unplugged" album. Chrissie Hynde runs through 15 of the groups songs, from hits like "Back on the Chain Gang" to more obscure numbers like "Lovers of Today." Occasionally, she is backed by a string quartet, including on a drastically rearranged (and poorly conceived) "Kid," but the the strings arent as effective or startling as the piano of Blurs Damon Albarn on "I Go to Sleep." Even though it features a number of reinterpretations of some of the Pretenders greatest songs, Isle of View is one of the groups lesser efforts, simply because there arent any new versions here that surpass the originals. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 21 Title: ¡Viva el amor! Released: 1999-06 Tracks: 12 Duration: 45:09 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Popstar (03:34) 2 Human (03:55) 3 From the Heart Down (03:31) 4 Nails in the Road (03:25) 5 Who’s Who (04:11) 6 Dragway 42 (05:19) 7 Baby’s Breath (03:15) 8 One More Time (03:15) 9 Legalise Me (03:51) 10 Samurai (04:43) 11 Rabo de Nube (01:26) 12 Biker (04:40) |
| ¡Viva el amor! : Allmusic album Review : Since Packed! (at least), each new record from the Pretenders has been hailed as Chrissie Hyndes return to form (praise that was thrown at Learning to Crawl, by the way), and its hard not to resist to say the same of Viva el Amor!, the seventh studio album from the Pretenders. So, we wont say that, even though it may be true. At the very least, Viva el Amor! is a very appealing, focused album from Hynde and Martin Chambers, their most consistent album in years. Its not just that the songs are uniformly good (Hyndes writing is sharp again, without seeming bitter or jaded), its that the record sounds excellent -- a clean, uncluttered production that enhances the muscular performances. For the first time since Get Close, there is a minimum of sentiment -- the ballads are never saccharine, even when the melody is lovely -- and Hynde resists her temptation for exaggerated metaphors or embarrassing phrases (even if her continuing fascination with bikers is puzzling). Viva el Amor! never provides a knock-out punch, even on the level of "Night in My Veins," but it never lags in momentum, as many Pretenders records do. Hynde sounds committed and convincing on each song, turning the album into one of the groups strongest. | ||
 | Album: 14 of 21 Title: Loose Screw Released: 2002-11-12 Tracks: 14 Duration: 56:33 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Lie to Me (02:25) 2 Time (04:01) 3 You Know Who Your Friends Are (03:30) 4 Complex Person (02:48) 5 Fools Must Die (02:36) 6 Kinda Nice, I Like It (03:39) 7 Nothing Breaks Like a Heart (03:28) 8 I Should Of (04:03) 9 Clean Up Woman (03:27) 10 The Losing (04:50) 11 Saving Grace (03:22) 12 Walk Like a Panther (04:44) 13 Complicada (Complex Person Spanish version) (02:59) 14 I Wish You Love (10:35) |
| Loose Screw : Allmusic album Review : The Pretenders eighth studio album, Loose Screw, is their first on an independent label after 20 years with Warner, but the switch hasnt made any difference in the groups style. It may have seemed to listeners that later albums softened the bands mainstream rock sound in an attempt to restore commerciality, especially when professional songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly began writing with group leader Chrissie Hynde. (They co-wrote the Pretenders comeback hit single, 1994s "Ill Stand by You.") But in fact, the Pretenders have always mixed hard rock songs with ballads, and while Steinberg and Kelly are still onboard for two songs here ("Nothing Breaks Like a Heart" and "Saving Grace") that are among the albums more melancholy and melodic, slow tunes, there are also plenty of tough, unsentimental, guitar-driven songs in the traditional Pretenders mold. Lead guitarist Adam Seymour, in the band since 1994, has mastered the style of the bands original guitarist, James Honeyman-Scott, a mixture of jarring chord fragments and chiming sounds. Drummer Martin Chambers continues to keep strict tempos and to favor bits of reggae-like syncopation, especially in the slower songs. But one still listens to a Pretenders album for Hyndes throaty, murmuring alto and lacerating observations, and she fulfills expectations immediately with the harsh leadoff track, "Lie to Me," beginning a song series devoted to romantic conflict and recrimination. Some of that criticism is self-directed, notably on "Complex Person" and "I Should Of," two appealing songs and could-be-hits, that is, if Hynde didnt deliberately drop an expletive into the lyrics of each. A major label probably would have argued against that sort of thing, and maybe theres the difference in being on an indie. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 21 Title: Pirate Radio Released: 2006-03-14 Tracks: 81 Duration: 5:12:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Precious (Regent Park demo) (03:42) 2 Stop Your Sobbing (02:38) 3 The Wait (single version) (03:09) 4 Kid (03:06) 5 Tattooed Love Boys (02:59) 6 Mystery Achievement (05:23) 7 Brass in Pocket (03:04) 8 Porcelain (03:54) 9 Talk of the Town (U.K. single version) (03:15) 10 Message of Love (03:25) 11 Cuban Slide (04:32) 12 What You Gonna Do About It (02:44) 13 The Adultress (03:59) 14 Bad Boys Get Spanked (04:07) 15 I Go to Sleep (02:57) 16 Day After Day (03:47) 17 Birds of Paradise (04:16) 18 The English Roses (04:31) 19 Time the Avenger (04:55) 20 Watching the Clothes (Denmark Street demo) (02:53) 21 Show Me (04:14) 1 Back on the Chain Gang (03:51) 2 Thumbelina (03:17) 3 Thin Line Between Love and Hate (03:44) 4 My City Was Gone (05:24) 5 Middle of the Road (04:14) 6 Tequila (03:33) 7 2000 Miles (03:39) 8 When I Change My Life (alternate version) (03:58) 9 My Baby (04:07) 10 Worlds Within Worlds (03:47) 11 Don’t Get Me Wrong (03:48) 12 Hymn to Her (04:57) 13 Tradition of Love (05:23) 14 Room Full of Mirrors (04:35) 15 Reconsider Me (Monitor mix) (03:18) 16 Hold a Candle to This (alternate version) (03:42) 17 Windows of the World (02:59) 18 Never Do That (03:19) 19 No Guarantee (03:49) 20 Not a Second Time (02:13) 1 Sense of Purpose (03:02) 2 Downtown (Akron) (02:43) 3 How Do I Miss You (04:22) 4 Bold as Love (03:24) 5 When Will I See You (04:54) 6 Hollywood Perfume (03:55) 7 Night in My Veins (03:16) 8 977 (03:53) 9 All My Dreams (03:14) 10 Angel of the Morning (original version) (03:31) 11 Money Talk (03:39) 12 Rebel Rock Me (03:07) 13 I’ll Stand by You (03:58) 14 Every Mothers Son (demo) (03:46) 15 Love Colours (04:32) 16 Private Life (live) (04:55) 17 Lovers of Today (live) (05:25) 18 Creep (live) (04:02) 19 Criminal (live) (04:18) 20 Revolution (live) (05:32) 1 Everyday Is Like Sunday (03:42) 2 Human (Class mix) (03:57) 3 Popstar (03:34) 4 Back Down (04:16) 5 California (04:32) 6 The Needle and the Damage Done (03:45) 7 From the Heart Down (alternate version) (03:41) 8 Who’s Who (04:11) 9 Biker (04:40) 10 Nails in the Road (03:25) 11 Legalize Me (03:56) 12 The Homecoming (live) (04:53) 13 Up the Neck (live) (04:35) 14 Fools Must Die (live) (03:03) 15 Nothing Breaks Like a Heart (03:28) 16 Lie to Me (02:22) 17 Complex Person (02:48) 18 You Know Who Your Friends Are (03:30) 19 I Should Of (04:03) 20 The Losing (04:50) |
| Pirate Radio : Allmusic album Review : To say that Warner/Rhino/Sires 2006 four-CD, one-DVD box set Pirate Radio is for the die-hard Pretenders fan may be stating the obvious -- after all, career-spanning multi-disc sets heavy on rarities are by definition for diehards. But die-hard Pretenders fans are different than other die-hard fans, since they can be easily split into two separate camps: those who followed Chrissie Hynde throughout her career, and those who lost interest somewhere after 1983s Learning to Crawl, the triumphant third album that proved Hynde was above all a survivor. After that, Pretenders records were notoriously hit-or-miss affairs, sometimes holding together a little better than others, but patchy enough to whittle down their audience to just the dedicated, while still indicating that a killer comp could be pieced together from these records. Is Pirate Radio that comp? No, not really. It has almost all of their charting singles and many of their best album tracks, but its not a lean collection of nothing but the best from the Pretenders; it has too many rarities and treats each portion of their career too evenhandedly to be that. By the end of the first disc, Pirate Radio has already dipped into Learning to Crawl, and well over half the collection is devoted to music released from 1990 on -- an era that had two solid albums (1994s Last of the Independents and 2002s Loose Screw) and one strong one (1999s Viva el Amor), plus a popular if subdued live album (1995s Isle of View). This era was certainly good, but in no way matched the intensity of their first five years as a band, particularly in its first incarnation when Hynde was in a gang with guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, bassist Pete Farndon, and drummer Martin Chambers. The first disc bears this out through its rarities, where the original 1978 demo of "Precious" is nearly as tough as the one on the groups peerless debut, while the Nick Lowe-produced single version of "The Wait" has a reckless energy. Even songs that seemed like throwaways at the time have aged into mini-masterpieces: there are the two songs that had been stranded on the 1981 Extended Play EP -- the tense, dramatic "Porcelain" and the infectious "Cuban Slide" -- plus a dynamic take on the Small Faces "What You Gonna Do About It." All three enhance the reputation of the original Pretenders while filling out corners in their history, something that cant quite be said about the deluge of rarities that follows over the next three discs. Not that the 13 previously unreleased cuts and six stray songs (mostly from B-sides and tribute singles) are bad by any means -- there are quite a few gems in this batch, particularly the terrific country tune "Tequila" (dating from the first days of the band, but cut during Learning to Crawl), the searching outtake "When I Change My Life," and a bunch of covers, including takes on the Beatles "Not a Second Time," Warren Zevons "Reconsider Me," Radioheads "Creep," and Merrilee Rushs "Angel of the Morning." But as the box shifts into second gear halfway through the second disc, it stops being a set that holds appeal to both camps of Pretenders fans and becomes the province of those who have faithfully followed Hynde throughout her ups and down. For those fans, Pirate Radio is pretty much an unqualified delight. It rounds up the best of the uncollected songs, it presents an accurate and thorough history, it sounds terrific, it has great and comprehensive notes from Ben Edmonds (along with some track-by-track comments from Hynde), and the DVD is filled with thrilling television performances (eight of the 19 clips on the disc are from the original lineup, plus there are two from the Learning to Crawl group), which is alone worth the price of the set for the truly devoted. And ultimately thats who Pirate Radio is for -- for fans who love Hynde, warts and all. Its for the fans who believe that, despite (or perhaps because of) the peaks and valleys, she is indeed how Nick Lowe describes her: "shes still the same girl we were all in love with nearly 30 years ago...and Chrissies still the coolest girl in the world." For those who agree with Basher, Pirate Radio is proof that their love has not been in vain. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 21 Title: Break Up the Concrete Released: 2008-08-28 Tracks: 11 Duration: 36:48 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Boots of Chinese Plastic (02:31) 2 The Nothing Maker (03:58) 3 Don’t Lose Faith in Me (02:45) 4 Don’t Cut Your Hair (02:14) 5 Love’s a Mystery (03:01) 6 The Last Ride (03:40) 7 Almost Perfect (04:48) 8 You Didn’t Have To (03:09) 9 Rosalee (04:14) 10 Break Up the Concrete (02:41) 11 One Thing Never Changed (03:44) |
| Break Up the Concrete : Allmusic album Review : Break Up the Concrete is the first Pretenders album since 1990s Packed! where Chrissie Hynde wrote almost every song on the album on her own, but unlike the generally listless Packed!, Break Up the Concrete is an effective rebirth for Hynde, a reconnection to her roots undoubtedly effected by her return to her native Ohio. This may be a stripped-down record carrying echoes of the Pretenders past, but this is hardly a conscious re-creation of the groups first two records, as it lacks any of the stylish guitar colorings of James Honeyman-Scott, and the groups early hard rock swagger has been swapped out for a frenetic rockabilly bop, as infectious on the barrel-headed boogie "Dont Cut Your Hair" and Bo Diddley romp of the title track as it is on the ingenious Dylan send-up "Boots of Chinese Plastic." Hyndes revived rockabilly roll finds a comfortable pairing in the easy county-rock vibe of her ballads, of which there are far more of than there are rockers here. This emphasis on rockabilly and country-rock gives Break Up the Concrete a bit of an Americana feel -- something enhanced by the gently murmuring accordion on "You Didnt Have To," which otherwise is a cousin to the sighing pop of "Kid" -- but this doesnt necessarily feel like a departure for Hynde: it just feels like a lively, deeply felt Pretenders album, one that has better songs and better performances than usual. | ||
 | Album: 17 of 21 Title: Original Album Series Released: 2009 Tracks: 58 Duration: 3:50:42 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Precious (03:36) 2 The Phone Call (02:29) 3 Up the Neck (04:27) 4 Tattooed Love Boys (02:59) 5 Space Invader (03:26) 6 The Wait (03:35) 7 Stop Your Sobbing (02:38) 8 Kid (03:06) 9 Private Life (06:25) 10 Brass in Pocket (03:04) 11 Lovers of Today (05:51) 12 Mystery Achievement (05:23) 1 The Adultress (03:59) 2 Bad Boys Get Spanked (04:07) 3 Message of Love (03:25) 4 I Go to Sleep (02:57) 5 Birds of Paradise (04:16) 6 Talk of the Town (02:45) 7 Pack It Up (03:52) 8 Waste Not Want Not (03:46) 9 Day After Day (03:47) 10 Jealous Dogs (05:38) 11 The English Roses (04:31) 12 Louie Louie (03:30) 1 Middle of the Road (04:14) 2 Back on the Chain Gang (03:51) 3 Time the Avenger (04:55) 4 Watching the Clothes (02:53) 5 Show Me (04:08) 6 Thumbelina (03:17) 7 My City Was Gone (05:24) 8 Thin Line Between Love and Hate (03:44) 9 I Hurt You (04:39) 10 2000 Miles (03:39) 1 My Baby (04:07) 2 When I Change My Life (03:37) 3 Light of the Moon (03:57) 4 Dance! (06:41) 5 Tradition of Love (05:23) 6 Don’t Get Me Wrong (03:48) 7 I Remember You (02:37) 8 How Much Did You Get for Your Soul? (03:47) 9 Chill Factor (03:26) 10 Hymn to Her (04:57) 11 Room Full of Mirrors (04:35) 1 Hollywood Perfume (03:55) 2 Night in My Veins (03:16) 3 Money Talk (03:39) 4 977 (03:53) 5 Revolution (04:32) 6 All My Dreams (03:14) 7 I’ll Stand by You (03:58) 8 I’m a Mother (05:17) 9 Tequila (01:04) 10 Every Mother’s Son (03:36) 11 Rebel Rock Me (03:07) 12 Love Colours (04:32) 13 Forever Young (05:04) |
| Original Album Series : Allmusic album Review : When the Pretenders burst on the scene in 1979 with the singles "Kid," "Brass in Pocket," and "Stop Your Sobbing," they were a breath of fresh air, a band that combined the energy and attitude of punk with top-shelf songwriting courtesy of Chrissie Hynde, and an appreciation of the best of rocks past and present. The original lineup of the Pretenders cut two superb albums -- 1980s Pretenders and 1981s Pretenders II -- before the deaths of guitarist James Honeyman-Scott and bassist Pete Farndon forced Hynde and drummer Martin Chambers to reinvent the group on their third album, 1984s excellent Learning to Crawl. Original Albums Series is a box set that features the Pretenders first three albums in full, along with two other fine titles from their catalog, 1986s Get Close and 1994s Last of the Independents, providing a well-detailed picture of this group at their best and most influential. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 21 Title: The Best Of / Break Up the Concrete Released: 2009-06-01 Tracks: 33 Duration: 1:55:59 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Talk of the Town (03:13) 2 Kid (03:06) 3 Back on the Chain Gang (03:51) 4 Brass in Pocket (03:04) 5 Message of Love (03:25) 6 Night in My Veins (03:17) 7 Don’t Get Me Wrong (03:48) 8 Middle of the Road (04:14) 9 I’ll Stand by You (03:58) 10 Stop Your Sobbing (02:38) 11 Hymn to Her (04:32) 12 Precious (03:36) 13 Thumbelina (03:17) 14 Cuban Slide (04:32) 15 My City Was Gone (04:21) 16 Day After Day (04:01) 17 I Go to Sleep (02:57) 18 Thin Line Between Love and Hate (03:40) 19 Fools Must Die (02:36) 20 Up the Neck (04:22) 21 2000 Miles (03:39) 22 Tattooed Love Boys (02:59) 1 Boots of Chinese Plastic (02:25) 2 The Nothing Maker (03:58) 3 Don’t Lose Faith in Me (02:45) 4 Don’t Cut Your Hair (02:14) 5 Love’s a Mystery (03:01) 6 The Last Ride (03:40) 7 Almost Perfect (04:48) 8 You Didn’t Have To (03:09) 9 Rosalee (04:14) 10 Break Up the Concrete (02:41) 11 One Thing Never Changed (03:44) |
 | Album: 19 of 21 Title: Live in London Released: 2010-02-09 Tracks: 19 Duration: 1:11:22 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Boots of Chinese Plastic (02:40) 2 Don’t Cut Your Hair (02:27) 3 Talk of the Town (03:16) 4 Kid (03:46) 5 The Nothing Maker (04:00) 6 Don’t Lose Faith in Me (02:52) 7 Back on the Chain Gang (04:18) 8 Love’s a Mystery (03:06) 9 Don’t Get Me Wrong (04:14) 10 Tequila (04:36) 11 Stop Your Sobbing (03:14) 12 Day After Day (03:51) 13 Cuban Slide (04:47) 14 Middle of the Road (05:18) 15 The Wait (03:31) 16 Tattooed Love Boys (03:17) 17 Precious (04:36) 18 I’ll Stand by You (04:35) 19 Brass in Pocket (02:58) |
| Live in London : Allmusic album Review : Proving that the Pretenders unexpected 2008 revival wasn’t limited to the studio and the excellent Break Up the Concrete, the 2010 CD/DVD set Live in London finds Chrissie Hynde’s band lean and vital, running through classics and new tunes with equal vigor. While this is founded on the former -- “Back on the Chain Gang,” “Brass in Pocket,” “Middle of the Road,” and “I’ll Stand by You” all make appearances -- the newer songs gain strength in this setting, and the Pretenders slip in some nice surprises, chief among them an airing of “Cuban Slide” toward the end of the set. What’s best about this set is that it’s not a grand reunion, or an attempt to recapture past glories: it’s a testament to the power and pleasure of a working band. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 21 Title: 1979–1999 Released: 2015-02-16 Tracks: 189 Duration: 12:26:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 Precious (03:36) 2 The Phone Call (02:29) 3 Up the Neck (04:27) 4 Tattooed Love Boys (02:59) 5 Space Invader (03:26) 6 The Wait (03:35) 7 Stop Your Sobbing (02:38) 8 Kid (03:06) 9 Private Life (06:25) 10 Brass in Pocket (03:04) 11 Lovers of Today (05:51) 12 Mystery Achievement (05:23) 13 Swinging London (01:53) 14 Nervous but Shy (01:43) 15 Cuban Slide (04:32) 16 Porcelain (03:54) 17 Precious (live) (03:25) 18 Kid (1987 extended remix) (05:19) 1 The Phone Call (late 1977) (02:21) 2 Brass in Pocket (February 1978) (03:46) 3 Precious (April 1978) (03:43) 4 The Wait (April 1978) (03:07) 5 Stop Your Sobbing (April 1978) (02:22) 6 I Can’t Control Myself (April 1978) (04:22) 7 Tequila (April 1978) (05:20) 8 Kid (December 1978) (04:04) 9 Sabre Dance (The Marquee, April 1979) (03:51) 10 I Need Somebody (The Kid Jensen Show, July 1979) (04:04) 11 Mystery Achievement (The Kid Jensen Show, July 1979) (04:52) 12 Precious (The Paradise Theatre, March 1980) (03:25) 13 Tatooed Love Boys (The Paradise Theatre, March 1980) (03:04) 1 The Adultress (03:59) 2 Bad Boys Get Spanked (04:07) 3 Message of Love (03:25) 4 I Go to Sleep (02:57) 5 Birds of Paradise (04:16) 6 Talk of the Town (02:45) 7 Pack It Up (03:52) 8 Waste Not Want Not (03:46) 9 Day After Day (03:47) 10 Jealous Dogs (05:38) 11 The English Roses (04:31) 12 Louie Louie (03:30) 1 Talk of the Town (demo) (02:46) 2 I Go to Sleep (guitar version – outtake) (02:58) 3 Pack It Up (radio mix – outtake) (03:51) 4 In the Sticks (02:39) 5 What You Gonna Do About It (02:44) 6 The Wait (03:22) 7 The Adultress (04:05) 8 Message of Love (03:28) 9 Louie Louie (03:42) 10 Talk of the Town (03:17) 11 Birds of Paradise (04:17) 12 The English Roses (04:51) 13 Up the Neck (05:57) 14 Bad Boys Get Spanked (03:02) 15 Stop Your Sobbing (03:26) 16 Private Life (07:04) 17 Kid (03:48) 18 Day After Day (04:41) 19 Brass in Pocket (03:11) 20 Higher and Higher (04:17) 1 Middle of the Road (04:14) 2 Back on the Chain Gang (03:51) 3 Time the Avenger (04:55) 4 Watching the Clothes (02:52) 5 Show Me (04:08) 6 Thumbelina (03:17) 7 My City Was Gone (05:24) 8 Thin Line Between Love and Hate (03:44) 9 I Hurt You (04:35) 10 2000 Miles (03:39) 1 Fast or Slow (The Law’s the Law) (03:14) 2 Money (live) (04:36) 3 Time the Avenger (live) (04:22) 4 Bad Boys Get Spanked (live) (03:10) 5 My City Was Gone (live) (04:40) 6 Tequila (03:33) 7 I Hurt You (August 1982) (04:05) 8 When I Change My Life (August 1982) (04:42) 9 Ramblin’ Rob (August 1982) (03:31) 10 Watching the Clothes (August 1982) (02:50) 1 My Baby (04:07) 2 When I Change My Life (03:37) 3 Light of the Moon (03:57) 4 Dance! (04:45) 5 Tradition of Love (05:23) 6 Don’t Get Me Wrong (03:48) 7 I Remember You (02:37) 8 How Much Did You Get for Your Soul? (03:47) 9 Chill Factor (03:26) 10 Hymn to Her (04:57) 11 Room Full of Mirrors (04:35) 1 Dance (full length version) (06:48) 2 Room Full of Mirrors (extended version) (09:48) 3 Tradition of Love (extended remix) (06:11) 4 Thumbelina (live) (05:01) 5 Middle of the Road (live) (04:29) 6 Private Life (live) (07:16) 7 Dance (take 1) (05:07) 8 Don’t Get Me Wrong (live in Austin, 1987) (03:50) 9 Hold a Candle to This (alternate version) (03:42) 10 Worlds Within Worlds (03:47) 11 When I Change My Life (alternate version) (03:58) 12 Reconsider Me (Monitor mix) (03:18) 13 Where Has Everyboady Gone (from “The Living Daylights”) (03:37) 14 If There Was a Man (from “The Living Daylights”) (02:51) 15 Windows of the World (from “1969”) (03:00) 16 Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (04:37) 1 Never Do That (03:19) 2 Let’s Make a Pact (03:18) 3 Millionaires (03:04) 4 May This Be Love (02:43) 5 No Guarantee (03:49) 6 When Will I See You (04:54) 7 Sense of Purpose (03:02) 8 Downtown (Akron) (02:43) 9 How Do I Miss You (04:22) 10 Hold a Candle to This (03:40) 11 Criminal (03:49) 12 Not a Second Time (02:13) 13 Spirit of Life (04:05) 1 Hollywood Perfume (03:55) 2 Night in My Veins (03:16) 3 Money Talk (03:39) 4 977 (03:53) 5 Revolution (04:32) 6 All My Dreams (03:14) 7 I’ll Stand by You (03:58) 8 I’m a Mother (05:17) 9 Tequila (01:04) 10 Every Mother’s Son (03:36) 11 Rebel Rock Me (03:07) 12 Love Colours (04:32) 13 Forever Young (05:04) 1 Angel of the Morning (04:06) 2 Bold as Love (03:24) 3 Hollywood Perfume (live) (04:13) 4 Kid (live) (03:56) 5 I’ll Stand by You (live) (04:04) 6 Back on the Chain Gang (live) (04:19) 7 Night in My Veins (live) (03:40) 8 Precious (live) (04:26) 9 Angel of the Morning (original version) (03:31) 10 Every Mothers Son (demo) (03:46) 11 I’m Not in Love (from “Indecent Proposal”) (03:51) 12 Everyday Is Like Sunday (from “Boys on the Side”) (03:38) 1 Sense of Purpose (03:51) 2 Chill Factor (04:00) 3 Private Life (04:42) 4 Back on the Chain Gang (04:18) 5 Kid (03:59) 6 I Hurt You (04:23) 7 Criminal (04:18) 8 Brass in Pocket (03:24) 9 2000 Miles (03:32) 10 Hymn to Her (03:53) 11 Lovers of Today (05:19) 12 The Phone Call (02:55) 13 I Go to Sleep (02:57) 14 Revolution (06:28) 15 The Isle of View (00:42) 16 Creep (04:03) 17 Happy Christmas (04:53) 18 Night of My Veins (03:47) 19 Tequila (acoustic live) (03:10) 1 Popstar (03:34) 2 Human (03:55) 3 From the Heart Down (03:31) 4 Nails in the Road (03:25) 5 Who’s Who (04:11) 6 Dragway 42 (05:19) 7 Baby’s Breath (03:15) 8 One More Time (03:15) 9 Legalise Me (03:51) 10 Samurai (04:43) 11 Rabo de Nube (01:26) 12 Biker (04:40) 1 The Homecoming (Street version) (04:16) 2 Human (Class mix) (03:57) 3 The Needle and the Damage Done (03:45) 4 Samurai (Street mix) (05:47) 5 Back Down (04:16) 6 California (04:32) 7 From the Heart Down (alternate version) (03:41) 8 Goin’ Back (04:06) 9 Goodbye (instrumental G.I. Jane version) (04:34) 10 The Homecoming (from “G.I. Jane”) (04:23) |
 | Album: 21 of 21 Title: Alone Released: 2016-10-21 Tracks: 27 Duration: 46:02 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Allmusic Wikipedia AlbumCover | 1 Alone (03:49) 2 Roadie Man (03:54) 3 Gotta Wait (02:58) 4 Never Be Together (04:01) 5 Let’s Get Lost (03:03) 6 Chord Lord (03:14) 7 Blue Eyed Sky (04:51) 8 The Man You Are (03:45) 9 One More Day (04:15) 10 I Hate Myself (04:43) 11 Death Is Not Enough (03:11) 12 Holy Commotion (04:12) 1 Alone (live at Glastonbury Festival, UK, 23 June 2017) (?) 2 Gotta Wait (live at Bospop Festival, the Netherlands, 8 July 2017) (?) 3 Message of Love (live at Austin City Limits, Texas, 13 March 2017) (?) 4 Private Life (live at Austin City Limits, Texas, 13 March 2017) (?) 5 Down the Wrong Way (live at Austin City Limits, Texas, 13 March 2017) (?) 6 Don’t Get Me Wrong (live at Glastonbury Festival, UK, 23 June 2017) (?) 7 Night in My Veins (live at Glastonbury Festival, UK, 23 June 2017) (?) 8 Let’s Get Lost (live at La Salle Pleyel, Paris, 26 June 2017) (?) 9 I Hate Myself (live at La Salle Pleyel, Paris, 26 June 2017) (?) 10 I’ll Stand by You (live at the Isle of Wight Festival, UK, 9 June 2017) (?) 11 Boots of Chinese Plastic (live at EDP Jazz Festival, Portugal, 19 July 2017) (?) 12 Thumbelina (live at EDP Jazz Festival, Portugal, 19 July 2017) (?) 13 Up the Neck (live at Austin City Limits, Texas, 13 March 2017) (?) 14 Mystery Achievement (live at Austin City Limits, Texas, 13 March 2017) (?) 15 Middle of the Road (live at Austin City Limits, Texas, 13 March 2017) (?) |
| Alone : Allmusic album Review : Chrissie Hynde sneers "I like being alone" on the title track and opening song on Alone, the first Pretenders album since 2006s Break Up the Concrete. That much is true. She may have revived the Pretenders name for Alone, the follow-up to her belated 2014 solo debut, Stockholm, but, just like in 2006, Martin Chambers isnt in the studio. Instead, Hynde is collaborating with Black Key Dan Auerbach, who brings in half of his side project the Arcs to help him play the instruments on Alone. Unsurprisingly, this studio incarnation of the Pretenders shares some 60s AM aesthetics with the Arcs, sometimes cooking along with the cool grace of Memphis soul and sometimes feeling as thick as rockers cranked out in a greasy garage. The latter is familiar territory for Hynde but the former is a new wrinkle for her, so one of the pleasures of Alone is hearing her laying back in a slow, soulful groove. "Roadie Man" simmers like classic Booker T. & the MGs, "Never Be Together" feels like a dispatch from an alternate Stax, while "One More Day" trades in a bit of bossa nova, a bit of rhythmic flair that illustrates how often Hynde and Auerbach play with forgotten 60s pop sounds. This gives Alone a supple, attractive feel, but Auerbach also encourages Hynde to lean into her tough side so that Alone swaggers like a classic Pretenders album. Attitude counts for a lot with Chrissie Hynde, but the true appeal of Alone is how it marries solid songwriting with a sympathetic, surprising production, all of which amounts to a very satisfying Pretenders album. | ||