This is a Random Album Generator.
One album a day.
From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
Get Started

Pretenders

Pretenders

1979
Pretenders
Album Summary

Pretenders is the debut studio album by British-American band the Pretenders, released on 27 December 1979 on Sire Records in the US and on 7 January 1980 under Real Records in the UK. A combination of rock, punk and pop music, this album made the band famous. The album features the singles "Stop Your Sobbing", "Kid" and "Brass in Pocket". Nick Lowe produced the Pretenders' first single, "Stop Your Sobbing", but decided not to work with them again as he thought the band was "not going anywhere". Chris Thomas took over on the subsequent recording sessions.

Wikipedia

Rating

3.37

Votes

7075
Genres
Rock
New Wave
Punk

Reviews

Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!
Sort by: Top Date
View Author
Wed May 12 2021
4

This is what 1001 albums is for. I had only heard the radio hits and kind of written the Pretenders off for some reason. Just never took the time to listen further. This is way edgier than what I was expecting. Like the punk energy with the catchy pop hooks. Chrissie Hynde has instantly shot up into my top female performers of all time list. Had no idea she was the lead songwriter and rhythm guitarist. Love her vocal style. Like some kind of hybrid of Joni Mitchell and Patti Smith. Super impressed. Have to say, though I love Nick Lowe, I'm glad he only produced the one single and not the rest of the album. His track is too thin and bright and kind of sticks out awkwardly in the mix of the album. I think I'll be going through the rest of their catalog now.

👍
View Author
Sat Jan 23 2021
4

Their later albums have more hits, but you can still appreciate edgy songwriting and Chrissie Hynde's great voice

👍
View Author
Sat Mar 13 2021
5

Está pirata que nunca he escuchado bien a esta banda, a pesar de que su cantante me cae de huevos y que conozco su historia, papel e importancia en el punk inglés. Siempre asumí que era una banda más new wavey, como más plasticona. Pero no, eh, la neta este disco está chingón. De lo que me he perdido. Oh no, porque siendo honesto, no me hubiera gustado esto tanto más morro. En fin, es un gran disco de los 80, del punk, del new wave. ¿Noto una cierta influencia en PJ Harvey? No se me hace tan descabellado. También me dejó claro que si unes The Clash + Pretenders te salen los Libertines. Increíbles riffs a montones. Space Invader, wow.

👍
View Author
Wed May 12 2021
5

Interesting instrumentals, sometimes with odd time signatures. Unique voice and singing style. I love the drums especially, the drummer stays right in the pocket and matches the songs' vibes perfectly.

👍
View Author
Thu Jul 01 2021
5

This is great, love the singer, love the instrumentation, love the aggression. Definitely a new favorite.

👍
View Author
Mon Mar 15 2021
4

"Now I see you All impressed and half undressed You got paint stick all over the scars and lumps and bumps" (Tattooed love boys) "I said child, child staring into the street light And messed up child, lonely boy tonight Kick the wall, turn the street and back again Oh boy you've been forgotten" (The wait) "Your private life drama baby leave me out J'ai les glands with your theatrics Your acting's a drag It's o.k. on TV 'cause you can turn it off But don't try me Yes your marriage is a tragedy But it's not my concern I'm very superficial I hate anything official" (Private life) ¡Qué alegría escuchar a una señora para variar!

👍
View Author
Mon Jan 18 2021
5

This is incredible! I’ve never heard the Pretenders before and am pleasantly surprised.

👍
View Author
Sat Mar 13 2021
5

10/10 nada más porque tengo un soft spot por las bandas de rock lideradas por mujeres. Aunque la verdad, más allá de eso, sí disfruté mucho el álbum. Creo que el hilo conductor es la voz de Chrissie Hynde, que es muy poderosa y la sabe adaptar (?) a los distintos ritmos que encontramos en el disco, además de a las letras. Y pensar que iba a “Did not listen”.

👍
View Author
Fri Jul 16 2021
5

This is a really stunning debut album, long a favorite of mine. Some of these songs have been classics for years both for mainstream and alternative audiences, it's hard to imagine what the impact must have been when the songs were new. What an amazing contrast between the deeply cool badassery of songs like "Precious" and "Tattooed Love Boys" and the unexpected softness and vulnerability of "Kid" and "Lovers of Today." Wow. The arrangements are crisp and tight and the guitar work is top notch. It feels so fresh, even today. Hynde is mesmerizing as the lead, with flawless vocals and lyrics that run the gambit from dreamy to empowering to occasionally disturbing. You could write a whole dissertation on the sexual politics of these songs. Nothing but love for this album, front to back. Favorite songs: Kid, Brass in Pocket, Tattooed Love Boys, Mystery Achievement

👍
View Author
Wed Sep 01 2021
5

I really dig this. Lots of musical influences, can really hear the punk in there. Her voice is fantastic too.

👍
View Author
Sat Nov 27 2021
5

Loved the way the songs sound. So distinct but sounds so effortless.

👍
View Author
Thu Jan 06 2022
5

Always wanted to like the Pretenders more - and definitely do now after listening to this album!

👍
View Author
Sun Sep 25 2022
5

Argh! I've just rediscovered this after 40 years. I bought this from the record stall at Wembley market but wasn't overly into it so consigned it to the back of the collection. Listening to it now I realise how wrong I was. Brass in Pocket is the big hit but my favourites now are: Kid, Stop your sobbing and Private Life (written by Chrissie and covered by Grace Jones). Can't stop playing it now.

👍
View Author
Wed Oct 05 2022
5

One of the great debuts of all time. Chrissie Hyndesexy swagger is captivating but it's not only that the music is mature and confident in a way debuts just aren't supposed to be. They seemlessly move from Punk to new wave to ballads with the skill of a veteran group. Their rendition of The Kinks Stop Your Sobbing is simply perfect. This truly is an album everyone needs to hear. 5 stars

👍
View Author
Mon Oct 10 2022
5

This was great! Only heard one of these song before but I loved every song on this album. A really great mix of British and American rock. Favourite: The Wait

👍
View Author
Fri Oct 14 2022
5

I do like the sound of the Pretenders and the album totally rocked for me!

👍
View Author
Mon Dec 19 2022
5

Wow, what a great album. The whole thing is a banger.

👍
View Author
Sat Mar 13 2021
4

Me gustaron sobre todo las canciones enérgicas, las más tranquilas como que me aburrieron, aunque la instrumental "Space Invader" fue muy divertida. Me gusta este sonido rockero ya en otro tono y la voz me gustó. Sobre todo fue bueno conocer mejor a los Pretenders, a quienes ubicaba creo más de oídas. Mis canciones destacadas: "Precious", "Up the Neck" y "The Wait". 7.5/10

👍
View Author
Mon Jul 12 2021
2

09/07/2021 - 15/08/2021 Album di debutto di una band che non conoscevo prima e che appartiene a un movimento del quale so poco o nulla (principalmente per mancanza di interesse e di stimoli ad averne). Mi sento impossibilitato a capirne la vera bontà e a individuarne le possibili influenze in altri lavori proprio per questi motivi; dirò la mia dal basso del mio bagaglio culturale musicale generale sperando di poter pensare la stessa cosa quando saprò di più - se mai ne saprò - dei Pretenders e del rock "classico" anni '70/'80. Come record di debutto è inquadrato, l'identità della band mi è chiara e sembra essere questa: riff da minimo sindacale che non mi incuriosiscono, testi un po' cringe che trattano, nella maggior parte dei casi, di storie d'amore / di vita prevedibili, emancipazione femminile e disinibizione sessuale (forse le poche cose avanguardistiche in questo LP guardandolo con occhi del 2021). A livello musicale nulla è eseguito male e allo stesso tempo nulla è straordinario o minimamente sperimentale: l'esempio più chiaro di quanto affermato è la precisa ma piatta "Space Invader". Vocalità generosa e appassionata quando opportuno, vedi "Private Life". A livello di missaggio l'unica cosa strana che noto è il livello della voce in "Precious", ma per il resto - almeno per le mie orecchie ancora profane in questo campo - la performance vocale, che trasuda leadership e coglioni (o meglio, clitoridi) quadrati, della Hynde mi sembra valorizzata e il resto ben bilanciato e adatto alla natura poco intraprendente del disco. Riascoltando il disco - cosa che non penso farò - skipperei tutto meno che "Precious" - che mi aveva fatto così ben sperare, "Lovers of Today" - dalle melodie interessanti - e "Mistery Achievement" - un po' ska - evitando come la peste la tediosa ed infinita "Private Life" (6:30 per parlare di un amante che non ti interessa né soddisfa sono davvero troppi per non essere davvero interessata o soddisfatta a/da lui, Chrissie), continuando nel frattempo a chiedermi perché "Stop Your Sobbing", "Kid" o "Brass in Pocket", potrebbero essere volontariamente ascoltati da gente nata dopo il 1980, vista la puzza di vecchio che emanano dopo 41 anni dalla loro uscita. Riesco a capire perché questo album piaceva all'ascoltatore medio e disinteressato dei tempi, perché potrebbe essere sfruttato anche da chi li ha vissuti in maniera più musicalmente impegnata come macchina del tempo con destinazione primi amori e primi "vaffanculo al mondo", e anche perché io mi sia annoiato così tanto e sorpreso così poco nell'ascoltarlo: non è una questione di età anagrafica mia o di questo LP, dato che tra i miei album preferiti c'è - al momento - roba di quei tempi (appartenente tuttavia a filoni musicali che presentano prodotti generalmente meno prevedibili e semplici da ricondurre ai soliti cliché rispetto a questo album), è questione di gusti e di approccio alla musica. Io, personalmente, non trovo soddisfazione nell'ascoltare qualcosa di così puntualmente scontato, vecchio e lontano dal mio vissuto e lontano dall'anticipare quelli che sono i tempi che vivo (come invece fa un "Kid A" a caso, per intenderci). In conclusione, il disco non è pessimo a livello tecnico, ma non mi trasmette nulla né riesco a vederne l'influenza in altre cose che ho ascoltato, siano esse vicine o lontane ai/dai tempi in cui è stato rilasciato.

👍
View Author
Fri Apr 01 2022
2

talk-singing. universal mullet music.

👍
View Author
Wed Jan 13 2021
5

Best debut album. Somewhere between punk, rock and pop. Tattooed love boys has an iconic guitar hero solo

👍
View Author
Wed Jan 13 2021
5

I love guitar hero 2 Tattoo love bois, stop sobbing, and brass pocket are some faves. Never listened to the full album but have heard many of these songs, not a single bad track.

👍
View Author
Fri Mar 05 2021
5

Had quite a rock feel to the beginning but don’t get me wrong and brass in pocket had me singing at the top of my lungs

👍
View Author
Tue Jan 19 2021
5

Really good album. Lots of songs I enjoyed. Reminds me of Elvis Costello or Joe Jackson. I listened to it 3 times.

👍
View Author
Sun Apr 04 2021
5

Another new wave classic. The whole album flows together so well.

👍
View Author
Thu Feb 04 2021
5

I dig! More than Brass in my Pocket

👍
View Author
Mon Oct 11 2021
5

I've loved this album since it was released.

👍
View Author
Tue Jan 11 2022
5

Love this sound! Precious is tight, great jagged guitar tones! This is everything I love about punk in the 80s. Personality. Great songs. A real great ear for how to orchestrate something as simple as 2 guitars, drums, bass, and vocals. Brass In Pocket is a great tune. I had so much fun listening to this album!

👍
View Author
Sat Jan 15 2022
5

I am pumped, I adore the Pretenders! This is a magnificent debut album. At the intersection of 70's punk and pop rock is where the Pretenders meet to floor everyone with their we-don't-give-a-fuck lyrics melded into peppy instrumentation. They don't juxtapose lyrics and music as intensely as The Smiths do, but they're in that same vein. A precursor for sure. There's that subtle hit of something melancholy or maudlin wrapped in a wistful package and I love it. Chrissie Hynde's voice is magnetic and alluring. She's got that quality that expresses so much toughness and badassery but also softness and vulnerability. She's incredible, I could listen to her on loop for days and never get bored. Big fan!

👍
View Author
Wed Jan 26 2022
5

Tremendous album. If you only know The Pretenders material from the late-80s and after...this is not that band, almost literally. This album always felt like one of those rare crossover albums back in the 80s that appealed to punks, new wavers, and rockers alike. The pure energy from the angular attack of the band combined with the sneer of Chrissy Hynde's vocals is almost sad to hear in a way, knowing the musical (guitar/bass) half of the band would be dead due to drugs within ~2 years, but almost adds to its urgency. I've had this discussion with friends before on the best debuts by an act in history - not only in terms of an album but a song and "Precious" made everyone's short list - what a kick-ass song filled with attack, swagger, and musicality. With so many good cuts, it's hard to pick one personal favourite but for me you can't beat "Tattooed Love Boys" with that galloping rhythm trading off 7/8 and 4/4 measures in the verses. Punk? raw hard rock? Again who knows, who cares, it's awesome and those breakdowns are just weird in a great way. And all in 3 minutes. Not many downturns on this album* - the instrumental "Space Invader" serves as kind of a breather after Tattooed Love Boys. I will say that the first half is definitely the stronger one as some of the slower songs do bring the energy down a bit (the Kinks cover of "Stop Your Sobbing" is a misstep; it's not *bad* but doesn't fit well) but in general they do provide a nice ebb and flow - "Brass In Pocket" may be a middle of the road tune but it's an undeniably excellent and deserving hit song. Overall I just love the raw yet interesting production on this. Guitars sound fantastic, the double-tracked vocals often differ just enough to create some interesting tones at times especially in the heavier songs. Production combined with great songs... this is a keeper and one of the great debut albums ever. 9/10 5 stars. *only referring to the original release: 12 songs ending with Mystery Achievement.

👍
View Author
Mon Feb 07 2022
5

Wer Brass In Pocket Freitag zum ersten Mal gehört hat muss dringend Lost In Translation anschauen. Wunderbar upbeat ohne einen wirklich schlechten song. Vielleicht keine 5 Sterne verdient, aber eins von meinen Lieblingsalben. Beste Tracks: Precious, Stop Your Sobbing, Mystery Achievement, Brass In Pocket

👍
View Author
Tue Feb 08 2022
5

Guay. La voz de esta mujer es ... Y como tiene la canción Kid, y "is the debut studio album" le voy a dar un 5.

👍
View Author
Sat Feb 26 2022
5

Brass in Pocket was a good hit with lyrics that weren't serious but Chrissie shows that she is good at dealing with tricky topics. Kid is a conversation a mother has with her child when the child finds out her mother is a prostitute. It's a solid album top to bottom. Quite the debut. The two songs that start w a P are fab. Private Life is great instrumentally. Precious is the song I most identify with Chrissie Hynde. Full of confidence, edge, spunk and don't fuck with me attitude.  I'm precious . . .  fuck off! 

👍
View Author
Wed May 18 2022
5

It's hard to believe this is a debut album. The songs are edgy, confidently combining different styles into an original sound, oozing attitude. For reasons I can't articulate Brass in Pocket has always been one of my all time faves. I can't get enough of Chrissie Hynde. It was good to have her in the world while I was growing up and figuring out who I wanted to be.

👍
View Author
Sun Jul 03 2022
5

The best record of Pretenders, when they were still making new wave music.. ..some catchy singles but especially with lots of strong album tracks, like the first triple of songs..

👍
View Author
Wed Aug 31 2022
5

probably 4.25 but fuck it, chrissie deserves the extra star for being so cool

👍
View Author
Wed Sep 07 2022
5

Loved this one. Chrissie Hynde is pretty much all you need to know but the band stays with her every step of the way. Top rating here.

👍
View Author
Fri Oct 14 2022
5

I’ve always liked the Pretenders but can’t recall ever listening to any of their albums. I really enjoyed this album. I didn’t realize what song Brass In Pocket was until it started. Not sure how I never knew that was the name of the song which was a surprise since I really love that song! The rest of the album had a lot of great tracks. Other favorites include Previous, Space Invader (yay for the video game samples!), The Wait, Kid, and Mystery Achievement. I really loved the album as a whole. Great stuff!

👍
View Author
Mon Oct 17 2022
5

Before this album was released, I didn't listen to any female-fronted bands. On my first listen of the Pretenders debut album, something clicked instantly, it was amazing, like nothing I had been exposed to up to this point. Chrissie Hynde's snarl in her voice, the guitar interplay between Hynde and James Honeyman-Scott and the well crafted songs, their sound was both catchy and energetic. It wasn't exactly punk, nor was it new wave, it was rock that combined some of those elements for modern rock sound with a punk attitude. I consider this one of a handful of albums that helped shape and define my musical tastes. In my opinion, the Pretenders didn't release another record this great, though Learning To Crawl was close, but the band was never the same after the deaths of Honeyman-Scott and bassist, Pete Farndon. The Pretenders became more of a Chrissie Hynde driven "project" and to this day has continued to release some pretty fine music.

👍
View Author
Thu Oct 27 2022
5

This album was one of those that I thought I was going to be on this list. Happy to see that I’m not disappointed. Interesting to hear that Johnny Marr considered this to be key to his playing style. And Tattooed Love Boys is one of my favourite Rock Band jams.

👍
View Author
Sat Nov 05 2022
5

Classic case of knowing the singles but never heard the album. By God, this is good. Feels underrated if anything. It's almost embarrassingly obvious to choose Brass in Pocket as best song, but what a song!

👍
View Author
Wed Dec 21 2022
5

This sounds way ahead of its time. Late 70s, really? Impressive.

👍
View Author
Tue Jan 24 2023
5

I really like this album. It's fun, had a bit of a hard edge, and was pretty original at the time. It also has a few timeless songs on it so doesn't feel like it's aged poorly. I never really get tired of "Brass in Pocket" for some reason.

👍
View Author
Sun Jan 29 2023
5

Another band that I didn't know I liked. Add this one to the list! So many good songs on this album. All killer, no filler. As they say. I think Tattooed Love Boys might be my fave, but Brass In Pocket and Precious stood out too. I need to give this a few more listens, and I'll be happy to do so. 4.5/5

👍
View Author
Sun Jan 29 2023
5

Very into this. Was not expecting so much punk feel. Then it slows down a little. Then there it is. I'm special. So special

👍
View Author
Mon Feb 13 2023
5

Essential Pretenders & top tier post punk. Chrissie Hynde is in a class of her own with that snarky sultry rock voice. Great band & great album.

👍
View Author
Fri Mar 24 2023
5

Love The Pretenders, great album

👍
View Author
Fri Apr 14 2023
5

Can’t get enough of this album. It has everything: attitude, energy, passion, ear worms, creativity… Great group of songs, but my favorites are Tattooed Love Boys, The Phone Call, Stop Your Sobbing, and Kid. Great album!

👍
View Author
Tue Apr 25 2023
5

One of THE classic of the new wave era, The Pretenders eponymous debut is nothing but spectacular. Songs like Brass in Pocket and Precious played well at college parties while the rest of the album is just one great song after another. What makes this album so great is Crissie Hynde. Her deep alto perfectlt fits the band's big basket of punk attitude. Unlike other new wave/punk bands of the era, that attitude is tempered with an underlying sensuality that even Blondie (the original new wave sex kitten) couldn't muster. This is a true gem. Listen to it on vinyl to get the same visceral feel that late 70s' punk rockers did.

👍
View Author
Sun Jun 04 2023
5

Christ what a debut. Chrissie Hynde is criminally underrated. She's the type of rock star who won't receive her just recognition until we lose her. She IS The Pretenders, although one wonders if that would still be the case had two members of the band not have died so young after their first two albums. No skips here. Forty-seven minutes of solid bangers. Interesting how the most known song (Brass In Pocket) is buried in the middle of side two. No matter. This album's special (Spesh All).

👍
View Author
Wed Dec 23 2020
4

The Pretenders are boldly 80s and it shows!

👍
View Author
Tue Jan 19 2021
4

I get the feeling that albums are more important if you have context. Brass in Pocket has been a staple of radio since I was a kid so I never paid attention to it but it was apparently the most popular song on the album. The album was ok but It doesn't really set my soul on fire.

👍
View Author
Wed Mar 24 2021
4

ожидал большего от Space Invader

👍
View Author
Mon Jan 18 2021
4

Good mix of early 80s punk, new wave and pop.

👍
View Author
Tue Jan 19 2021
4

Solid new wave punk sound of course.. Brass in pocket another one of those tracks that Ive heard many of times during Guitar Hero or Rockband

👍
View Author
Mon Jan 25 2021
4

Such a unique group for the time period. I need to listen to them more.

👍
View Author
Sat May 01 2021
4

I liked it, Truman didn't listen.

👍
View Author
Wed Jan 20 2021
4

It was pretty good, It was not really my cup of tea but it did have some good jams I bopped to.

👍
View Author
Mon Mar 01 2021
4

Love, love, love this album! I can’t get enough of Chrissie Hynde’s voice!

👍
View Author
Mon Mar 15 2021
4

Achei bem divertido, tudo bem sincopado

👍
View Author
Fri Apr 02 2021
4

Pretty awesome album. Punk rock done right, and great singer.

👍
View Author
Thu Jan 14 2021
4

Sounds like it looks. V 80’s. I enjoyed it thoroughly, even before bed. Brass in Pocket and Space Invader were my two favs.

👍
View Author
Thu Jan 14 2021
4

Like : Up the Neck Tattooed Love - didn’t love - a little too punk? There’s a jam song in the mix here early that was pretty fun - tight drums and bass (Space Invaders) Stop Sobbing : reminds me of like a 50s or 60s song that’s been revamped for the 80s Private Life : baseline vibes - reggae influence of the 80s reminds me of the polices song, walking on the moon - in contention for favorite song - ‘you’ve been lying to someone about me, stop’ back up vocals are cool Brass in Pocket : haha this is probably why my parents had this album - my Mom loved this song - reminds me of her cleaning the house on a Saturday - vacuuming and folding clothes and dancing - this is probably the best song commercially and might end up being my favorite just for posterity sake Lovers of Today - probably my least favorite one so far... Overall I enjoyed it - reminded me of my parents - talked to my dad about it later and he said the lead singer was ahead of her time. 7.8/10

👍
View Author
Mon Jan 25 2021
4

Super original album/sound. I'm also a sucker for chicks that wail.

👍
View Author
Fri Jan 15 2021
4

This is a really great rock record. I had no idea they were formed in England since Chrissie Hynde is from Ohio. Brass in Pocket is the hit of this record but not representative of the rest.

👍
View Author
Sun Apr 04 2021
4

I only knew the singles, but this whole record is amazing.

👍
View Author
Sat Mar 13 2021
4

Bastante entretenido, aunque nada super destacable supongo. La voz de la vocalista es lo que resalta más en el disco y los ocasionales riffs como en Private Life están agradables. Canciones que más disfruté: The Wait y Private Life. Mood: Verano ochentero

👍
View Author
Wed Jun 09 2021
4

7. this was fun and i really liked the sound, but the back end got really slow with 3 5+ minute songs.

👍
View Author
Mon Apr 26 2021
4

enjoyed this more or less. ngl brass in pocket is a bop. makes me inappropriately attracted to chrissie hynde. new wave with some teeth.

👍
View Author
Mon Apr 12 2021
4

Okay, I actually like the Pretenders, but the hype around them irritated me at the time. Back in the rock era, any time some back to basics band came around, they were hailed by the rock press as the saviors of rock 'n roll, and the Pretenders were no different. The Pretenders are a rock 'n roll band at heart, at least in their attitude, but there was more to them from the start. On their debut album, the treated guitars of James Honeyman-Scott were swathed in reverb and flange, a nod to new wave. They had songs like "Brass In Pocket" or "Mystery Achievement," which made them chart accessible. But they also had a real edge in songs like "The Phone Call" and "The Wait," which had tricky rhythmic figures unusual in this kind of music. And on top of all that, you had the bad girl swagger of Chrissie Hynde cut with an emotional vulnerability that was probably closer to the truth. I've never listened to this album all the way through, but the sustained invention, energy, and performances are impressive. The Pretenders are actually a much more powerful band than their hits would lead you to believe. Another thing I just noticed is how beautifully produced and sequenced this album is. The album flows like a dream, especially the first side. The second side is much more poppy, not nearly as much my thing.

👍
View Author
Tue Feb 16 2021
4

Forgot how much I enjoyed listening to them :)

👍
View Author
Wed May 26 2021
4

Love this album - I only recently rediscovered The Pretenders this past year and was surprised at how tight the rhythms and riffs are in this album. Plus what a lead in Chrissie Hynde!

👍
View Author
Mon Jul 05 2021
4

Straight away decent. Old school punk, liking it immediately. Feels familiar, maybe Tony Hawks or Earthed. Classic punk style, in that there are similar sounds to Black Flag, but also feel like bands like this inspired QOTSA. Yeh just realised the track 'The Wait' is off Earthed. 4/5

👍
View Author
Wed Apr 14 2021
4

Not what I expected at all but I loved it. Can even see influences on bands like No Doubt, Kings of Leon but then they throw a curve ball like Your Sobbing or Brass in Pocket. A strange mix of pop and punk but one I thoroughly enjoyed.

👍
View Author
Wed May 26 2021
4

We love a woman-fronted rock band! Some bangers here, there’s a song for every mood & felt like I was in a movie while listening to this! Only reason it’s not getting 5 from me is it drags a bit towards the end (saved by Mystery Achievement) and I don’t think it will leave a lasting impression.

👍
View Author
Tue Jun 01 2021
4

An album that sounds to me to be ahead of it’s time. Defining the meaning of progressive.I had just started listening to music when this album came out and apart from the very obviously commercial single releases on the album, it was probably too progressive for me at the time. Proving at least that youth is indeed wasted on the young.

👍
View Author
Sat May 22 2021
4

Never really paid Pretenders any mind, other than what one would hear on the radio. In all honesty, I put this album on with the expectation of having some decent background music while I worked. But, I was pleasantly surprised. For a record as old as I am, it really holds up well. None of the dated studio tricks of the day, just good ol' rock. Starts off with Precious, which immediately reminded me of the Talking Heads with a post-punk/pop rock vibe and cheeky lyrics. The rest of the album follows suite, with Hynde's vocals up front and rightfully the star of the show. I do really like her vocals. way more than I expected to, to be frank. so, yeah. Pretenders. I kinda like them.

👍
Load more reviews