Pretenders

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.

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.

talk-singing. universal mullet music.

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.

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

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.

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

Chrissie Hynde is a major rock talent who had a surprisingly hard time breaking into the industry. She clearly had the brains, drive, ambition, talent and charisma who seemed to be constantly shut out of opportunities. She made sure she was in the right spot with the right people (she has an incredible eye for talent), but it just didn't come together for five years before The Pretenders finally came together. I suspect a lot of the reason is that she was a woman. Woman have often been excluded from rock music based purely on prejudice. This 1001 albums list has a massive over-representation of straight white males, and woman are probably the most obviously under-represented cohort on the list. This is both a result of the long-standing sexism of the rock industry, but also a symptom of the fact that that sexism has seeped into the cultural fabric of rock history. I am always glad when a female artist turns up on the list, because they have to work twice as hard for half the credit. And Chrissie Hynde deserves every accolade. The subsequent history of The Pretenders has become the Chrissie Hynde Show and often veers a bit closer to the mainstream than fits my personal taste, but I really love this first record. The Pretenders are playing like a real band (James Honeyman-Scott is a particular standout - his lead playing is really great), but it is Chrissie's voice (both literal and in the songwriting sense) that gives this record all of its soul and character. This is loud, fast, hungry rock and roll with a slight punk edge (without being behoven to generic restrictions). The songs are outstanding, and the whole thing is played with an exciting verve. Tight, but with a dangerous edge. This record knows what it wants to do and lands it perfectly. Favourite song: Precious. There weren't many prior examples of female front-people doing this before 1980, and Chrissie Hynde absolutely nails the brief. We need more female artist on this 1001 albums list. Also, today I learned that Chrissie Hynde co-wrote 'Smelly Cat' for the Friends TV show. 4.5 stars, rounding up.

I've always found Hynde's vocal style quite irritating, and their debut doesn't have much in the way of tunes to redeem this, many tracks seemingly an exercise in attitude over content. Best song on here is by The Kinks, one my kids know all too well. They got better, but this is not great.

flawless

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

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

This is badass.

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

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

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

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

It's wild how music can transport you back to one day in your life from 34 years ago. First time I heard this I was in the back of a car riding to a Renaissance faire. I was really blown away by how good it was. Everything that day was perfect. Good friends, good weather, good food and drink. Good memories of that day. The first two Pretenders albums are untouchable. I'd take Chrissie Hynde to front any band I was in.

Unexpected. Met me where I was at. Absolutely loved it.

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

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

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

"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!

I don’t really get this one. It’s got some good elements but there’s no real hooks, the singer is just kind of whatever, and none of the songs stick out much. Feels like it’s halfway between punk and new wave in a bad way, not really achieving the strengths of either genre.

2.5 The Pretenders are a band I've always wanted to like, but for some reason I just can't quite get to click with me. This album feels like something I would love... I adore Chrissie Hynde's voice, and the music I would best describe as a manifestation of the punk to new wave transition. Hell, Johnny Marr would even later credit the guitar work on the album as his biggest inspiration for The Smiths (one of my all-time faves!). Yet despite all of that, it just feels like they neglect to do anything overly-interesting with the tools they have at their disposal. I'll admit this album kicks off pretty strongly with tracks like Precious and Up the Neck, but starting around Space Invader, slowly but surely, I feel like the album becomes less and less musically interesting, to the point where I was kind of over it at Private Life. Overall, a net okay album - Tattooed Love Boys is a jam though and by far the best song on the album. Favorite songs: Tattooed Love Boys, Precious, Up the Neck

Wow, this was a dead center album for me.

Such a classic album

This album was surprisingly great. I like their unique sound, which brings so much to each track on the album. Real great stuff.

This album makes me light headed with joy. Give me Chrissie Hynde and Debbie Harry and you can keep the rest.

It's alright. Non offensive and okay as background music.

So I liked all the pieces individually but not necessarily all together. I liked the lyrics, I liked her voice and I liked the instruments. But (for me) together they just didn't mix always, making songs seem long and drawn out (Private Life felt like it wouldn't end). I liked The Phone Call and Up the Neck. I also really liked the lyrics in Tattooed Love Boys and the music of Space Invader. I wouldn't give up on the band but maybe this album.

Highly, highly enjoyable. The music is pitched – temporally, stylistically – between Television and Sonic Youth. Chrissie Hynde stands alone. A fantastic record (tragic about half the band, though!).

I don't know. some of the songs were interesting, but it's still just a generic post punk band with a woman in the lead. Is there as many disco albums as post-punk in this list? somehow I doubt it...

Pretenders is a great name for this album because i had to pretent to enjoy it. Its bad, its a wet fart personafied. Its flat and it feels like it has the littles crumb of progression and growth. In an era of giants it really falls flat

I first heard about the Pretenders when I was a teenager, working at Trader Joe's. One of the fulltimers there said that they were the most underrated band of all time. So I checked them out. Goodstuff. I loved them, named my gorgeous tobacco sunset electric bass Chrissie. Fast forward to 2009, I saw them peform at what was then the Electric Factory in Philadelphia. Chrissie Hynde halted a song midway through to yell at the crowd for taking flash photography. What a bitch.

This is a personal favorite, but that does not impact the rating - a true 5. The album is a top notch rock and roll album tucked into the height of New Wave. Chrissie Hynde is a legend, and well under appreciated. Luckily say them I've at Rutgers when then performed in the gymnasium to about 800 students! Bouy 0 did I have a crush! I remember me and ny friend Raul back in April, 1980, trying to sneak into the Filmore East in NYC to see the show (could not afford the tix). Almost got rolled in the alley. Good times!)

The Pretenders – Pretenders (1979) On Day 120, I hit a major milestone with an album that surprisingly blew me away. Everything about this debut came together perfectly: the melody, the groove, and especially Chrissie Hynde's performance. It is a perfect introduction that feels both polished and warm. The tracklist is stacked with highlights. I’m currently obsessed with "Kid," but "Precious," "Tattooed Love Boys," and "The Wait" all delivered that decent energy I appreciated. Even the slick pop-sensibility of "Stop Your Sobbing" and "Brass in Pocket" felt immaculate and heavenly. I’m genuinely amused by how much I enjoyed this, it’s an outstanding body of work except "Private Life" but not enough for me to not give it a strong 5/5.

Precious is one of my favorite songs. I saw Chrissie Hynde in concert. There were some extremely obnoxious people behind us that yapped loudly over the whole show, as they weren't actually interested in the concert. But in between every song they would screech "BRASS IN POCKET!!!! BRASS IN POCKET!!!!" Because clearly that was the only Pretenders song they knew, and the only thing they came to hear. Well guess what. They never played Brass In Pocket. For the encore they played the song I wanted to hear, because I'm precious. Fuck Off.

Really dug this! I think I knew "Tattooed Love Boys" before this, and the rest of it sounded vaguely familiar? "Precious" "The Wait" and "Stop Your Sobbing" were other standouts for me

That’s how you debut!

Chrissie Hynde is a badass and this album proves that in incredible fashion. The least good song is probably Brass In Pocket and it’s arguably their biggest hit.

Bad ass vocals bad ass woman bad ass vibes

Great album.

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”.

This is a bridging gap between punk and new wave. The band cut their teeth in the punk scene, but you can hear them gearing up for the mainstream here. The album is very varied and features a mix of styles. The Kinks cover 'Stop Your Sobbing' and hit single 'Kid' feel like old school rock and roll throwbacks, whilst the jangle pop 'Tattooed Love Boys' feels like it is ahead of its time with a riff that sounds like something the Smiths would cook up. Its not all a roaring success - instrumental 'Space Invader' does an excellent job of aging this record to a certain time and could have been left off. Chrissie Hyde is an excellent front person and has tons of swagger and attitude. She channels Lou Reed with her cool and cocky demeanor. If you only know this band for 'Brass In Pocket' and never checked them out further than that, you're seriously missing out.

you can definitely tell this is a debut album from a 70's rock band, but it's got enough going for it that i can look past its faults. kinda sounds like what they'd listen to on Lego Island 8/10 FAVOURITE SONGS: PRECIOUS, TATTOOED LOVE BOYS, KID, PRIVATE LIFE, BRASS IN POCKET LEAST FAVOURITE SONGS: THE PHONE CALL

The Pretenders rule and Chrissie Hynde is one of a kind.

I’ve heard this before. Even after listening to this album a number of times I always just associate this band with Brass In Pocket, since that’s the only song from this that ever got played on the radio and it got played a lot. And their other radio hits really tone down the new wave/ punk sensibilities. So it’s always a pleasant surprise to hear a real good new wave band when this plays. Tattooed Love Boys is a favorite of mine from this album as well as a few cover versions. And yes, Brass In Pocket is a good song regardless of all the radio play.

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

Bought this on vinyl when released so must have liked the album back then. But don’t think I’ve played it in years. So stands as a testimony as to how my musical tastes have changed. But this is different as there are many albums of that era which I do play regularly so this hasn’t really stood the test of time. Glad I have the album though as it contains most of The Pretenders greatest hits and on hearing Private Lives again reminded me why I bought the album in the first place. That is the standout track and without this list would probably have never given it a spin again. So thanks for that. 3/5 28/4/26

I like the Pretenders as a singles band a lot, but their albums tend to get boring for me.

Always loved Brass in Pocket, and a few others on this album are OK too. Might listen again

The UK's response to Parallel Lines. Blondie's pop rock-infused approach to new wave was a huge hit, marked with an insatiably cool look and Deborah Harry leading the charge. The Pretenders had much of the same appeal, though leaning into punk rock a bit more than Blondie did. Every song is punctuated by Chrissie Hynde's signature too-cool vocal delivery. The rest of the band jolts songs with the smoothed-out electric rock sound that would go on to define the '80s. Pretenders are mostly fine. Things start to drag out by side B with Brass in Pocket being the only highlight. I think a lot of the appeal of Pretenders is in their cool-factor, but a lot of that gets lost in their slower, more boring songs.

Not a big fan Hynde singing style, the album itself is surprisingly weak and kind of boring, commercially approved punk. Except for Tattooed Love Boys and The Phone Call

Don’t think I’ll be listening again though I’m sure I’ll hear Brass Pocket out in the world. Private Life is really not a very good song to put it lightly. A one drop? And what on god’s earth was that guitar solo doing there? Why are you shredding right now? So very Rigs of Dad. And what in the what are those lyrics? Was the producer on his lunch break? Offended me enough to bring the whole thing down.

This album started strong but by mid-way through the songs lost their luster and listening felt like a chore. Not terrible but certainly not enjoyable. 2/5

Super average. Two good tracks.

The whole album is kind of lo-fi. It doesn't have a huge amount of bite to it in general. Is it just mixed a bit weird? Everything seems so far back and just a bit bleh. It's not grabbing me at all, sorry. You do get a sense of Chrissie Hynde as a personality, and she seems to have a bit of attitude which comes across. Brass in Pocket is about the only stand-out track. 'Stop Your Sobbing' was done way better by the Kinks. I'm not going to fall-out of love with the Pretenders as a result of this, as 2000 Miles remains my favourite Christmas song and I'll be singing along to that with gusto come December (probably November).

Album doesn't really know what it want to be so it just pretends

They're fine, I guess.

Yeah I don't mind the pretenders, I seem to think they start to sound a bit samey though. 2.5 for me

I've heard of the Pretenders many times before, but it's only now I've just realised I had them mixed up with the Proclaimers in my head and (rightfully, if that were the case) never gave them the time of day. First track was therefore a bit of a pleasant surprise. First couple of songs in general had me interested, but then it tailed off a bit in the middle. Album wobbled it's way to the end, with a few decent tracks. Reading up on it afterwards I see it's lauded as one of the greatest debuts of all time, and indeed some give it a nod as one of the greatest ever albums. Had to be there I guess. 2.5*.

Rubbish (probably)

Some early 80s rock with punk influences. Sadly, the songs aren't quite there and Chrissie Hynde's style of singing is a bit tedious for my taste. 2/5

Some good moments and interesting instrumentation throughout. Really enjoyed the instrumental song but some of the poppier songs weakened the record vs the heavier stuff. Feel like other records from the same era hold up better

It alright... "I'm very superficial I hate anything official" is a terrible lyric. Nothing really grabbed me.

A lot of filler. Karen O, owes Hyde a career like.

I was surprised to find that, "Brass in Pocket" aside, this album didn't do much for me. Maybe I'll enjoy their later stuff more.

I put this in the same camp as Elvis Costello. Too clever clever to be good punk, too traditional and songwriterly to do anything interesting save for play with some studio effects. It's not bad but it's deeply unexciting. Chrissie Hynde has a nice voice.

its fine but like why is this one here. 1001 albums is a bit too much i fear. maybe like 100 guys?

2 stars, not super compelling - a few songs that are decent and recognizable, but a really weak album.

huey lewis meets joan jett. punk for a moment and coporate nonsense the next. can be music with pizzaz, but also frizzled muzak. pretenders! pretend!

Appreciate the energy, but.. whose idea was it to write whole songs entirely out of ad-libs?

As I have fond memories of Brass in Pocket and Stop your sobbing I was looking forward to listening to this. However it was disappointing. The tracks that were released as singles (Stop Your Sobbing, Kid, and Brass in Pocket) are the only tracks of any note. The rest ranges from average to downright poor and monotonous.

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.

Waste of time, some kiddo starting with the electronic music in garage band

it was pretty mid i didn’t like the genre that much. her voice is really good tho stand outs: stop your sobbing, brass your pocket 3/10

Very impressive to write a bunch of 30 second songs and just repeat them for a long time

Did not like her voice

Didn’t like it that much

Rubbish and too weird.

Still awful 40 years later

only someone who munched on asbestos in nursery would think this was good. left guy looks like my dad in the 80s

Sick Awesome

7/10

woah,,, awesomes

I've always thought the Pretenders were good but hadn't listened to an album of theirs before. I was impressed. Some punk-like sensibilities with actual musical talent, catchy songs, unexpected rhythmic changes and Chrissie Hynde has a cool rock voice. The album didn't have any skips and maintained interest through the end. Listened to it a couple of times. 4.5 rounded up.

Jesus is that a good album

This band is ... fun. The guitars are phenomenal. I had no idea they were a British group, and that Hynde lived in London. I had always associated The Pretenders with Northeast Ohio, but the origins of this and are pretty fascinating.

*****

Perfect

Lowkey razor-sharp.

This is such a good album, really strong songs in the main and some surprising tracks which I liked more than the big chart hits like up the neck, great riff.

Love this album!

What a debut! One of the great rock voices front of the mix from track 1. Able to communicate so many emotions- love, lust, anger, loneliness, desperation. Often all in one song. Side 1 is a lot of fun but side 2 is almost flawless. Lovers of Today may be their best ever track? Only downside was Space Invader?

Ousado! O álbum que eu disse "graças a Deus" por ter uma vocalista mulher, estava sedenta por uma banda nessa formação! The Pretenders, disco de estreia da banda entrou na lista de debuts que deram MUITO certo, pois acertou em cheio em questão de atitude, composição, e mistura de gêneros que trás um Pop meio Punk meio New Wave que eu AMEI. Além da voz da vocalista Chrissie Hynde que UAU, que atitude!! Fiquei hipnotizada escutando as faixas e a composição dos instrumentos que, tinha casado tão bem com a voz e estilo da banda. Pesquisando vi que infelizmente, o guitarrista James Honeyman-Scott e o baixista Pete Farndon morreram de overdose com menos de um ano de diferença, e peguei pra escutar algumas faixas fora desse álbum e realmente da pra notar diferença desse para outros discos da banda. O álbum conseguiu o que nenhum outro tinha conseguido até agora, me fazer amar o álbum inteiro. Masss como é um "tradição" escolher as mais mais vou colocar aqui: "Stop Your Sobbing" (cover do The Kinks, onde a Chrissie teve um relacionamento e filho com o vocalista Ray Davies!!!) "Up the Neck", "Kid" (letra com storytelling emocionante) e "Brass in Pocket" (que ela não gostava!!!tipo que?), além das outras musicas que sinceramente? amei todas. Foi muito dificil escolher só algumas pois esse álbum inteiro tem uma trajetória interessantíssima e qualidade impecável para um álbum debut. The Pretenders, você ganhou meu coração.

Es algo que no solía escuchar pero aún así es algo que cada tanto me gusta

5: Precious, Up the Neck, The Wait, Private Life, Brass In Pocket, Private Life, Brass In Pocket, Lovers Of Today, Mystery Achievement 4. The Phone Call, Tattooed Love Boys, Stop Your Sobbing, Kid, 2. Space Invader Yep, 5 "brass in pocket" stars

Muy punk, primera vez que escucho ésta banda. Me encantó

This is why I'm doing this. I had never heard of the band or the album, but it was great throughout. Feels way ahead of it's time and not at all from 1979.