#152 The Pretenders, 'Pretenders' (1980)

Previously #155

Last time I remember being surprised at this record. I knew The Pretenders for their radio hits, and so to hear the record open with the Punk song, ‘Precious’ is a shock to the system (in the best possible way); “But not me, baby, I'm too precious/Fuck off!” That’s set the tone! Next track, ‘The Phone Call’ follows a similar vibe. Loud guitars and Chrissie Hynde’s commanding presence. She’s such a great frontwoman. They slow it down marginally on ‘Up The Neck’ but bring the pace up again on ‘Tattooed Love Boys,’ a song that’s New Wave meets Punk. “I shot my mouth off and you showed me what that hole was for.” There’s no stopping Hynde. Things change significantly on the track ‘Space Invaders,’ an instrumental song that’s been used in multiple movies and TV shows. ‘Stop Your Sobbing’ is the first poppy sounding song on the record, a cover of The Kinks song, an immediate standout and the first single off of the album, followed by ‘Kid,’ another single and departure from the punk sound of earlier in the record.

The highlight of the record comes in the form of ‘Brass In Pocket,’  the band’s breakthrough single and first #1 single. The Pretenders would go on to influence so many musicians, yet another band to break down barriers for women in music. Throughout the album I hear shades of No Doubt, a band surely influenced by them. I hear Shirley Manson in Chrissie Hynde too. In fact, Hynde inspired Manson to learn guitar. The album would reach the top spot of UK charts and go on to be certified Platinum in the US.

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