Song of the Day: 'Didn't Want to Be This Lonely' by the Pretenders

Another new song from the Pretenders' upcoming album, "Hate for Sale." This one is a little reminiscent of "Cuban Slide," which is to say pretty damn good. And how about this Lichtensteinesque video? 

Song of the Day: 'The Buzz' by the Pretenders

I'm on the fence about this: Is it better or worse to have a new product come out during a pandemic? One the one hand the world is ridiculously distracted. But on the other, what better time to feed the public's need for entertainment -- new movies, books, records -- than when we're all forced to stay home? With that in mind, I just stumbled upon two fantastic new songs from "Hate for Sale," Chrissie Hynde and Co.'s 11th studio album. The LP was supposed to come out on May 1 with a tour with Journey scheduled to begin on May 15. But with the live shows postponed, the album has been pushed back until July 17, which tells me they're not on board with my coronavirus theory! 

Info HERE.

Happy to see Martin Chambers is back in the band -- those two have the most tempestuous relationship since Sam and Diane -- and the other two blokes are apparently with whom she's been touring for many years since her most stable group of pretend Pretenders called it quits in the mid and late aughts. Although we're now going to have to wait until the summer to hear the whole thing, tell me "The Buzz" and the title track don't sound like they were recorded not far from East 55th and Euclid Avenue ... they're borderline precious.

P.S. 

Back when my friend Greg and I were making compilation albums of rarities by our favorite artists, I used to be on top of everything they put out. But I missed this little gem Chrissie recorded for a Paul McCartney tribute album, so figured I'd share it in case you had, too.

Song of the Day: 'Brass in Pocket' by Pretenders

If you haven't heard the demo version of this classic single, do yourself a favor and listen. It's an object lesson in turning a good song into a great one.

Who's special?

Song of the Day: 'I Go to Sleep' by Soulwax

I'm a huge fan of the Pretenders version -- this one's fun, too.

Song of the Day: 'Let's Get Lost' by the Pretenders (Featuring Neil Tennant)

Chrissie Hynde got fellow ex-music journalist Neil Tennant into the studio last month to add new vocals to one  "Let's Get Lost," which originally appeared on the Pretenders' new "Alone" album.

Song of the Day: 'Holy Commotion' by the Pretenders

Get "Alone" HERE.

Thrilling that Chrissie Hynde still delivers new music I can get into, even if she's really just a solo artist flip-flopping between monikers.

Happy Birthday to Chrissie Hynde!

The Pretenders legend turns 65 today, although she shows no signs of retiring.

'Reckless' Disregard

I'm the biggest Pretenders fan I know, yet Chrissie Hynde's just-released memoir, "Reckless," isn't all that high on my list. The myth of being a rock star is almost always more interesting than the reality, and the more I read about her life, the more convinced I am this is true. (You did a lot of drugs, you knew the Sex Pistols, blah blah blah.) Besides, I kind of prefer the enigma persona she's built up, so not sure I want that to go away. The music, however, remains in a class of its own -- and these photos being used to promote the book are to die for.

First Look: Chrissie Hynde's 'Reckless' Memoir

Wow, loving the cover of Chrissie Hynde's upcoming memoir, "Reckless: My Life as a Pretender." Billboard has some tidbits HERE.

Pre-order now HERE.

Talk of the Town

Via Page Six:

Chrissie Hynde will tell the story of her life, with all its ups and downs. Penguin Random House announced Tuesday that the Pretenders singer was working on “an incredibly frank” memoir that will come out September.

Love her, but I would not want to edit this one!

Song of the Day: 'Lust for Life' by Tom Jones and Chrissie Hynde

   Stumbled upon a cover of Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life" by Tom Jones and Chrissie Hynde. Apparently Jones put out an album of covers called "Reload" in 2002, but a duet with the leader of the Pretenders is about as random as it gets.

  

Happy Birthday, Darling (Thank You for the Schooling)

Before I forget -- like I did with, gasp, Belinda Carlisle -- just wanted to give a birthday shoutout to Chrissie Hynde, who turns the big 6-0 today. Although Debbie Harry holds the title of my "favorite" woman in music, truth be told Chrissie is really the ultimate rock 'n' roll chick. (Deb's an original, but she's pop all the way.) Although the Pretenders' albums have become more mellow with age -- bet she laughs about being "Middle of the Road" back when she got a kid and was 33, baby! -- "Pretenders" still ranks as the best debut of all time, and most bands would be lucky to have ever recorded something as good as "Pretenders II" or even "Learning to Crawl." So happy birthday, Chrissie. I shook your hand at the Celebrity Theater back in 1983, but we've never crossed paths since. Something tells me it's better that way. You're a bona fide rock legend, and I'd almost be afraid to meet you now anyway. But I have learned more than a bit from your who-gives-a-fuck-what-other-people-think attitude, even if I'm still not prepared to try it out on you!

Never trust a user with your television overnight.

Music Box: Chrissie Hynde & Kris Kringle

 

Given the fact that she's the least warm and fuzzy person alive, it's kind of funny that Chrissie Hynde has been involved several of the sweetest Christmas songs in modern times. "2000 Miles" set the standard for rock bands recording new holiday tunes, and the Pretenders' cover of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" for the "Very Special Christmas" album remains a classic. "Happy Christmas" -- the ex-Patriot way -- was the memorable European b-side to "2000 Miles," and she even recorded a holiday song with bitter ex Ray Davies last year. (Lest you think she's lost her edge, she never set foot in the same room with him -- natch!) Now Chrissie's back with JP and the Fairground Boys, with yet another one for the ages, called "Christmas Soon."

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The Bitch Is Back

I know I'm one of the last of the "album buyers," but I just picked up "Break Up the Concrete" -- the latest by Chrissie Hynde and her revolving door of Pretenders -- and I couldn't be more excited. (Well, I could be a little more if I hadn't shelled out another 10 bucks to also download it on iTunes for the three bonus tracks -- and yes, it is an illness). Having just read that the band is playing around the corner from my apartment TONIGHT, I'd probably be despondent right now if not for this (vintage) Chrissie quote in Friday's Times: "I don’t think the world really needs another Pretenders record. But frankly, I was getting embarrassed because we hadn’t made a record in so long. And we were doing a lot of touring, and I just can’t stomach doing those old songs anymore. It’s just torture." While I agree that a new album isn't really necessary -- heck, this growing up stuff is all new to me too, and I don't know the rules about this stuff; do we fans buy everything for life or do we bow out gracefully even if Deb, Cyndi and Madonna don't? -- but I will never get used to my idols copping an attitude about playing the songs that made them famous and put food on their tables for all of their adult lives. Sure, I "get" it. (But really I don't.) I'm guessing tonight's gig is more of a one-off showcase (apparently they were on "Letterman" last night and on the "Today" show today) and by the time they come back to town I will be more versed in the new tunes. (So far, so good. The new stuff has a rockabilly feel to it -- think "Thumbelina 2008.")

Nonetheless, Chrissie's 'tude was always half her charm, so check out the video for the album's first single (if there's even such a thing anymore), "Boots of Chinese Plastic," and you'll see that the tough chick from Akron has still got it ...



Previously:

The Great Pretender

Pretenders Deluxe

I Love Pretending

Chrissie Hynde: The Last of the Independents

Suburbanites and Scammers and Scalpers -- Oh, My!

Music Box: Pretenders

The Great Pretender

You'd be hard-pressed to find a bigger critic of the music industry than yours truly. While the major labels never seem to stop whining about their shrinking profits, a huge music fan like myself sees nothing but offensively overpriced concert tickets and compact discs that have yet to drop in price nearly 20 years later. Throw in the repeated format changes that have left me buying the same album three or four times (vinyl, cassette, CD and now the simultaneously dreaded and beloved remastered CD) and I'm this close to arguing that stealing music off the Internet is my god-given right. (Don't make me launch into my spiel about how it's the label making the money, not the artist.)

So here I was yesterday at Circuit City yesterday having my camera looked at by a technician when I couldn't help wandering into the CD section (a veritable wasteland since CDs are for "old folks," you know). Suddenly, there they were on the shelf: the Pretenders' third and fourth albums, expanded and remastered. True, I'd already shelled out 40 bucks when their classic eponymous debut and brilliant sophomore effort were given the royal treatment back in '06 (each of those were two-disc collections and the rare demos were worth the price). But after looking at the reissued "Learning to Crawl" and "Get Close," I quickly realized none of the bonus tracks were anything I didn't either already have or particularly want. As I attempted to put them back on the shelf -- reminding myself that I could probably count the number of times I'd listened to either of these albums in the past five years on one hand and the CDs I have of them are in more than OK condition -- I realized it wasn't really the music industry's fault for making me want to buy these things so badly. Sure, the enhanced sound and occasional extra features are their way of upping the ante. But just looking at those two familiar album jackets I knew that deep inside me I'm just lonesome for a place I know. That what I'm really buying is a piece of my childhood. A time when MTV actually played music videos and I actually knew who all of the artists on the Billboard Charts were. (These days I don't think I could name one, unless James Taylor's new album -- of old songs -- is still floating around.) A time when I could literally spend hours combing through stacks of records (without back pain). A time when going to a concert was something that was planned out and organized for months in advance. (I debuted my Limahl two-tone 'do at a Pretenders concert, after all.) And those tickets cost less than today's "convenience" fees.

(click stubs for maximum awesomeness)

Perhaps my admission is something music marketing types are on to and they're deliberately preying upon nostalgia geeks like me. But deep down I don't really care. For those few minutes when I'm buying these shiny "new" albums, I like pretending.

"Learning to Crawl": Produced by Chris Thomas, the Pretenders' hit 1984 album includes the all-time classics "Back on the Chain Gang, "Middle Of The Road," "My City Was Gone," and the underrated"Show Me" Also features their memorable cover of the Persuaders' 1971 hit "Thin Line Between Love And Hate" and Hynde's gorgeous contemporary Christmas classic "2000 Miles." For those wondering, the seven bonus tracks --two previously unissued -- include live versions of "My City Was Gone" and "Money" (from 1985's US Festival!) as well as three Denmark Street demos, including "I Hurt You" and "When I Change My Life."

"Get Close": The band's 1986 features the Top 10 hit "Don't Get Me Wrong" and the standouts "How Much Did You Get For Your Soul," "Hymn To Her," "I Remember You" and the Hendrix cover "Room Full Of Mirrors." Six bonus tracks include the previously unreleased "Dance (Take 1)" and "Don't Get Me Wrong" (live), as well as an alternate version of "Hold A Candle To This," a remix of "Tradition of Love," and "Thumbelina" (live).

Pretenders Deluxe

The first album I profiled in my ongoing Listen Up series of all-time favorites was the classic Pretenders debut from 1980. Over the summer I went to see the Pretenders and couldn't believe how great Chrissie Hynde sounds after all these years (it's like time stood still with that woman). I've long been complaining that the early Pretenders albums were begging to be remastered (when songs from them come on my iPod, they're half as loud as current music), but it was beginning to seem like every other album was being deluxed up except the Pretenders.

Much to my delight the good people at Rhino Records answered my prayers this Tuesday -- and the glorious results arrived in my mailbox today! Where do I begin in describing what they've done: not only are the first two albums remastered and sounding better than ever, each comes with a bonus disc of rarities, b-sides, demos and live tracks from the early years. Both collections come with the complete lyrics (something the original albums didn't have if my memory serves me correctly) and both have all of the original artwork and detailed liner notes, including information on the bonus material. I just got them today and haven't even gotten through all four discs yet as I write this -- I just heard Chrissie scream out her McEnroe-inspired "You guys are the pits of the world!" opening of "Pack It Up" -- but already I'm mesmerized by the demo of "Brass in Pocket" in which Chrissie's point of view is completely in reverse singing "You're special. So special" rather than the more appropriate rocker chick "I'm special" attitude we've always loved. Another surprise is that the song "Tequila" from 1994's "The Last of the Independents" is actually an old number from the original lineup days (the demo is included).

If you're a Pretenders fan you'll want to get both of these classic albums in the format they deserve to be heard in. Go to Amazon and check out the two-disc remastered versions of "Pretenders" here and "Pretenders II" here.

(Note to Rhino: You really outdid yourselves, but did you have to use those annoying cardboard cases that are too big to fit in a CD rack?! Oh, well. You can't have everything ...)

Previously:
I Love Pretending
Listen Up: Pretenders (1980)