.jpg) |
| L-R: Farndon, Hynde, Chambers, Honeyman-Scott |
release date: Jan. 11, 1980
format: vinyl / cd (2014 remaster)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,16]
producer: Chris Thomas
label: Real Records / MFSL - nationality: UK / USA
Track highlights: A) 1. "Precious" (4 / 5) - 2. "The Phone Call" - 3. "Up the Neck" - 4. "Tattoed Love Boys" (4 / 5) - 6. "The Wait" (live at Rockpalast 1981)- 7. "Stop Your Sobbing" - - B) 1. "Kid" (5 / 5) - 2. "Private Life" - 3. "Brass in Pocket" (4 / 5) - 4. "Lovers of Today" - 5. "Mystery Achievement"
Studio album debut by British-American act Pretenders here consisting of only American-born member front-figure Chrissie Hynde on vocals and rhythm guitar along with three British co-founders: guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, bassist Pete(r) Farndon, and drummer Martin Chambers.
The album came out in Britain and showed an alternative path in between more established rock acts - who were actually skilled instrumentalists - and the contrary 'true' punk rockers of the now 'dead' British scene, which made way for new wave in various disguises. This wasn't the kind of new wave you would associate with Elvis Costello, The Jam, XTC, or any other act on either side of the Atlantic. If anything, they have more in common with Blondie and The Police, who also found their individual paths in between electrified new wave and more melody- / ballad-oriented pop / rock. Not unlike Andy Sumners of The Police, Honeyman-Scott came out as a shining guitar-hero of a younger generation and Hynde silenced all critics with her punchy vocal and songwriter skills, which immediately placed her alongside the best of the best. This is a debut that has gone down in music history as one of the strongest and purest original first releases next to Elvis Presley, The Clash, Velvet Underground, The Who, and only a few others who came out this strong on their first album out.
My vinyl issue is a Spanish first edition despite having a "No. 1 GB" fake ticker (looks like a ticker but is part of the cover art) on the front cover indicating it was issued on a later date in Spain when the album had peaked as Number #1 in Britain.
The album is a must-have in any collection of modern rock-music and it's a natural title in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". The album has been reissued and remastered many times, and I still think the original version is the best - the 2006 remaster is really one to avoid, but the 2014 remaster reflects a much better job done.
[ allmusic.com, Rolling Stone, Mojo, Spin, Blender 5 / 5, Uncut 4,5 / 5 stars ]
