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Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders have probably done more to popularize punk rock than almost any other band, save the Clash (and maybe even then, too). If you doubt this statement, then you need to listen to their debut album once again, which has been re-released in a deluxe edition, with a second disk of bonus tracks.
Their first album combines ferocious energy, attitude, and raw talent with elements that are rare for most punk rock; intelligence, and a heightened sense of melody. Hynde defines herself here as the penultimate tomboy femme fatale, mostly because of her sense of self-control and viciously sharp observation. The toughness of her demeanor is stunning, but it only works because you can sense the vulnerability of her stance. “Precious” is the ultimate statement of self confidence bolstered with an aggressive attitude, but it is balanced by the wary sensitivity and sympathetic nature conveyed in “Kid.” This dichotomy is a major factor when conveying the timeless appeal of this disk, but the band’s ability to keep the energy level at full force is equally important.
Guitarist James Honeyman-Scott provides a textbook-perfect example of brilliant support, ripping through riffs without wasting a single note. Bassist Pete Farndon jettisoned the momentum of drummer Martin Chambers, working the rhythm section like a pair of Olympic skiers perfectly tearing their way through an obstacle course of dropped beats and odd time signatures, yet somehow making it easy to bang your head in time. Honeyman-Scott and Farndon were not long for this world, but this album is a testament to what they were capable of.
“Tattooed Love Boys” is a miracle of shifting beats, hard drive and pure attitude. “Mystery Achievement” is a marvel in rhythmic momentum, providing the bed of nails for Hynde’s tough vocal stance. “Brass in Pocket” may well be the most brilliantly conceived single of the punk era, adding a deft touch of pop sensibility which helped catapult the band past the commercial limitations of pure punk. The bonus disk has a few highlights as well, including the masterful “Cuban Slide,” and a great, raw demo versions of “Brass in Pocket” and “Stop Your Sobbing.” “The Pretenders” is a near perfect record of its times. Heard thirty years later, it is merely a near-perfect record.
Grade: 
 
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