Pretenders

A great band who fell victim to the MTV hysteria of the mid 80's. Chrissy Hynde was an incredible talent. When they called her "the female Mick Jagger", I don't think they were referring to her lips.

decent in concert

If they'd quit after the first album or after James Honeyman Scott OD'd then this would've been a 4 star rating. As it is Chissie Hynde went on to make forgettable indie type MOR fodder. Shame.

Pretenders' first 2 albums with James Honeyman Scott & Pete Farndon were their best - real rockers and original - but they made several great tunes after those too. I saw them open for Neil Young and Martin Chambers was a monster on the kit. Chrissy has always been a great singer.

In The Middle Of the Road reminds me of the Remones' What I Like About You. Pretenders have some okay stuff, but I don't know how they got into the HOF while some have yet to be inducted that rightly deserve so.

Chrissie Hynde Sucks and that is being nice.

I question the rock and roll HOF induction based on just a few great albums, but they were hot n the late 70's and early 80's. Their presence was needed in a bad rock music climate. The Pretenders played a role in keeping the rock alive. Just like a few are doing today!

Except the song Back to Ohio-which deserves 5 stars,they are entirely forgettable.

The first side of their debut was great, with some tough up-tempo rockers. Unfortunately, side 2 was a pointer of things to come, radio-friendly jangly sub-Byrds drivel lacking any spine. I detest 'Back on the chain' gang. Major problem was that they lost James Honeyman Scott whose guitar playing was at the heart of the first album.

The Pretenders are (some say were) one of the most successful new wave bands, and for good reason as they had an edgier, rock sound. The driving force of the band is indisputably Chrissie Hynde whose sexy, sometimes sultry, but instantly recognizable vocals were the perfect complement to the punk/new wave core sound of the band. Moreover, Hynde was the only member of the band to appear on each release. Despite the strength of the band's full-length efforts, the Pretenders are (again some say were) essentially a singles act (as most new wave artists were) which is evidenced by their can't miss compilation The Singles (1987), which includes practically all their most well known tracks including the Kink's cover Stop Your Sobbing, Kid, Brass In Pocket, Back On The Chain Gang, Middle Of The Road, Don't Get Me Wrong, and Chrissie and UB40's cover of I Got You Babe. Three songs of particular note that are absent from The Singles (all being released afterwards) are Never Do That from Pack... Read more

Their debut album was probably one of the best punk/new wave albums ever made. That first side is just perfection! I also thinkChrissie Hynde has a unique, beautiful, voice. However, I must admit I liked Chrissie better as a tough girl. Once she started singing those sappy, middle of the road songs, I got bored with her.

Chrissie is THE MAN. If only she could've kept the original band, the Pretenders might be considered one of the best bands in the past 25 years. As it is, they're still a damn good band, and head-and-shoulders better than most of the derivative pap out there.

Only one good hit- besides, Chrissie is yet another traitor to this country. Get the bangs out of your eyes and read the UN resolutions, honey.

for over 25yrs in biz and for all those songs! thanks

Chicks can rock as hard as guys, and Chrissie Hynde was one of the first to prove it.

It's good to see Chryssie Hynde press on amidst all of the tragedies such as losing have the band members in a year's time back in the early 80s (not a lot of people knew that). Hynde's voice has seemingly gone unscathed and it's still a good voice. The music has softened a bit in the older years but has been en enjoyable band to listen to.

Love this band. I took notice when the pretenders hit the airwaves in the late 70's, Chrissie and company rocked. Their sound of punk and hard rock still stands today. The prentenders debut album is great, but if you are new fan i highly recommend checking out the "Singles" compulation.No one can touch the songs "Brass In Pocket", "Stop Your Sobbing", "Message Of Love" and the list goes on and on. Chrissie Hynde - so unique - such a brave lady !!

One of the great rock bands of our time. Chrissie Hynde is a terrific singer, songwriter and rocker. Goes into territory and subjects way beyond the scope of sell-out bands and artists. Integrity and guts. And to those who have spoken of Pretenders in the past tense here, keep up with things! They may not get much radio time, really never have for many years, but they're still recording some killer cd's. Check 'em out! Bless the Pretenders!

They were good. Chrissie had a killer voice. One you just don't hear in the 90's and 00's.

Classic band!!!

used to be a really good band.

Terrific band - amust buy their 'Singles' record that is a greatest hits compliation.