Album made some legit noise upon release (memories from "the field"--I was working in retail records at the time). "Losing" Nick Lowe wasn't that big a blow, we seem to recall, as Chris Thomas took over. He certainly had cred in the field, having produced the Pistols. His Pistols partner, Bill Price, engineered.
I'm noticing Wiki has this as being on "Real Records," which must be referring to a re-issue of some sort. They were squarely on Sire, distributed by Warner Bros. If I still had my record collection, I could simply go to the shelf and check! Yep, Discogs verifies: https://www.discogs.com/release/370135-Pretenders-Pretenders Sire, it was!
Real was apparently the original label of release in Portugal, France, and the Netherlands. Another memory comes from one of the rock mags of the day (Creem sounds like a likely culprit): With Blondie firmly planted into the rock/new wave firmament, and now, with the arrival of Chrissie, someone in one of the mags opined that he thought Chrissie could beat up Debbie Harry with no problem! Certainly couldn't (and can't) argue!!!
Those are my notes from the field, Kevin! I don't mind sharing while I can still recall 'em! Thanks for allowing!🎶😁👍
I consider them a pivotal, transformative band on so many levels--their sound, their songwriting, their impact on how women were seen in the world of rock. As Martin Chambers said when asked what it was like working with Chrissie all those years, "As long as you do what she says, it's all good." This is a great song but what really made them great, as with other pivotal bands, was their facility with many different moods and styles, all the while keeping an instantly recognizable, signature sound. Without them, the whole evolution of rock, punk and New Wave looks different. Here is a short post I wrote about them some time back, with a sampling of very different songs: https://zapatosjam.substack.com/p/chrissie-hynde-and-the-pretenders-20-08-02
Great song, one of my favorites by this band. Fantastic live also. Saw them on first tour in U. S. and twice on the Learning to Crawl tour. They played a show at Washington University's Graham chapel when I was a sophomore... I told everyone that I would quit school to carry Chrissie's guitar case.... And I meant it!
This whole album is great, easily my favorite Pretenders album of all time. And while I do like "Mystery Achievement," it's "Precious" that will always have my heart. I'd include this track on a playlist of Deep Cut Punk Anthems that no one knows about.
This album and Learning to Crawl are two of the era's best. I covered LTC in EONS last year and noted that "Time the Avenger" was a successful callback to "Mystery Achievement." I also noted that in Chrissie Hynde's missive to other female rock stars, she closed with the following piece of advice: “Don’t think that sticking your boobs out and trying to look fuckable will help. Remember you’re in a rock and roll band. It’s not “fuck me,” it’s “fuck you”! " And that's why I love Chrissie Hynde
What a delightful piece of 80s music. Also great to get some depth for this band, beyond the wonderful but maybe-played-too-much-in-december christmas favorite 2000 miles.
Love this album Kevin, just dug out my original vinyl copy and will give it a spin later. Looking forward to getting to 'Mystery Achievement' as it's not a song I can immediately recall.
(My copy's on Warner Bros by the way Brad, no mention of Real - just WBN 56.774)
Great band but topped by the awesomeness of CH's voice. I loved last year's 'Standing in the Doorway' her lockdown recorded album of Dylan covers.
Love the note on the inner sleeve that says, "Write to The Pretenders :- C/o Paul & Wendo, 39 Floral St., Covent Garden, London WC2." Oh, the innocence of those pre-interned days. Might drop Paul and Wendo a line, see what they're up to these days!!
One of the best songs ever by one of the best bands ever.
Album made some legit noise upon release (memories from "the field"--I was working in retail records at the time). "Losing" Nick Lowe wasn't that big a blow, we seem to recall, as Chris Thomas took over. He certainly had cred in the field, having produced the Pistols. His Pistols partner, Bill Price, engineered.
I'm noticing Wiki has this as being on "Real Records," which must be referring to a re-issue of some sort. They were squarely on Sire, distributed by Warner Bros. If I still had my record collection, I could simply go to the shelf and check! Yep, Discogs verifies: https://www.discogs.com/release/370135-Pretenders-Pretenders Sire, it was!
Real was apparently the original label of release in Portugal, France, and the Netherlands. Another memory comes from one of the rock mags of the day (Creem sounds like a likely culprit): With Blondie firmly planted into the rock/new wave firmament, and now, with the arrival of Chrissie, someone in one of the mags opined that he thought Chrissie could beat up Debbie Harry with no problem! Certainly couldn't (and can't) argue!!!
Those are my notes from the field, Kevin! I don't mind sharing while I can still recall 'em! Thanks for allowing!🎶😁👍
Anytime! Post away. :)
Funny that I never know the names of songs, but as soon as I played this I was like, Oh yeah, that one! 😂
Haha. Same here.
all-time favorite song and album - more to come
Right on! Looking forward to it.
"My City Was Gone" is one of the best rock songs ever written. I really understand her feelings in that one...
I consider them a pivotal, transformative band on so many levels--their sound, their songwriting, their impact on how women were seen in the world of rock. As Martin Chambers said when asked what it was like working with Chrissie all those years, "As long as you do what she says, it's all good." This is a great song but what really made them great, as with other pivotal bands, was their facility with many different moods and styles, all the while keeping an instantly recognizable, signature sound. Without them, the whole evolution of rock, punk and New Wave looks different. Here is a short post I wrote about them some time back, with a sampling of very different songs: https://zapatosjam.substack.com/p/chrissie-hynde-and-the-pretenders-20-08-02
Great song, one of my favorites by this band. Fantastic live also. Saw them on first tour in U. S. and twice on the Learning to Crawl tour. They played a show at Washington University's Graham chapel when I was a sophomore... I told everyone that I would quit school to carry Chrissie's guitar case.... And I meant it!
Who could blame you? I would've too.
This whole album is great, easily my favorite Pretenders album of all time. And while I do like "Mystery Achievement," it's "Precious" that will always have my heart. I'd include this track on a playlist of Deep Cut Punk Anthems that no one knows about.
I /almost/ went with 'Precious," but decided not to at the last minute. One of my favorites, along with "Space Invaders."
It’s a question of whims. That album is so good.
This album and Learning to Crawl are two of the era's best. I covered LTC in EONS last year and noted that "Time the Avenger" was a successful callback to "Mystery Achievement." I also noted that in Chrissie Hynde's missive to other female rock stars, she closed with the following piece of advice: “Don’t think that sticking your boobs out and trying to look fuckable will help. Remember you’re in a rock and roll band. It’s not “fuck me,” it’s “fuck you”! " And that's why I love Chrissie Hynde
I've gotta root through the archives to find that one!
Hynde is always good for a great quote!
What a delightful piece of 80s music. Also great to get some depth for this band, beyond the wonderful but maybe-played-too-much-in-december christmas favorite 2000 miles.
Great piece. The Pretenders take me right back to the 80s. Music is the best time machine.
It totally is!
Love this album Kevin, just dug out my original vinyl copy and will give it a spin later. Looking forward to getting to 'Mystery Achievement' as it's not a song I can immediately recall.
(My copy's on Warner Bros by the way Brad, no mention of Real - just WBN 56.774)
Great band but topped by the awesomeness of CH's voice. I loved last year's 'Standing in the Doorway' her lockdown recorded album of Dylan covers.
Love the note on the inner sleeve that says, "Write to The Pretenders :- C/o Paul & Wendo, 39 Floral St., Covent Garden, London WC2." Oh, the innocence of those pre-interned days. Might drop Paul and Wendo a line, see what they're up to these days!!
Tim - challenge69.substack.com
Lol. If you do drop a line, let us know if you hear back. :)