On the Shelf 217: The Pretenders

[bedsitter23]

Like the X album from earlier this year, it feels good to say The Pretenders are back. Hate For Sale checks off all of those marks we were waiting for from a Band as iconic as the Pretenders.

I don’t quite buy the CW though. That Dan Auerbach didn’t get the band, and that Martin Chambers was a necessary part of having a good album. Yes, I do think the band benefits from Stephen Street’s (and Chambers) involvement.

But I don’t think this album came from thin air. Yes, I do consider the bands wilderness years in the 90s disappointing, the band has found their way back. While I don’t think 08’s Break Up the Concrete or 17s Alone to be better than the new disc, it’s a pretty slim margin. If you haven’t heard ‘Concrete’ in awhile, go back and listen. Also, Hydne’s Jazz- informer solo album from last year was a pretty solid platter as well.

That said, Hate For Sale does what you hope it would. There’s no killer single but songs like The Buzz come close enough to the feeling that it’s a minor complaint. Ballads served the band well in the 90s but are my least favorite part of the record. You Can’t Hurt a Fool has potential but is clunky and Crying in Public sounds like it was pulled from a Desmond Child reject list.

But those are exceptions, Maybe Love is in in New York City has the slow burn that only Chrissie can pull off. Overall, it’s a pretty solid beginning to end listen that should cement what we already know about the legendary Pretenders.

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