The Greatest Music
Pretenders
by Pretenders
The 99th greatest album of all time
Pretenders is the 1979 debut album by Pretenders that blends new wave urgency with rock and pop sensibilities, pairing chiming, economical guitar work and a propulsive rhythm section with Chrissie Hynde's cool, emotionally direct vocals. The songs range from concise, hook-driven pop to taut post-punk rock, and the production keeps the band sound immediate and uncluttered. The record established the group's distinctive mix of melody and attitude and helped define a transitional sound between punk, post-punk, and mainstream rock.
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