Pretenders - Hate for Sale

  by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 13 / 9 / 2020

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Singer Chrissie Hynde was a teenager in 1960's America and grew up with American pop radio. As a result, her songs have always had an old-fashioned melodic feel. Although her band, the Pretenders, grew out of the white heat of London's punk scene, Chrissie's influence meant the band's sound was always slightly at odds with the more abrasive style of their punk contemporaries in the 1970s. 'Hate for Sale', the latest (11th) album from The Pretenders, follows in that tradition. It is full of three minute pop songs - and none the worse for that! Chrissie, now 68, moved from Akron, Ohio, to London in 1973. After years training in opera as a teenager, she has her own very distinctive – and powerful – vocal style. Last year she released a jazz album tackling standards by people like Frank Sinatra and Charles Mingus. During Covid quarantine she was posting acoustic covers of Bob Dylan songs online. All this output was impressive. Yet, Chrissie says she is always most at home performing her own material - and it shows. 'Hate for Sale' was released in mid-July, though five of its tracks were available for streaming in advance. Chrissie is supported on the album by her touring band including accomplished guitarist James Walbourne, bassist Nick Wilkinson and founding Pretenders member, drummer Martin Chambers. Echoes of yesteryear abound – not least in the bright, chiming chords of 'The Buzz'. Producer Stephen Street uses a guitar-heavy wall of sound on much of the album. 'Turf Accountant Daddy' is a stomping garage-rock number while the melodica-led 'Lightning Man' brings a change of pace, linking Chrissie's languorous voice with lilting reggae. The songs are not sentimental but the lyrics are powerfully emotional. Throughout, Chrissie Hynde reinforces her capacity to pack a strong emotional punch - not least in the ballads 'You Can't Hurt A Fool' and 'Crying In Public'. There's a candour here that demonstrates very clearly Chrissie Hynde remains a major force to be reckoned with. No surprise she is so highly regarded across the UK music business!

Track Listing:-

1 Hate for Sale
2 The Buzz
3 Lightning Man
4 Turf Accountant Daddy
5 You Can't Hurt a Fool
6 I Didn't Know When to Stop
7 Maybe Love Is in NYC
8 Junkie Walk
9 Didn't Want to Be This Lonely
10 Crying in Public

Band Links:-

https://thepretenders.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pretenders
https://twitter.com/ThePretendersHQ

Label Links:-

https://www.bmg.com/uk/
https://www.facebook.com/BMGRM
https://twitter.com/BMG
https://www.facebook.com/bmgchrysalisuk
https://twitter.com/bmguk

Have a Listen:-

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