The Pretenders Albums Ranked

The Pretenders are an English-American rock band formed in March 1978. The original band consisted of founder and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards), Pete Farndon (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Martin Chambers (drums, backing vocals, percussion). Following the drug-related deaths of Honeyman-Scott and Farndon in 1982–83, the band experienced numerous subsequent personnel changes. Hynde has been the band’s only consistent member. The Pretenders’ hit songs include “Brass in Pocket” (1979), “Talk of the Town” (1980), “Message of Love” (1981), “Back on the Chain Gang” (1982), “Middle of the Road” (1983), “2000 Miles” (1983), “Don’t Get Me Wrong” (1986), “My Baby” (1986), and “I’ll Stand by You” (1994). The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Here are all of The Pretenders’ albums ranked.

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10. Alone (2016)

“This is a Classic. Never mind that she called it “Pretenders” (she has that right…and other than Martin, who’s really an “original member” since the 80’s?). Hugely more listenable than “Stockholm” (I thought that was pretty bland). The most cohesive set of songs she’s put out since, ah, I don’t know, “Last of The Independents”, but tighter than that. And the kicker here (what makes it a real classic) is that it can be listened to as “a piece”, a “work”…from start to finish, with “Holy Commotion” as a bonus cherry on the ice cream sundae.”

9. Packed! (1990)

“This album is VERY underrated. Even Chrissie Hynde seems to dislike it, which is too bad. Some very classic Pretenders sounds while being a perfect bridge to the next album, Last of the Independents.  “Downtown (Akron)” sounds like a follow-up to “Precious” (from the first LP). Produced by Mitchell Froom (who also plays keyboards), with contributions by Billy Bremner and David Rhodes.  All Chrissie Hynde originals, except “When Will I See You” (co-written by ex-Smiths Johnny Marr) and a cover of Hendrix’s “May This Be Love”.”

8. Break Up the Concrete (2008)

“I love Chrissie Hyne. So I had to get this. I had heard that it was a return, back to the old sound. It doesn’t, not at all. It’s raw, but has the very steel guitar twangy element going on. I do appreciate the “hear I am”, down and dirty, approach, but the Pretenders that I’m a big fan of, is the punk chick cussing at me on the first 2 albums. But, I still like Chrissie’s voice on the slow tunes here. And, “Almost Perfect” is the best of these, with her bringing another comment on Ohio, of all things. Another poignant tune is “The Nothing Maker”, where I can’t tell if it’s a love song or not. Decent, respectable, but, with only a couple a tunes I really like.”

7. Loose Screw (2002)

“This passed me by on it’s release. I’m so glad that I caught up with this album. It is just perfect. Hynde’s voice is on fine form, the songs are classic Pretenders, the Jarvis Cocker penned song ‘…Panther’ is lovely. The Spanish version of Complicated is a nice bonus but for me the stand out on this album is the 10 minute plus version of I Wish You Love. It is just stunning, in execution and production, and worth the price of the disc on it’s own. I’m going to fill in the rest of the gaps in my Pretenders collection, and can’t wait for the new LP to arrive [hopefully] in July 2020. Chrissie is a legend.”

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6. ¡Viva El Amor! (1999)

“VIVA to Viva El Amor! What a superb album by the Pretenders! Excellent all around. Every tune is fabulous and well crafted flowing one into the other! Constantly in rotation on my Cd player (extremely old school, listener here) and having seen them live at the Beacon theater can attest to just how authentic their live sound is to their albums!”

5. Get Close (1986)

“Get Close falters most during its opening procession of songs.. All of Get Close’s highlights come during its latter half, if only because Hynde seems to stop fighting so hard against the things that truly work. Beneath the surface of its dated, ’80s glossiness, Don’t Get Me Wrong is a Motown-style gem in the spirit of You Can’t Hurry Love, and couched within a Caribbean rhythm, I Remember You is a bittersweet reflection upon a love affair that has ended. Chill Factor details the repercussions of divorce, while Meg Keene’s Hymn to Her is another in a long line of songs through which Hynde has examined the roles of women in western society. Tucked in the midst of it all, How Much Did You Get for Your Soul? recasts David Bowie’s Fame as a scathing indictment of artists who sell themselves to the advertising industry.”

4. Last of the Independents (1994)

“Last of the Independents, the Pretenders final release on Sire Records, is the most consistently great album since their self-titled debut album and Learning to Crawl. It has the edge of their first three albums with some classic one-liners by Chrissie Hynde that are as good as anything she wrote at her peak. I think Chrissie Hynde actually became even more interesting with age, as most women do, so this may be the CD that I’ll play the most from now on.”

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3. Pretenders II (1981)

“Chrissie Hynde is one of the very best singers/songwriters in the business. I always get a charge out of her and her group whenever I listen to one of their CDs. This one is no different. Chrissie has an unmistakable voice, full of emotion, energy and vitality – the top female rocker around. She gives a satisfying listening experience matched by only a few performers. I’m not going to critique and over-analyze each song, because any CD should be judged in its entirety, as one creative offering to followers and the public. “

2. Pretenders (1979)

“A great debut album put out by the Pretenders. A combination of new wave, punk and pop songs that fits in together just grand! To bad this first lineup of the Pretenders did not last too long, it would have been nice to see how they would have turned out years later. Best songs on this album is the classic “Brass in Pocket”, a nice slow rock song. But there are a number of great fast pace punk tunes here too. One of the best is the kick off song “Precious”. James Honeyman-Scott’s lead guitar riffs are maybe not what you call typical, yet on this album they cut like a knife, to say the least. Plus anyone who felt that Pete Farndon wasn’t that great a bass player needs to listen to this album, his bass is tops throughout it. But of course, its Chrissie Hynde’s distinguish voice that pulls the album over the top.”

1. Learning to Crawl (1981)

“A near-prefect album made better w the addition of several bonus tracks, including a live version of My City Was Gone.” This was the album that catapulted the Pretenders into the mainstream. Ironically, this was a new group of musicians working with her after the loss of James Honeyman-Scott and bassist Pete Farndon, both to drug overdoses. Hyde’s songs are the best they’ve ever been, but the real treat is ex-Rockpile guitarist Billy Bremner’s guitar solos, particularly on “My City Was Gone” and “Back On The Chain Gang.” Both are worth the price of admission.”