1-19-11
The Pretenders
Well, at least two of these guys pretended their way out of this world…
7″ BRASS IN POCKET (PS) REAL UK ARE 11
1979 3 TRKS with pic sleeve
7″ KID / TATTOOED LOVE BOYS (PS) REAL UK ARE 9
1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
7″ MESSAGE OF LOVE / PORCELAIN (PS) REAL UK ARE 15
1981 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
LP PRETENDERS (1980) (1st Album) SIRE US SRK 6083
1980 12 TRKS
CDx2 PRETENDERS (1980) (1st album) RHINO US R2 74178
1980 28 TRKS (’06 issue)(16 x bonus tracks)
LP PRETENDERS II SIRE US SRK 3572
1981 12 TRKS
CD PRETENDERS II MOBILE FIDELITY UDSA-CD 2056
1981 12 TRKS (’10 issue) hybrid SA-CD
LP SINGLES, THE SIRE US 25664.1
1987 16 TRK Collection
7″ STOP YOUR SOBBING / PHONE CALL, THE (PS) SIRE US SRE 49506
1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
7″ STOP YOUR SOBBING / THE WAIT (PS) REAL UK ARE 6
1979 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
7″ TALK OF THE TOWN / CUBAN SLIDE (PS) REAL UK ARE 12
1980 2 TRKS with pic sleeve
I first heard Ms. Hynde on “Hurt” by Chris Spedding, I believe. I remember that KROQ used to play the hell out of the UK B-Side “The Wait”. Too bad they had to re-record it for the album. I only just got the SA-CD of the 2nd album this year.
Looks like I am all done buying Pretenders CD’s – unless MFSL decides to make an SA-CD of the debut album. I got the Rhino 2CD version of the debut album as that seemed to have all (or nearly all) of the desirable B-sides / non-LP tracks.
I really love the video that was made for the debut album – with Ms. Hynde doing her laundry and Martin Chambers going on and on about how birds fly etc.
I think “The Singles” pretty much takes care of any post-2nd album needs that I may have concerning The Pretenders. Truth is, they’re a bit mainstream for my taste; boy, did I ever hear the first two albums played a lot at the time – usually against my will. It’s taken nearly 30 years for me to want to her ‘em again! I must say, the Real (UK) 45’s have a great sound to them.
I try to stay away from bad-mouthing things that I realize some people feel strongly about. I’m not bad-mouthing The Pretenders at all, really. It’s just so much more mainstream that most of the topics I write about.
Get the first two albums and all the UK 45’s you can find from 1979 – 1981. The Rhino 2CD version of the debut album is quite good, and I can easily recommend the MFSL hybrid SA-CD of the 2nd album. Rock music!
Ronkanefiles's Blog 
I had the first album, the post-LP singles, then I stopped cold. Never got the 2nd album. Then the dudes were gone and it was s different ball game. I also remember that video with the Scottish gent! If you have a copy of it I would need that when you DVD it, please! I’ve been trying to see that again for 30+ years!
I traded off the debut years ago and only got it in 2006 on CD and found that while I hadn’t missed it, I sure remembered the entire album like the back of my hand. “Mystery Achievement” has one of the most insistent basslines ever. There’s a 1st take of “The Wait?” My favorite Pretenders tune? I need that! Is it on the 1st LP 2xCD RM?
Yep. Get the Rhino 2CD re-master; most all of the wonderful B-Sides are there.
One of the things that struck me when I listened to this album for the first time in 26 years upon getting the CD was “what in the hell is Chrissie Hynde singing?” Never have I heard someone singing so unintelligibly. I honestly can’t say what 70% of the lyrics are. I didn’t remember that from 1980.