Pretenders II CD

The band look magnificent on the cover as they pose with make-up or heavily retouched faces. They look confident, knowing that their follow-up is almost as good as the debut. Chrissie and Ray Davies were stepping out at this time, hence the opening track, "The Adultress," as Hynde whispers her confession over a furious wall of sound, to be immediately followed by her reminder that "Bad Boys Get Spanked." If only Chrissie, if only. The album drives and dives, pausing for "I Go To Sleep," another old Ray Davies song. There is not a bad track in sight.

The Pretenders' second album received a much-deserved upgrade in the fall of 2006, as Rhino reissued it as a double-disc set containing a remastered version of the original album on the first disc and a wealth of rarities on the second. If this bonus disc pales in comparison to the bonus disc on the reissue of The Pretenders, it's because it packs few revelations or unexpected rarities among its 18 tracks. Which isn't to say that there's a lot of familiar recordings here: all but two of the tracks are previously unreleased, but all but three are live tracks. Since the original lineup of the Pretenders was one of the great rock & roll bands of its time, these live tracks are all very good, bordering on excellent, but it's not quite the same as hearing rough demos and unheard songs, which is what makes the bonus disc on The Pretenders so good. That said, the live cuts here are all excellent, the demo of "Talk of the Town" is fine, and the alternate guitar version of "I Go to Sleep" is worth having, so this will hardly be a disappointment to those who love the album. In fact, since this lineup of the Pretenders didn't leave much of a recorded legacy behind, it's easy to argue that this is closer to being essential than being a curiosity for those who love this band. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Recorded at Wessex Studios, London, England and Pathe Marconi Studios, Paris, France.

The Pretenders: James Honeyman-Scott (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Pete Farndon (vocals, bass guitar); Chrissie Hynde, Martin Chambers.

Personnel: Honeyman Scott, James (vocals, guitar, keyboards); Chrissie Hynde (vocals, guitar); Martin Chambers (vocals, drums); Chris Mercer (tenor saxophone); Jim Wilson , Henry Lowther (trumpet); Geoff Bryant (French horn).

Audio Mixer: Ed Stasium.

Audio Remasterers: Dan Hersch; Bill Inglot.

Liner Note Author: James McNair.

Recording information: 09/04/1981.

Director: Steven Canavan.

Editor: Vanessa Atkins.

Photographers: Wendy Dancey; Gavin Cochrane.

The Pretenders: Chrissie Hynde (vocals, guitar); James Honeyman Scott (guitar, vocals); Pete Farndon (bass, vocals); Martin Chambers (drums,

Additional personnel: Chris Mercer (tenor saxophone); Henry Lowther, Jim Wilson (trumpet); Geoff Bryant (French horn); Chris Thomas.

(vocals).

Uncut (p.110) - "Hynde's smartness and candour are always in evidence....[The album] overflows with energy and romance..."