Comments for Pretenders, The, Get Close

The most pop-rock oriented album she(they) have made. the guitars sound great, and of course the words do as well. If you like ballads, this is the album. It has some political commentary in "Dance" and "How much did you get for your Soul."

"Get Close" (title from the second line of the track "Tradition of Love") represented a new direction after the intensely American "Learning to Crawl", introducing a little experimentation with shankar. It's a very mature album with much introspection but never drops the typical Hynde rock sensibility. With originals such as "Don't Get Me Wrong" and "My Baby", Hynde again demonstrates her natural songwriting ability, unpretentious delivery and straightforward appeal. A less aggressive but balanced album than earlier efforts, but definitely up with Pretenders I - not to be missed.

Chrissie Hynde is usually the main focus when discussing any Pretenders album but her band deserves alot of the credit here for giving "Get Close" such a warm, beautiful sound throughout. Not that Chrissie doesn''t deserve any praise herself. Her vocals and songwriting on "Hymn To Her" are the equal of the lush soundscapes. Only "How Much Did You Get For Your Soul?" a sanctimonmious swipe at Michael Jackson, leaves a bad aftertaste.