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Pretenders
Pretenders II
Deluxe Edition
(Sire/Real/Rhino)
The Music Box's #4 reissue of 2006
First Appeared in The Music Box, December 2006, Volume 13, #12
Written by John Metzger
After storming out of the gate with its
self-titled debut, the Pretenders did what nearly every successful band does
with its sophomore effort: It climbed down from its lofty perch and opted,
instead, to play it safe. Part of the problem undoubtedly was due to the fact
that the group was in turmoil because its members had fallen prey to the
excesses of their rock ’n‘ roll lifestyles. Tellingly, in June 1982, less than a
year after the release of Pretenders II, bass player Pete Farndon was
ousted from the ensemble over issues arising from his abuse of drugs, and
guitarist James Honeyman-Scott overdosed just two days later. Meanwhile, front
woman Chrissie Hynde was in the midst of an affair with Ray Davies, and she
became pregnant with his child.
Of course, the expectations for the Pretenders’ second album were enormous,
and there was considerable pressure weighing upon the outfit to concoct an
outing that was as magnanimous as its eponymous effort. Even without the
distractions, such a feat likely would have been impossible to achieve. So, the
band did the only thing it could do. It forced the issue and tried to recreate
the magic of its initial foray. Art, however, isn’t easily replicated, and in
applying a virtually identical formula to Pretenders II — right down to
the inclusion of a Davies-penned tune — the group completely lost sight of the
unbridled enthusiasm and swagging attitude that had made its self-titled debut
so good.
Not surprisingly, Pretenders II lacked the sonic punch of its
predecessor, while Hynde’s lyrics failed to achieve the same resonance. It
wasn’t that the shock factor of her ruminations had worn off, either. Rather, it
was her more direct approach, which lessened the danger that was inherent in her
words. The provocative nature of Tattooed Love Boys, for example, gave
way to the blatant sexual hijinks of Bad Boys Get Spanked, while the more
confessional yearning of The Adultress (as well as quite a few of the
other cuts on the set) served only to muddy the rebellious and defiant aura that
had come to settle around the ensemble. Although the endeavor was hardly
forgettable, only the shimmering, ’60s-imbued pop of Talk of the Town and
the horn-splattered, punk-driven soul of Louie Louie compared favorably
with the material on the Pretenders’ debut.
Nevertheless, the 15 live cuts contained on the two-disc deluxe edition of
Pretenders II make it abundantly apparent that the songs weren’t really the
problem. It was the band’s delivery that considerably undermined the outing. In
concert, the Pretenders’ material was far more forceful, which effectively
mitigated the inferiority of its new compositions. Although the tunes from the
group’s debut still boasted a more visceral attack, Honeyman-Scott’s electric
guitar combined with the propulsive drive that sprang from the rhythm section of
Farndon and drummer Martin Chambers succeeded in putting a charge into The
Adultress, Day after Day, and The English Roses. It was on
stage that the Pretenders made its atmospheric excursions emotionally palpable
as it captured the blend of texture and toughness that had remained elusive in
the recording studio.
Pretenders II [Deluxe Edition] — 
Bonus Materials —
Pretenders II [Original Album] — ½
Pretenders II [Deluxe Edition] is available
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Pretenders II [Original Album] is available
from Amazon.com. To order, Click Here!
For Canadian orders, please
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For UK orders, please
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Ratings
1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!
Copyright © 2006 The Music Box
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