Chrissie Hynde approximated the classic early
Pretenders sound on the
Dan Auerbach-produced
Alone, a 2016 album where she was the only Pretender on record.
Hate for Sale flips this situation on its head. Hiring
Stephen Street as producer -- he last worked with the group on 1999's
Viva el Amor --
Hynde brought the touring
Pretenders lineup into the studio, a configuration that includes founding drummer
Martin Chambers, who hasn't played on an album by the band since 2002's
Loose Screw. The result is a back-to-basics move performed without an ounce of cynicism. Much of the liveliness of
Hate for Sale is due to
Street capturing the
Pretenders as a straight-up rock & roll band, adding a little flair to the mix but being sure there's enough color and groove so it's not monochromatic. It helps that the songs are good, too. Writing solely with lead guitarist
James Walbourne,
Hynde chooses not to explore new territory but rather accentuate the band's strengths. The band roars through the title track, dips into reggae on "Lightning Man," rocks to a
Bo Diddley beat on "Didn't Want to Be This Lonely," swaggers to a New Wave rhythm on "Turf Accountant Daddy," and simmers soulfully on "You Can't Hurt a Fool." None of these sounds are precisely new, but they are executed with vigor and spirit by a band who seems to enjoy playing as a band again, which makes for a vivid contrast with
Alone. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
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