Think of this long awaited studio album as if it were the first Pretenders record: musical turf that's defined by attitude, lyrical and melodic mastery, and the unexpected...and Chrissie Hynde's voice as you've always know... more »n it. "Break Up The Concrete" is an authentic slice of rock Americana, ranging from blistering punk to the most delicate storytelling as told by the queen of rock royalty herself.« less
Think of this long awaited studio album as if it were the first Pretenders record: musical turf that's defined by attitude, lyrical and melodic mastery, and the unexpected...and Chrissie Hynde's voice as you've always known it. "Break Up The Concrete" is an authentic slice of rock Americana, ranging from blistering punk to the most delicate storytelling as told by the queen of rock royalty herself.
"I want to be clear: This is not a mind-blowing album. It doesn't reinvent rock and roll or even just The Pretenders. But it does confirm and remind us why we've loved Chrissie Hynde for all these years. Great singing, song-writing, and playing. It's not complicated, and it doesn't have to be.
Like the classic Pretenders albums of the early 80s, the production is lean, this time working in slide guitars and Bo Diddley shuffles, but maintaining the sound and feel of a live band. The songs speak for themselves, and Hynde's voice and signature hard-nosed attitude come across clearly. There aren't any songs here that match up with Brass in Pocket, Back on the Chain Gang, Middle of the Road, or The Pretenders' other classics, but the songs are smart and feel honest. The album is focused and real and plays to Hynde and co.'s strengths. And Chrissie's voice hasn't lost a bit of its range or power. She'll always be THE greatest woman in rock for my money.
My only complaint about The Pretenders is that I wish they (well, she, really) were more prolific. It'd be great not to have to wait so long for Hynde to give more of her singular talent to the world. So, in short, I think this a good, solid album, one that will appeal to longtime fans, even if it doesn't reach the peaks of past glories."
This Is Why The Pretenders Are In The Rock Hall Of Fame
Brien Comerford | Glenview, Illinois United States | 10/07/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Break Up The Concrete" is a flawless and diverse CD that vindicates why Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Hame. Hynde has always been the heart and soul of this band and her wondrous and versatile vocals resonate with grandeur throughout a CD that includes rock, punk, country, folk and ballads. Her voice can be as forceful as an angry punk icon and as a tender as the most ethereal angel. "Boots Of Chinese Plastic" is a compelling and frenetic hit and the highly emotional and yearning "One Thing Never Changed" is one of the greatest songs in Pretenders' history only to be topped by the endearing and gorgeously sung "Love's A Mystery." When Chrissie Hynde was busy with her vegetarian eatery in Akron, Ohio she also managed to somehow even enhance her sound as the greatest front-woman in Rock and Roll."
The Pretenders still tight as ever, Chrissie Hynde's voice s
Storylover | Philadelphia, PA USA | 10/09/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I knew I was going to love this the moment that I heard the first track was called "Boots of Chineese Plastic". For a brief moment, I hoped that she had done some sort of back-handed cover of Dylan's "Boots of Spanish Leather". Then I started the disc and was smacked in the face by the Pretenders stompin, rockin, blisteringly tight playing. They tear this music up--all of it--like this is their first and only chance to get heard. Not all the tunes are as in your face as that first track, but in every circumstance, this band is committed to delivering great music. How many bands with the longevity of the Pretenders can put out a disc this good? Not many, folks, not many.
Check out the wonders that this music holds: sharp guitar playing, driving drums, really melodic bass parts, and holding it all together, Chrissie Hynde's vibrato, alternatively husky and plaintive, round and full as an overripe plum, dripping with anger, sadness, and an all-knowing sense of understanding of itself. Chrissie understands that she makes the music something more than it is on paper when she sings.
Do you love the Pretenders already? Well then, you've probably already bought this disc. Go ahead and get a second copy to give to a friend. Do you like "Brass in Pocket" but haven't thought much about the band since the 80's? Well, give this a little chance. This is too good to miss."
Brillant, No robots on those guitars and Hynde on Vocals
K. C Wilson | Sacramento, CA | 10/08/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Chrissie Hynde, thanks for keeping it real.
The music is exceptional, everybody is tight, loose and together.
Lyrics just as brilliant.
I know I mentioned the guitars and the vocals..but don't let anyone know
but the drummer was brilliant too.
The mastering on this incredible. This is the best sound quality
I have ever heard from a standard cd.
great great album..nuff said.
"
Has its moments - 3 1/2 stars
T. Korol | Rochester, NY | 10/10/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I really want to gush over this, but alas... how about half of it?
I saw them 2 years ago (with Martin Chambers aboard) and there is no doubt Chrissie still has it and then some. But history is history, and myself being a longtime fan, how do you top the 1st three releases (P, P-II, Crawl)? No group could maintain that level of consistency. I think this release is typical of most of her work since (excepting Isle of View, a great live release). There is a lot of really really good stuff, a couple classics/great ones, and some songs that are certainly good but to be honest, forgettable. I think overall the lyrics are strong. The musicianship is fine. For me, too many of the songs just don't stand out in the arrangements or melody. This disc certainly has a good mix - rockers, ballads, stompers. And lots of pedal steel. Oh, and Jim Keltner (yay).
A quick track by track (clearly subjective and open to debate) omitting titles for brevity: 1 - Boots is classic. uh-1-2-3-4... Turn it up! 2 - a ballad and I like this one quite a bit; not classic, but moody and lyrically strong. 3 - Bluesy. just ok, will probably skip this one a lot. 4 - very good raucous stomping bo diddley/rockabilly number. we've heard it before but it still sounds good. 5 - I love Love's a mystery.. It just hits me right. great melody, simple yet smart lyrics, good pedal steel. 6 - quick paced acoustic number; good piano fills. very listenable but is this really memorable? a great example of what I'm trying to get across - good, can't criticize it, but I want more than good. 7 - I keep listening to Almost Perfect and on one hand think 'wow, this is great' and on the other keep feeling 'what the heck is missing'?? It's real moody, and here and there seems like it is about to explode (in a good way) but doesn't. I keep imagining this song with some snarky, fuzzy, distorted guitar fills (a la Honeyman-scott) to really bring it home. 8 - another ballad. ho-hum. does not do much for me; skippable. 9 - nice crunching guitar interplay, medium paced rocker, but on this one I find the lyrics boring. After a few listens I find now I drift off 1/2 way through and skip to... 10! title track. great stomper. rock on Chrissie - daga daga daga daga... 11 - I agree with another review - one of her best ballads ever. This is a gorgeous song, pedal steel really adds a lot. Chrissie just emotes so well in her singing on this. Beautiful, aching, tender, longing. Perfect.
Look, fans are no doubt going to like this a lot, and overall I do like it. The songs that don't grab me are by no means bad; I guess I just expect more (maybe too much?). And I gotta respect Chrissie's talent - certainly earned her spot in the Hall! I just can't give this the accolades others have. In retrospect I would have downloaded 1/2 the songs and left the rest. But it is still good to have a CD from Chrissie, no matter who backs her as "the Pretenders". It's her show and when she is good (songwise), you don't get many better."