Chrissie Hynde has been making music for more than three decades
as the only permanent member of The Pretenders. That's thirty years
having fronted one of the most influential bands of the early New Wave
movement. There are few women in rock and roll are more deserving of the
title "badass". Though Hynde has always been considered the frontwoman
and driving force of the group, it was always maintained that The
Pretenders is a band, not just Hynde. Stockholm represents Hynde's first
truly solo endeavor and she embraces the opportunity to experiment with
sounds, but still doesn't stray too far from anything in The
Pretenders' extensive back catalog
.
Stockholm was recorded in its namesake city, with production and co-writing falling on the shoulders of Björn Yttling, of the indie pop band Peter Björn and John. The album features contributions from Neil Young, Yttling, and Joakin Åhlund of the Caesars (Swedish garage rock band known for their early 2000s hit, "Jerk It Out"). Yttling is a veteran producer of various indie and indie-leaning pop bands and does a commendable, but uninspiring job on Stockholm. Chrissie's vocals are high enough in the mix for her strong voice and vibrato to shine through and be admired, but there is little variation in its recording, with very few noticeable overdubs, harmonies or interesting effects to shake things up throughout the album. The instrumentation for the most part does its job to back up Hynde, but is also fairly lacking in variation or bite, which is a shame. The Pretenders have managed to keep some edge in their more recent albums, not always an easy feat for bands that have been around as long as Hynde and company. Keeping that edge on her solo album would have definitely pleased longtime fans.
With regards to songwriting, Stockholm is fairly hit-and-miss. Album opener "You or No One" is a serviceable adult contemporary love song with some string section backings, but one of the strongest tunes on the album comes next with "Dark Sunglasses." Hynde performed this song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon somewhat recently. It is a worthy single for this album and would not have felt out of place on an early Pretenders album. The song's brisk pace and driving beat make it extremely catchy and the wordplay is some of Hynde's finest. Other interesting tunes on this album include "Down the Wrong Way," "Sweet Nuthin'," and "Adding the Blue." "Down the Wrong Way" features some searing guitar leads from Neil Young, but is otherwise forgettable. "Sweet Nuthin'" is another average but catchy track with a few interesting lyrical twists. "Adding the Blue" is the closer for Stockholm and shows off some of the best writing on the album. It reveals a more vulnerable side of Hynde with stirring lines like "I can't draw from memories or photos/ I need blood and breath, but you left me nothing." Much of the rest of the album could be considered filler, but there are a few moments of respectable lyrics and guitar licks sprinkled throughout the albums eleven tracks.
For a solo undertaking, Hynde's first time out of the gate isn't a bad effort. Stockholm mostly seems to show just how much The Pretenders isn't just a vehicle for Hynde, even if she is in the driver's seat. Perhaps she just wanted to branch out and try experimenting with some new sounds and genres for her first solo album. With nine studio albums under her belt with The Pretenders, she certainly has earned the right to do whatever she feels like, but it's unfortunate that what she wanted to try seems so bland for the most part. This album is only for the most initiated fans of The Pretenders and Chrissie Hynde. If you're still intrigued, special order this on CD or LP at your local Slackers.
.
Stockholm was recorded in its namesake city, with production and co-writing falling on the shoulders of Björn Yttling, of the indie pop band Peter Björn and John. The album features contributions from Neil Young, Yttling, and Joakin Åhlund of the Caesars (Swedish garage rock band known for their early 2000s hit, "Jerk It Out"). Yttling is a veteran producer of various indie and indie-leaning pop bands and does a commendable, but uninspiring job on Stockholm. Chrissie's vocals are high enough in the mix for her strong voice and vibrato to shine through and be admired, but there is little variation in its recording, with very few noticeable overdubs, harmonies or interesting effects to shake things up throughout the album. The instrumentation for the most part does its job to back up Hynde, but is also fairly lacking in variation or bite, which is a shame. The Pretenders have managed to keep some edge in their more recent albums, not always an easy feat for bands that have been around as long as Hynde and company. Keeping that edge on her solo album would have definitely pleased longtime fans.
With regards to songwriting, Stockholm is fairly hit-and-miss. Album opener "You or No One" is a serviceable adult contemporary love song with some string section backings, but one of the strongest tunes on the album comes next with "Dark Sunglasses." Hynde performed this song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon somewhat recently. It is a worthy single for this album and would not have felt out of place on an early Pretenders album. The song's brisk pace and driving beat make it extremely catchy and the wordplay is some of Hynde's finest. Other interesting tunes on this album include "Down the Wrong Way," "Sweet Nuthin'," and "Adding the Blue." "Down the Wrong Way" features some searing guitar leads from Neil Young, but is otherwise forgettable. "Sweet Nuthin'" is another average but catchy track with a few interesting lyrical twists. "Adding the Blue" is the closer for Stockholm and shows off some of the best writing on the album. It reveals a more vulnerable side of Hynde with stirring lines like "I can't draw from memories or photos/ I need blood and breath, but you left me nothing." Much of the rest of the album could be considered filler, but there are a few moments of respectable lyrics and guitar licks sprinkled throughout the albums eleven tracks.
For a solo undertaking, Hynde's first time out of the gate isn't a bad effort. Stockholm mostly seems to show just how much The Pretenders isn't just a vehicle for Hynde, even if she is in the driver's seat. Perhaps she just wanted to branch out and try experimenting with some new sounds and genres for her first solo album. With nine studio albums under her belt with The Pretenders, she certainly has earned the right to do whatever she feels like, but it's unfortunate that what she wanted to try seems so bland for the most part. This album is only for the most initiated fans of The Pretenders and Chrissie Hynde. If you're still intrigued, special order this on CD or LP at your local Slackers.
Visit http://www.slackers.com for more great reviews!
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