Pretenders I or Pretenders II

I've really been digging both of these albums lately. The only two albums recorded by the first line-up of punk princess Chrissie Hynde's Pretenders are amongst the band's finest recorded works. The first album was released in 1980, and is looked back upon as a classic today, featuring one of the band's biggest hits "Brass In Pocket" along with other great pop nuggets "Kid" and "Stop Your Sobbing." In between those tracks are some of the best punk/new wave songs recorded of the era. "Precious", "Up The Neck", "Tattooed Love Boys" stand as hidden gems and the bass driven closer "Mystery Achievement" remains one of their most iconic pieces of music.

Pretenders II doesn't get as much attention as it's near perfect debut (an album that is hard to top), most likely because it's sound and structure is obviously similar to the first album and the music featured is slightly inferior (at least that's how it was viewed at the time) but in recent years it has picked up a stronger critical stature. "The Adultress" kicks that album off with a garage groove and the following "Bad Boys Get Spanked" is one of the most intense moments recorded on a Pretenders album. The hits, "Message Of Love" and "Talk Of The Town" were not as successful but they carry hooks as catchy as their formers. Like the first album, II contains some great deep cuts, like "Pack It Up" and "Jealous Dogs".

I'll choose the first album, which is near perfect in structure, song writing and performance, though the second album is great and is highly underrated.

Take your pick!

 

Pretenders is one of the best rock albums ever made.

Pretenders II is enjoyable, but not nearly as good.

 

I enjoy both equally....

 

Even though I like Pretenders II , this is without a doubt, one of the most unfair polls of all times .

If I could only own one, it would be the debut hands down...no contest...

And that's my answer.

 

Just spun this one a few days ago. Clearly my choice, and the dude with the cig is digging it too. I do, however, love the second album and beyond as well.

 

I absolutely love II as it contains some of Chrissie's best songs imho - "The English Roses", "I Go To Sleep", "Talk Of The Town" .... That said, it's got filler as well (good filler, but still) whereas Pretenders is lean, mean, pulsating muscle all the way through, from "Precious" to "Mystery Achievement". Even a "throwaway" track like "Space Invader" continues the thematic sense of menace yet wonder present throughout. It's simply one of the best rock albums ever as an earlier poster stated.

 

Pretenders I followed by II, the rest of their output pales in comparison! UK pressings sound best!

JG

 

I got into both albums in '81 and love 'em almost equally. For this poll I'll give Pretenders I the nod due to the inclusion of extra cool tracks "Private Life" and "Mystery Achievement".

P.S. Learning To Crawl is different of course, but also a great album in its own right!

 

wow I'm the only one so far to vote for Pretenders II. I love both records but side one of Pretenders II was Beatleesque it was so perfect.

 

At least someone is giving it some love in the poll

I had a feeling this wouldn't be close but I'm hoping to find some dedication to II here. I think it is very underrated. And I didn't even think to make an option for both equally

 

Pretenders I is my clear favourite. But if it is 10/10, Pretenders II still is 8.5/10. (Learning To Crawl 9.5, Get Close 6)

 

I take the first one, the main reason being the inclusion of "Precious".

 

I've always wondered what that original line-up would've went on to do. Just fantastic.

 

I know. It's unfortunate what happened. Fortunately Chrissie was able to pick out another great new line-up to record one of their most successful records.

 

The first album is a solid kick in the gut.
The second album is good, but I always thought the singles tower over anything else on it.

The Adultress - good, but slightly shaky opener
Bad Boys Get Spanked - odd, good fun
Message Of Love - classic
I Go To Sleep - classic
Birds Of Paradise -filler
Talk Of The Town - classic
Pack It Up - great riff
Waste Not Want Not - OK reggae attempt
Day After Day - classic
Jealous Dogs - filler
The English Roses - filler
Louie Louie - filler

 

The First one and the Extended Play EP as it has the best songs from II.

 

The first LP. I am a big fan and like them all, but I recall reading an interview years ago with Chrissie Hynde and in talking about getting that second LP out. IIRC, she referring to some of the songs as a bit "smelly".

 

One. Just awesome. I love you Chrissie.

 

I rank them exactly the same way as I rank the cover art of the albums: Pretenders > Pretenders II.

I thought the cover of their second album looked a bit too "artificial" and "contrived" when I got it. It was like a more polished version of the first cover. And I think the same about the music. I still like Pretenders II (especially the singles), but some of the songs sound a bit "forced" to me, and not as powerful and honest as the first album.

 

First one is way, way better

 

No contest, the debut is terrific, the second one your typical good but ultimately flawed follow up. Shame they didn't get another shot....

 

Of these 2 albums I prefer Pretenders I. But my real favorite is Learning To Crawl.

 

Couldn't have said it better.

 

I like the cover picture of II. Best Chrissie Hynde picture ever, imho.

 

Yep...