The Pretenders have had a long and music perfect career that has spanned, thus far, 25 years and eight studio albums. With a changing lineup and a wide range of singles, Chrissie Hynde and company have managed to remain a viable entity within the ever changing rock environment.

The strength of the band lie in the ability to change and yet maintain the heart of their musical underpinnings. Many bands have tried to reinvent themselves to allow the room for experimentation yet retain their fan base. However, the road is strewn with those tinkerers. Some make it back but most wither. The Pretenders, especially with this album, their first since 1999's "Viva El Amor!", have introduced a new and fresh approach to their recognizeable sound.

Infused with reggae influence, "Loose Screw" provides 12 tunes that showcase the talents of the band. With the kick off song, the pure Pretenders sounding "Lie To Me", the album draws you in and then once you're on board, deliberately and smartly introduces you to their new flavours. Followed by the sultry and cool "Time", Hynde showcases a high range of vocal ability, smooth and lifting while the bandmates pace the song.

Slithering deeper into the fusion of reggae, "You Know Who Your Friends Are", is a signature piece that details just how expansive the band can become if given the chance. And they're good at it. The lead guitar lines of longtime guitarist/collaborator, Adam Seymour, smoke when given the space. The drumming of original timekeeper Martin Chambers is spare but works well, as always. The bass of Andy Hobson works the new styles with skill.

With the single, "Complex Person", representing the pearls on Loose Screw, the song explores the reggae tint even more than the previous selections. But not all the songs slither in Rastafarian sway. "Fools Must Die" is an out and out punk song that could have fit on any of their albums from the 80s. And not all the songs are great either. The after-thought of "Clean Up Woman" is readily apparent and as weak a track as could have been placed on this album of otherwise strong offerings.

The frailty of "Clean Up Woman", however, is swept away by the melodically spacious "The Losing" and the beautiful "Saving Grace", my pick for the band's next single. "Saving Grace" is a perfect bridge between eras, old Pretenders and new. It possesses a radio friendly melody and is transient enough to make the walk with the band as it moves progressively forward.

There is an interesting song on this disc where Chrissie sounds as if she is preparing for a career in pop music and is found on "Nothing Breaks Like a Heart". It's a good song but is a curious addition. With a sultry voice, Chrissie sounds as soulful as Top 40 can get . Regardless, it's still a good song and decidedly better than "Clean Up Woman".

The disc provides a 12 page fold out insert that supplies all the lyrics of this set and includes photos of the band.

The heart of the Pretenders still beats on this release. It beats a little slower in places but is very healthy and indicates more great Pretenders songs to come. This disc is a highly recommended acquisition as it proudly positions itself into the Pretenders catalogue.

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Pretenders
Loose Screw

Released: November 08, 2002
Origination Year: 2002
Time: 42:42
Tracks: 12
Produced by: Kevin Bacon & Jonathan Quarmby
Engineered by: Kevin Bacon & Jonathan Quarmby
Mastered by: Ian Cooper at Metropolis Studios, London
Style: Studio
Format: CD
Enhancement: None
Label: Artemis Records
Website:
www.pretendersband.com

Lie To Me
Time
You Know Who Your Friends Are
Complex Person
Fools Must Die
Kinda Nice, I Like It
Nothing Breaks Like A Heart
I Should Of
Clean Up Woman
The Losing
Saving Grace
Walk Like A Panther