Pretenders (Expanded Edition) [2006 Remaster]

The Pretenders’ 1980 debut is a remarkable balancing act of punk-inspired rock ’n’ roll and raw emotional power and sincerity. On jacked-up pop songs like “Precious” and “Tattooed Love Boys,” frontwoman/songwriter Chrissie Hynde howls sassy imperatives about love, innocence, and sex like no one before her. Then her gutsy songcraft shows an empathetic and tender side, as songs like “Kid” and “Brass in Pocket” soothe with lyrical sweetness and guitar-pop luster. And the band’s take on the classic Kinks weeper “Stop Your Sobbing” could stop your heart.