(Liberator Music)

The songs remain the same … lucky for us!

Firstly, if there’s a more androgynous and sexy 58 year-old woman than Chrissie Hynde, I’ll eat hospital jelly. Apparently ageless, she’s a lean, charismatic presence equally at home in spray-on rock & roll denim and a killer pair of heels. And, naturally, she’s the main focus of this live concert film directed by Pierre and Francois Lamoureux. Her trademark kohl-covered eyelids run with sweat, black lines forming on her face like a female Alice Cooper … and, most importantly, she still has the distinctive vocals to carry off Pretenders classics Message Of Love, Talk Of The Town, Middle Of The Road and more. Original drummer Martin Chambers is the other founding member present, his tough, minimalist style perfect for these timeless blends of punk, rockabilly and power pop. Pedal steel is added to give a country vibe for the likes of Back On The Chain Gang and Don’t Get Me Wrong, but it doesn’t overshadow the originals’ radio-friendly hooks. As bonus tracks, you get Pretenders staples I’ll Stand By You and Brass In Pocket…in fact you get all of the hits bar Hymn For Her. From the tough rumble of Boots Of Chinese Plastic and Tattooed Love Boys to the tender balladry of I Go To Sleep, some 30 years later, the Pretenders sound remains as aggressive, melodic and commercial as ever

***˝

MATT THROWER