And that’s a good thing, since outside of her iconic voice, this is the least Pretenders-sounding album since Get Close. Like that album, the focus this time is on pop, but in more of the ‘60s retro-soul slash Bacharach mode as revived lately by the likes of Mark Ronson. Most of that can be laid on producer Bjorn Yttling, supposedly a wunderkind of Swedish pop. The sound isn’t so much striking as it is repetitive. Every now and then there’s a departure, such as Neil Young’s trademark contribution to “Down The Wrong Way”; John McEnroe apparently offers the same for “A Plan Too Far”. “Tourniquet (Cynthia Ann)” takes an almost goth turn, while “You’re The One” has a hook that recalls Britney Spears’ “Toxic”.
So Stockholm is acceptable, but we suspect we’d prefer the straight rock approach to these lyrics. Seeing as they’re split between pining for someone or damning their insensitivity, we wonder whether anyone in particular inspired them. Her previous collaborator perhaps?
Chrissie Hynde Stockholm (2014)—3
This album reminds me more of “Loose Screw” because it also has a very polished sound, but it isn’t overproduced. Perhaps the guitars are too buried in some of the songs for this to be called a Pretenders album, per se, but I still think it could be.
ReplyDeleteMy favorites are the opening and closing tracks. "You or No One" is a gorgeous 21st century take on the Phil Spector girl group sound. “Adding the Blue” has great lyrics and a beautiful melody. "Dark Sunglasses" and "A Plan Too Far" have good grooves going that could very suit the Pretenders. “Tourniquet” is supposed to be based on a real incident. It has her most disturbing set of lyrics since “977” or “Tattooed Love Boys” “Down the Wrong Way", of course, is the most Pretenders-ish song, both lyrically and musically. (The band would revive it live for their next tour). The reference to the “fairground ride” does indeed give a clue to whom some these songs are about!
Pop isn’t a bad thing. Chrissie’s voice is a great as ever. Again, not a bad song, lyrically or melodically in the bunch. It shouldn’t be dismissed by Pretenders fans just because it doesn’t have the Pretenders label.