Chrissie Hynde and the Pretenders have produced a song cycle that's easy to tap into if you've ever had a relationship go bad and finally figured out that you're actually okay! Chrissie Hynde has never sounded better--in fact, she's much like one of her own musical heroes--Emmylou Harris--and a bottle of fine wine; the older she gets, the more her talent evolves. True, she's not lashing out in an angry way like "Tattooed Love Boys" or "Pack It Up" from the early days, but she's still got a seductive prowl about her, and you can't deny that hers is a voice that simply commands you to attention.
I've loved the band since their infamous debut, and it's nice to see Chrissie's vision still playing out in a well-balanced set of songs.

Seldom do you hear an artist admit their faults, but Chrissie Hynde boldly puts any masks or defenses aside to get to her issues on "Loose Screw". What's more, Hynde and band decided to go with a slight reggae feel to this cd. This choice has an interesting effect of offsetting the sometimes brutally honest lyrics. What sums up this cd is a light and airy feel with cynical and sometimes sarcastic looks at relationships and love. I don't know how many failed relationships Ms. Hynde has had, but to document her most recent failure is a testament to her courage to self-analysis in the public eye. Instead of going to therapy, Ms. Hynde goes into the recording studio. Key tracks: "Lie To Me", "Complex Person", "Fools Must Die", "Kinda Nice, I Like It", "I Should Of" and "Clean Up Woman".

...since I listened to the Pretenders. They sort of faded out for me in the late 80's, and I didn't care for their 90's stuff, even "Stand by You." Well, it looks like I came back at the right time. "Loose Screw" isn't the same sound they had in the early 80's, but that's not a bad thing. The band has managed to reinvent themselves without [fouling] up what they already had - namely Chrissie Hynde's powerful vocals and their ability to rock like few of today's sorry acts can. "Loose Screw" is the kind of Rock n' Roll that everyone else seems afraid of these days. It warms my heart to see the old guard showing the young turks how it's done. This album rocks.

Those familiar with Chrissie Hynde's career as a trendsetting rock & roller will find "Loose Screw", The Pretenders new album on Artemis Records, another deft chapter in the history of essential rock music. From the opening bars of "Lie To Me" to the close of "Walk Like A Panther", it's clear that that Chrissie Hynde is making a definitive statement on the state of modern life without sacrificing her sharply honed lyrical observation and customary sense of humor.

The new album also marks the first time that a majority of Hynde penned songs are a collaberation between Hynde and lead guitarist Adam Seymour. "I think it's very fulfilling to write a song alone....,
then on the other hand collaborating can be really fun and I want to have fum when I do this stuff". On the new album, Chrissie and Seymour co-wrote "Lie To Me", "Time" "You Know Who Your Friends Are", "Complex Person", "Fools Must Die", "Kinda Nice, I Like It", "I Should Of", "Clean Up Woman" and "The Losing".

"Loose Screw" represents a further step in Chrissie Hynde's 25 year plus evolution. She is as she always has been, unapologetic, provocative, a great vocalist and a great songwriter.

In the last number of years, The Pretenders have opened for Neil Young, The B-52's, UB40 and The Rolling Stones. The time spent on the road is continuing to pay dividends as the quality of play on "Loose Screw" will attest.

What you have here is stifled emotion, broken promises, betrayal and in the end (Just listen to "Walk Like A Panther ~ you'll get the idea) complete victory. This is 2002's most pitiless and passionate disc; a personal triumph for Chrissie Hynde and completely worth the wait.

With over twenty years plus since the debut Pretenders album, Chrissie Hynde proves on "Loose Screw" that she still has the same drive and fire that made the original Pretender records sound so vital and compelling.

It's difficult to single out highlights on "Loose Screw" because just about every song brims with tunefulness coupled with Hynde's trademark biting and insightful lyrics. The only non-original track, " Walk Like A Pather" seamlessly fits in with Hynde's own songs of bitter heartache and breaking up, the recurring theme through out "Loose Screw". Maybe not everybody's cup of tea, but Hynde, as always, is peerless at handling this type of material with her usual aplomb and grace.

If you've enjoyed the later Pretenders efforts, from "Last Of The Independents" onward, "Loose Screw" will be welcome and rewarding addition to your collection. If you think "Learning To Crawl" was the last good Pretenders record, you are missing out on some terrific new music from one of the best singer/songwriters in the history of rock music.

lr** Feb 23,2003.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.