Pirate Radio
Holding the Pretenders'Pirate Radiobox set in your hand, you may be tempted to ask: What took you so long? Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005, the Pretenders' impact on popular music goes without saying, and for a quarter century Chrissie Hynde has remained one of the smartest, sassiest, sexiest, and shaggiest women in rock. So this in-depth collection seems, if not overdue, at least a long time in coming.At 81 tracks,Pirate Radiowill satisfy die-hard fans with more fully remastered big hits and deep cuts than the earlierSinglesandGreatest Hitscompilations, as well as some previously unreleased gems--covers of "Angel of the Morning" and Warren Zevon's "Reconsider Me" are both standouts. The career-spanning live DVD is also a treat, with many performances featuring the original lineup. Add in a 60-page booklet jammed with chronological liner notes and reflections from band members, and you've got a powerful package. What's striking is how coherent this set sounds throughout all four discs, largely due to Hynde's unmistakable voice: From the punk swagger of their immortal 1979 debut to the reggae-informed sounds of 2003'sLoose Screw, and after more personnel changes than Spinal Tap's percussion section, it all sounds like no one other than the Pretenders.--Ben Heege