Album of the Day

If the previous Pretenders album was marked by change, GET CLOSE was even more so; by the end, Chrissie Hynde was the only original member left standing (though drummer Martin Chambers plays on the closing Hendrix cover). Robbie McIntosh is back on guitar from LEARNING TO CRAWL and is joined by session aces including Carlos Alomar and Bernie Worrell, whose presence no doubt added the funk flavor heard in a couple of places here. But it’s Hynde’s magnificent voice and songwriting chops that shine across this 1986 collection, with “My Baby” and “Don't Get Me Wrong” deservedly topping the Mainstream Rock chart and power ballad “Hymn to Her” another strong single. The Gold-certified GET CLOSE remains a highlight of the Pretenders' catalog.