Does this count as a self-titled record? My dad and I have actually had an argument about that, in similar situations involving band names and really close record titles. I think it does count—it’s so close, and pretty clear that the title is borrowing from the band’s name, or vice versa. He sees things in a little more literal of a light. He says that if it doesn’t match exactly, you can’t call it self-titled.
Personally, I like referring to records as “self-titled.” It just sounds kind of cool, so I’m going to keep on doing it.
This self-titled debut by The Pretenders, assigned to me for this week’s installment of Dad-Rock Tuesday, is not at all what I expected. See, all I’ve ever really heard by the Pretenders is the Guitar Hero II cover of Tattooed Love Boys, which doesn’t do the real version justice, or convey the high degree of frontwoman Chrissie Hynde’s badassery.
It seems like she’s shouting at you for the entire duration of this self-titled album. You, specifically. It’s kind of cool.
The instrumentation is pretty sick, too. Every band member minus Hynde on this self-titled record is originally from the U.K., and it’s a known fact that they play instruments better over there.
Being pleasantly surprised by a piece of music is always nice, especially when it comes on a doubtful Dad Rock Tuesday. On an unrelated note, I just learned that the band’s second record is called Pretenders II. That’s where I draw the line, just in case you were wondering.
Swole Ear 
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