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Break Up The Concrete

The Pretenders Format: Audio CD
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 137 ratings
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Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Think of this long awaited studio album as if it were the first Pretenders record: musical turf that's defined by attitude, lyrical and melodic mastery, and the unexpected...and Chrissie Hynde's voice as you've always known it. "Break Up The Concrete" is an authentic slice of rock Americana, ranging from blistering punk to the most delicate storytelling as told by the queen of rock royalty herself.

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"Best album of 2008 there isn't a a single bad track on the country-tinged Break Up the Concrete. Chrissie Hynde is as in-your-face as ever but there's a glint of humor here that I don't remember. Also, the best song I heard all year is on this record: "Love's A Mystery." --Stephen King - Entertainment Weekly

Product details

  • Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
  • Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.88 x 5.63 x 0.47 inches; 4.02 ounces
  • Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Artist First
  • Date First Available ‏ : ‎ July 21, 2008
  • Label ‏ : ‎ Artist First
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001CVCB94
  • Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 137 ratings

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
137 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

doggroomer
5.0 out of 5 stars She's Backkkkkk!
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2011
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Back in the late '70's and early '80's, I was a die hard Pretenders fan. Saw them at least 7 times in those early years, including the original band. While I always enjoy listening to any of their recordings, I've found some of the more recent ones, well, lacking, missing the crisp Chrissie Hynde with the venomous bite and brass knuckled punch. I'll admit I stopped listening to new releases.

So watching "Breaking Bad" the other night, and Walter is doing donuts in the parking lot, and the song "Boots of Chinese Plastic" is playing. Me: It sounds like Chrissie Hynde, it sounds like Pretenders, but 20 or 30 years ago....no, it can't be them, but jeez, yeah, sounds like her???

A Google search and a coupla Amazon clicks and now I have this wonderful vinyl package, 2 glorious 10" records PLUS the cd. And it's good - very very good. Chrissie's voice sounds oddly younger, the band is relaxed and tight, the songs are all written by her except for one, (and that one is great). There are a couple/few slower numbers, some is rockabilly infused, totally enjoyable all the way through, BUY THIS, you'll be glad.

Pretenders have their swagger back. I'm sorry I came back late to the party. It won't happen again.
5 people found this helpful
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Brien Comerford
5.0 out of 5 stars This Is Why The Pretenders Are In The Rock Hall Of Fame
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2008
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"Break Up The Concrete" is a flawless and diverse CD that vindicates why Chrissie Hynde and The Pretenders are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Hame. Hynde has always been the heart and soul of this band and her wondrous and versatile vocals resonate with grandeur throughout a CD that includes rock, punk, country, folk and ballads. Her voice can be as forceful as an angry punk icon and as a tender as the most ethereal angel. "Boots Of Chinese Plastic" is a compelling and frenetic hit and the highly emotional and yearning "One Thing Never Changed" is one of the greatest songs in Pretenders' history only to be topped by the endearing and gorgeously sung "Love's A Mystery." When Chrissie Hynde was busy with her vegetarian eatery in Akron, Ohio she also managed to somehow even enhance her sound as the greatest front-woman in Rock and Roll.
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Jef Fazekas
4.0 out of 5 stars This CONCRETE Showcases A Band That's Aging Like A Fine Adobe!
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2008
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When Chrissie Hynde made the comment a few years back that she might be ready to pack it in and retire from the rock scene, well, I was majorly bummed. As more and more of the artists that I've followed over the years seem to be taking longer between releases ~ if they're still recording at all! ~ the world of pop music has become increasingly alien to me.
On top of that, I really liked The Pretenders' last album, 2002's LOOSE SCREW...while I would never say Hynde was mellowing, the disc brilliantly balanced aging with traditional rock spirit and attitude.
Needless to say, I was thrilled earlier this year when Hynde announced that, in fact, she hadn't said everything she wanted to say, and was indeed ready to make another album. The result, the captivating BREAK UP THE CONCRETE, is a welcomed addition to an already sterling catalog. Full of trademark grooves and new, fresh sounds, Hynde dances between energetic rockers and thoughtful mid-tempo ballads. Yes, she's getting older, and she's doing it gracefully, but there's still a lot of fire left in her. But we'll discuss that more later...!
Things kick off with "Boots Of Chinese Plastic", a retro raver that transports us back to 1979. Hynde's vocal is sultry, yet strong, the arrangement whip-smart....I wasn't nuts about this track upon my first few listens, but it has really grown on me.
Much more of an instant hit for me was "The Nothing Maker." A hushed mid-tempo strummer, this beauty has it all...a gorgeous lead vocal, sublime instrumentation and great lyrics ("He doesn't make movies/To suit an audience's whim/He lives by a code/Known only to him/And he doesn't make money/To buy watches and cars/For there's no time and no place to go/For a man who has nothing to show"). One of Hynde's best compositions to date, this is a classic in the making, and would be a great single to boot!
There's a blues-drenched vibe to "Don't Lose Faith In Me" that's absolutely infectious. Channeling her inner Etta James, Hynde delivers a smokingly sexy lead vocal. The whole track has such a classic feel to it that, upon my first listen, I just assumed it was a cover of a lost R&B gem from the early-to-mid 60's. Another big winner!
Not so strong is "Don't Cut Your Hair", a noisy mess. Hynde just comes across as trying too hard on this post-punk rocker, like she's trying to recapture her lost youth/a bygone era, and that is SO not Chrissie Hynde! The country inflections also come across as silly, condescending and phony. The disc's only real dud.
Far better is "Love's A Mystery." Hynde's vocal just soars, wrapping around honest, straight forward lyrics ("Lovers of today/Aren't like lovers of the past/They used to find a way/To get a love affair to last/I saw him leaving/That's all I had to see"). Toss in Eric Heywood's lovely pedal steel guitar and you have a smooth slice of stunning pop perfection.
"The Last Ride" is also strong, anchored by a killer lead vocal, Jim Keltner's ace drumming (Martin Chambers is definitely missed, but you can't get much better than Keltner!) and lead guitarist James Walbourne's turn on piano. Weaving in and out, providing a sturdy, yet shimmering, foundation for the cut, Walbourne's playing is smart, strong, supple and sophisticated. Brilliant!
Another favorite track of mine is "Almost Perfect." With it's minimalist instrumentation and detached lead vocal, there's a sort of dissonance to the cut that just draws you in. The track totally stands out from everything else on the disc, creating it's own wonderful little world (And I REALLY like that little throat-clearing at the end...SO Hynde!).
"You Didn't Have To" is another example of everything perfectly coming together. Hynde's sweet lead vocal, skillful guitars (both electric and acoustic), Heywood's pedal steel and Walbourne's atmospheric accordion (this guy's a keeper!) all blend together to form a track that's equal parts pure and purcolating. Yet another of the disc's high points!
The same can't be said about "Rosalee"; if this were a movie, we would have to say Hynde was miscast. I could see Bonnie Raitt or Melissa Etheridge pulling this blues-rocker off, or maybe even someone as left field as Martha Davis, but it just seems calculated and insincere coming from Hynde. Even the playing feels slightly generic, resulting in one of the disc's few unauthentic moments.
Things rebound with the bouncy title track. Edgy percussion, staccato guitars, distorted backing vocals...they all come together to support Hynde's assured, slightly smirking lead vocal. Toss in some pointedly political lyrics and you have a rarity in pop music today...a song that's fun, but still has something to say!
The album ends on a strong note, with the poignant "One Thing Never Changed." Hynde's vocal is stunning, while the arrangement is understated and economical.
All in all, BREAK UP THE CONCRETE is one of 2008's best albums, and leaves me wanting more from the Pretenders. Here's hoping Chrissie Hynde has been revitalized, and we'll get at least a few more albums out of her before there's any more talk of retirement. Along with such other elder stateswomen of rock and pop as Bonnie Raitt, Carly Simon, Rosanne Cash, Stevie Nicks and Martha Davis, all of whom are currently doing some of the best work of their careers, this a voice that still needs to be heard! (As with all my reviews, I'm giving the disc an extra half a star for including the lyrics).
4 people found this helpful
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John Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars The Pretenders Sing the Blues
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2011
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Chrissie Hynde has an amazing voice and this CD is no exception. I bought the CD for "Break Up The Concrete" after hearing it on an episode of House, and I am so glad I did. My favorites are "Don't Lose Faith In Me" and "Rosalee." I would highly recommend this CD to anyone who likes the Memphis Blues, or who has ever liked the Pretenders. This one is right there with their best.
2 people found this helpful
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Joris Cator
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2020
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A wonderful--or should I say: gorgeous--edition of this somewhat underrated album. Flawless pressing, quiet vinyl, digital copy on CD: couldn't be better.
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Rosemary Brantley
3.0 out of 5 stars HYNDE SITE
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2008
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RETAINING ONLY TWO OF HER MOST RECENT BAND MEMBERS - WALBOURNE
AND HEYWOOD FROM SON VOLT - CHRISSIE BREAKS UP THE CONCRETE
WITHOUT HER TIME KEEPER MARTIN CHAMBERS REPLACING HIM WITH THE
VETERAN DRUMMERS DRUMMER JIM KELTNER.

THE LINE UP BY NATURE PUSHES THE PRETENDERS INTO NEW IF NOT LESS
COMMERCIAL TERRITORY EVOKING MORE BALLADS AND LESS GUITAR
DRIVEN PRETENDER CLASSICS.

SELF PRODUCED THIS RELEASE COMFORTABLY OFFERS ELEVEN TRACKS
OF MORE BASIC MATERIAL WITH ROCK A BILLY AND ALMOST EAGLESQUE
INFLUENCES - CUTTING HYNDE PENNED LYRICS LUCKILY STILL PREVAIL,
INCLUDING REFERRENCES TO MALE APPENDAGES IN ALMOST PERFECT,
THE SAD LOVE LOST TORCH SONG ONE THING NEVER CHANGED AND
PROBABLY THE BEST CUT YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO.

GREAT TRACKS INCLUDE - NOTHING MAKER - LOVES A MYSTERY - &
THE CHAIN GANG INFUZED LAST RIDE THAT ALAS COMES WITHOUT
HOOK.

RECORDED IN LA LESS THAN SIX MONTHS AGO CHRISSIE DELIVERS
FRESH MANNA TO THE FAITHFULL - LACKING IS THAT "NIGHTS IN
MY VEINS" DOGS BOLLOCKS ANTHEM WE HAVE ALL WAITED FOR,

MAKE IT OR BREAK IT, CONCRETE ON A SCALE OF ONE TO TEN,
MIXES IN AT A SOLID SIX - THE MORE YOU LISTEN THE MORE IT
GROWS ON YOU - IT'S A BUY
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Top reviews from other countries

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Paulo rubens magacho lessa
5.0 out of 5 stars Reedição imperdível
Reviewed in Brazil on May 18, 2021
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A reedição especial ficou muito legal: capa recortada, encarte, tudo perfeito!
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Hector Valle
5.0 out of 5 stars Gran disco de Pretenders!!
Reviewed in Mexico on September 19, 2020
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Clásico disco de Pretenders, gran sonido.
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Claude Couillard
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in Canada on July 5, 2018
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very good cd
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IPA
5.0 out of 5 stars やっぱり格好良い！
Reviewed in Japan on June 26, 2014
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う～ん、出だしから格好良い！！とりあえず１枚というのならこれ！！
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gerry60
3.0 out of 5 stars Alles beim Alten
Reviewed in Germany on December 7, 2009
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Nur wenigen Bands, die sich aus den 70er- und 80er Jahren bis heute gehalten haben ist es vergönnt, ihren Status als Top-Act zu konservieren oder gar auszubauen (Beispiele: U2, Depeche Mode usw.). Andere Bands/Musiker aus dieser Zeit wie z.B. Simple Minds, Billy Idol oder eben auch die Pretenders veröffentlichen zwar ebenfalls relativ regelmäßig neue Werke, werden aber weder von Radiosendern noch von der Fachpresse wahrgenommen. Dieses Pretenders-Album ist sicherlich nicht schlechter, aber eben auch nicht besser als die meisten Veröffentlichungen aus den 80ern und wenn man die Parole Stillstand = Rückschritt zugrunde legt, ist das Desinteresse der genannten Medien bis zu einem gewissen Grad durchaus nachvollziehbar. Als Mitglied des "älteren Generation" finde ich es allerdings schon ein bisschen schade, wenn angesehene Musikmagazine dem Leser die Existenz solcher Neuerscheinungen gänzlich vorenthalten. Immerhin schafften es die Pretenders, gewissermaßen durchs Hintertürchen, doch noch in den "Rolling Stone", indem sie "Break up the Concrete" ca. ein halbes Jahr nach der Original-Veröffentlichung einfach als Bonus-CD zu einer neuerlichen, ich weiß nicht wievielten, "Best-Of" Compilation packten und auf diese Weise dem Kritiker zumindest doch noch ein paar wohlwollende Worte entlocken konnten.
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