"Pretenders II" is the second studio album by British-American rock band The Pretenders. It was released on 15 August 1981 through Sire Records. Much like their self-titled debut album, "Pretenders II" was a commercial and critical success, climbing swiftly up the charts globally.
The album comprises a mix of original songs and cover versions, showcasing the band's versatility across various rock sub-genres. Some of its notable singles include "Talk of the Town", "Message of Love," and "Day After Day." Chrissie Hynde, the band's lead vocalist, continued to exhibit her knack for songwriting throughout this album.
"Pretenders II" could be seen as a continuation of the musical style and lyrical themes from the band's debut album. However, it also showed some progress, projecting a more polished and less aggressive sound. Commendably, the album's raw energy coupled with thoughtful lyrics continued to convey the distinctive mix of toughness and vulnerability that the band was known for.
The lineup for this album included Chrissie Hynde (vocals, rhythm guitar), Martin Chambers (drums, vocals), Pete Farndon (bass guitar, vocals), and James Honeyman-Scott (lead guitar, keyboards, vocals). Tragically, this was the last album to feature the band's original lineup as Farndon was fired in June 1982 due to drug issues, and Honeyman-Scott died of a cocaine-induced heart attack a few days later, making this album a poignant part of Pretenders' discography.
