Learning To Crawl Middle Of The Road Back On The         Chain Gang Time The Avenger Watching The Clothes Show Me Thumbelina My City Was Gone Thin Line Between         Love And Hate I Hurt You 2000 Miles credits releases reviews Creem Magazine 1984 "I'm not the kind I used to be/I've got a kid, I'm 33" is certainly a quotable quote, and whether rock-and-rolling her baby or growling at fat cats, Chrissie Hynde backs it up. It's as if two deaths in the family plus her fruitful union with Ray Davies have convinced her beyond any lingering adolescent doubt that other people are out there; Chrissie the fuck-off queen always had these humanistic attitudes, which is to say that like her mate she hasn't thought them through at all that much, and as a result the impressive songcraft here doesn't bear hard scrutiny. But since unlike her mate she keeps her nostalgia under control, she gets her comeback anyway. (Rating: A-) (Source and date unknown) When the Pretenders stepped on stage at last spring's US Festival, you could almost sense the feeling of relief in everyone present, the band included. The months of pain and turmoil were over, the Pretenders, at long last, were back. With their recent hit single, "Back On The Chain Gang," and a solid new line-up ready to pick up where the original band left off, this group is better than ever. Robbie McIntosh and Malcolm Foster make them tighter than ever, and this album reflects a hard-edged, slashing approach to songwriting which puts their increased facility to good use. Chrissie Hynde's new tunes draw on the blues, sixties influences and tough rock and roll for inspiration and sounds. The first single features "Middle Of The Road" and "2000 Miles." Expect a November/December tour plus an early '84 return trip, new videos for at least two album tracks, a possible MTV concert appearance, in-store displays and considerable radio and TV promotion. It should be a welcome return to the top for this important group.