Viva El Amor

Following a five-year silence after 1994's LAST OF THE INDEPENDENTS, the Pretenders-- more accurately frontwoman Chrissie Hynde and drummer Martin Chambers--returned in 1999 with VIVA EL AMOR, a vigorous and rock-hard return of one of the greatest bands to ever stumble out of London's punk scene in the late '70s. Hynde, who married Columbian sculptor Lucho Brieva before recording the album, reflects a decidedly romantic bent with the album title ("Long Live Love"), languid, honeyed ballads like "From the Heart Down", and erotic, black-leather rockers like "Biker".
Formidable guitarist Adam Seymour plays stinging solos on tracks like "Baby's Breath" and Hynde's harrowing, Janis Joplin tribute "One More Time". Of all of the guitarists the Pretenders have used since their second album, he might come closest to the much-missed raucous elegance of the late James Honeyman-Scott. The ebullient, hook-happy "Human", which features singer/songwriter Jules Shear on backing vocals, isn't penned by Hynde but captures the joyous essence of her brilliant pop side. Other standout tracks include the "Precious"-reminiscent rocker "Legalize Me", featuring a guest solo from guitarist Jeff Beck, and the lyrically cynical, but sweet-sounding jangle of "Who's Who". The constructivist-style cover photograph was shot by Linda McCartney just weeks before she died.|