Last of the Independents ［2CD+DVD］

Chrissie Hynde rebounds from the directionless Packed! with Last of the Independents, a tough album that proves she can mature without losing her edge. Most of the record crackles with the lean power of Learning to Crawl, occasionally stopping for a lushly produced number recalling Get Close. Although the record goes on a little too long and there are a couple of weak songs, particularly the anthemic "I'm a Mother," Last of the Independents reestablishes Hynde as a powerful and insightful rocker. [Edsel's 2015 reissue of 1994's Last of the Independents expands the album by a full CD and a full DVD. The DVD contains promo videos for "I'll Stand by You" and "Night in My Veins," along with seven other live BBC appearances from 1994, including spots on Top of the Pops and Later. The CD rounds up assorted B-sides and stray tracks, including covers that popped up on soundtracks for Indecent Proposal, Boys on the Side, and Friends, plus five live cuts.] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine|