Recorded between 1979 & 1986.

This riveting collection of videos covers the group's first decade. Some of the clips are grainy, but the band is very interesting to watch, at least up through "Learning to Crawl," and this is a major augmentation to its albums. ~ Bruce Eder

The Pretenders burst on the scene in the early '80s with one of the most compelling presentations of rock & roll ever seen. This collection, which highlights their A and B sides up until the mid-'80s, shows that Chrissie Hynde and co-conspirators were true masters of the rock single. Tracks such as "Brass in Pocket," "Middle of the Road," and the highly underrated "Message of Love" are spectacularly performed, written, and produced. The early band, especially with James Honeyman-Scott's hook-laden guitar playing, was capable of miracles, and you'll find examples of that on virtually every cut. ~ Matthew Greenwald

While THE SINGLES may misrepresent The Pretenders, concentrating as it does on their jangly, radio friendly material rather than their punkier, proto-Riot Grrrl fare, there isn't a track here that fails to delight. Of course, it helps that Chrissie Hynde is arguably the most emotionally compelling female pop vocalist of the second half of the 20th century. But THE SINGLES also proves something that's too often overlooked--that Hynde is the first distaff rocker whose songwriting can stand comparison with the genre's biggest guns.

High points here are almost too numerous to mention, including the Motown influenced "Don't Get Me Wrong" (which spawned a charming video with Hynde intercut with her idol Patrick Macnee in footage from TV's' "The Avengers,"), the exquisite Christmas song "2000 Miles," the chiming, Byrdish "Talk of the Town," and (best of all) the killer garage rocker "Middle of the Road." There are also some great covers, including two Ray Davies songs, a fun version of Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe" with UB40, and a take on the Persuaders' "Thin Line Between Love and Hate" that allows Hynde to show of her 70s soul roots. Bottom line: Greatest Hits albums don't come any better.