The Pretenders are back and have recently announced that they will release downloads of their new album via download at no charge!. The veteran rockers' first album in over six years is named 'Break Up The Concrete' and will be released in the US on October 7 from Shangri-La Music (order your cd copy from MNN, HERE). But, available now, the label is releasing, a free track each week on different e-stores up until the album's release. The first song is named 'Boots Of Chinese Plastic', and is available through AOL's Spinner.com. In following weeks, you can find out where to download the next free MP3 by visiting The Pretenders' website. e-shops included are Apple QuickTime's site, ClearChannel.com, CMT.com, iLike, iMeem, MP3.com/Download.com, MSN Windows Media, Vh1 Classic, Yahoo and CBS Radio Online. No song list has yet been released, but since there
are eleven online outlets participating in the next couple of months, speculation is that there are at least eleven tracks. Some details about the cd have been released, such as the fact that it was recorded in just 10 days and it's back to their roots music. Ohio, USA native, Chrissie Hynde, the only original Pretender remainig in this new line-up, does the vocals, with James Walbourne on guitar, Eric Heywood on pedal steel, Nick Wilkinson on bass and renowned drummer Jim Keltner . However, founding drummer Martin Chambers will be back in the fold for the next Pretenders show on July 30 in London, according to a spokesperson. Concrete is the first Pretenders album since 2002's "Loose Screw," which was released by Artemis Records. In 2005, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. More recently, a comprehensive reissue series of vintage Pretenders albums has been put out by Rhino Records.
UPDATE- 10/3/08 - The new cd, Break Up the Concrete, will have a limited run of ecologically-friendly packaging with handmade seed paper on the October 7 release date. This paper can be planted and, with care, should sprout in 1 to 4 weeks. The paper used on this plantable run, and the paper for subsequent non-plantable runs of the CD and vinyl configuration, has all been certified by the FSC, an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization started to promote the responsible management of the world's forests. The vinyl version of the album, released on September 23, is two 10" discs with a gatefold, die-cut to shape and debossed with concrete texture with a full Album CD in Mini Jacket. This is no surprise if you have followed the career of the Pretenders frontwoman Chrissie Hynde. She has been a leader in ecological issues and humane treatment of animals.
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