Hate for Sale
The Pretenders · 2020
30 min · 10 tracks · alternative rock
A raw blend of punk energy and melodic rock, encapsulating the band's enduring spirit with biting lyrics and catchy hooks.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hate for Sale Start here — The title track sets the tone with its sharp critique of commercialism, blending punk energy with an infectious chorus that captures the album's rebellious spirit.
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The Buzz — This track combines driving rhythms with a catchy melody, exemplifying the band's knack for balancing lyrical depth with accessible rock sounds.
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Crying in Public — A poignant exploration of vulnerability, this song stands out for its emotional weight and Hynde's evocative storytelling, showcasing her lyrical prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines punk energy with melodic rock, showcasing strong lyrical themes and solid craftsmanship.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving punk rhythm in 'Hate for Sale', setting a high-energy tone that persists through the first half.
- Several tracks feature prominent guitar riffs that are both melodic and aggressive, particularly in 'The Buzz' and 'Lightning Man'.
- The final track, 'Crying in Public', slows down the tempo significantly, providing a reflective conclusion to the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo flow throughout
- sharp lyrical wit and energy
- short bursts of raw emotion
- sing-along moments with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer long, immersive tracks
- seek slower, contemplative music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and relevance in the band's later years.
- Themes
- commercialism critique· punk rebellion spirit
- Career context
- Released in 2020, Hate for Sale is The Pretenders' tenth studio album, marking their first new material since 2016's Alone. This album arrives during a period of renewed creativity for frontwoman Chrissie Hynde, showcasing her ability to fuse classic rock elements with contemporary themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Bangles· Blondie· Siouxsie and the Banshees
Tracklist
- 1 Hate for Sale Start here 2:31
- 2 The Buzz 3:50
- 3 Lightning Man 2:56
- 4 Turf Accountant Daddy 3:05
- 5 You Can’t Hurt a Fool 3:19
- 6 I Didn’t Know When to Stop 2:23
- 7 Maybe Love Is in NYC 3:25
- 8 Junkie Walk 2:44
- 9 Didn’t Want to Be This Lonely 2:56
- 10 Crying in Public 3:17
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Coral Fang
The Distillers
Shares a similar punk energy and rawness with sharp, insightful lyrics about rebellion.
Antisocialites
Alvvays
Combines catchy hooks with themes of disillusionment and critique of modern relationships.
Visions of a Life
Wolf Alice
Blends melodic rock with an edgy texture and explores themes of identity and societal pressures.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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