Customer Reviews

Fidelity!

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First of all, it is important to note that this is not a Pretenders album and should not be approached as such.

I keep on going back and forth with this project like a mad bipolar woman who forgets to take her meds. I really do overreact. Basically because I WANT to LOVE it. I really do. I want to join the majority of my circle of Chrissie-loving friends who think it's an epic masterpiece, possibly the best thing she's ever done, and most of all I want to love it because she has never seemed happier than working with Welsh singer-songwriter JP Jones. Their story is a bittersweet one: with a 27 year age gap, they unexpectedly fell in love, but ultimately broke up due to Jones wanting to start a family, and at 58, Hynde can't give that to him (plus she's been down that road before) so instead they wrote songs for one another and put them on this album, thinking of it as the child they will never have. That alone is enough to make some people cringe.

There's the aspect of their age gap, which, also in itself is enough to make some cringe, but they're both adults, so I'll set that aside. What I'm more concerned about is Chrissie's 30+ year career where she just did not talk about her personal life or the men in it - ask her about it and she'll tell you to eff off, basically. Suddenly, she's not only open about how gaga she is for a man but releases an entire album about it and they publicly seem joined at the hip. I'm no psychology expert, but does anyone else find this 180 a little odd?

But make no mistake, this album isn't about her. It's more about introducing JP Jones. Jones' voice can, in my opinion, be compared to Damien Rice or Glen Hansard (of the Frames, The Swell Season) - in other words, not untalented, just been there, heard that. If you like that kind of music you'll likely enjoy this album, and if not already a fan of Hynde's, she'll probably earn brownie points from you. I'm just finding all aforementioned unfavorable aspects hard to ignore or swallow.

With all that said, onto some of the songs themselves:

Opening track "Perfect Lover" could have been, well...perfect. If Chrissie is going to write a confessional about their relationship, she does a great job here pouring her heart out. "I found my perfect lover, but he's only half my age / He was learning to stand when I was wearing my first wedding band". Unfortunately, at times JP just jumps (seemingly barges) in and it just doesn't sound right. This should have been her song alone. While most are duets, there are tracks on here like that, "Misty Valleys" is CH's and "Leave Me If You Must" JP's.
There are a few great tracks on here: first single and the album's lone rocker "If You Let Me" (I think the vampire video included on the DVD is as cheesy as Twilight, but don't mind me), "Christmas Soon" is another rocker but only available on this deluxe version, mainly containing JP's vocals, in the vein of a Christmas charity single, "Your Fairground" has a wonderful melody; what can I say, it's just a good tune. "Never Drink Again" has quite striking lyrics, and the title track, the proclamation that this project is their "little girl", is catchy, so I try not to think about the cheesiness. The rest...just haven't affected me at all after a few listens. It's definitely not hard on the ears, just underwhelming; the first time Chrissie Hynde has released anything that I feel that way about, which is rather disappointing considering it's received such critical acclaim, and it appears to be both artists' pride and joy.

By all means, they have the right to pursue a band that makes them happy and I would never try to deny that right, but the selfish side of me is praying that this isn't the end of the Pretenders. The last time I saw them, after all, Chrissie ended the show saying "we'll be back". (Artists, it's simple: please don't say that unless you're sure you can keep that promise. Believe me, it DOES get lots of hopes up and breaks hearts).

I have been a fan of Chrissie Hynde and the various incarnations of the Pretenders since day one. I understand this is not the Pretenders and as an artist Hyndes has to experiment and expand her horizons. Hyndes voice is as strong and clear as ever on this collection. This is not the case with her collaborator. For some reason the hostility I feel towards JP is overwhelming. His vocals just irritate me to no end. Listening to Hyndes is always a treat for the ears, but when this hack JP sings it ruins the angelic pipes of Ms. Hyndes. A majority of the tunes have a good melody and are catchy. The problem is we have Ms.Hyndes beautiful God given talent singing in key and giving a heartfelt performance and then you have to hear this Tom Waits wanna be chiming in. It just doesnt work.

Chrissie Hynde is a rock goddess. I think if I saw her in a bar, I'd saunter up to her, too. Which is what happened to JP Jones, a singer of unknown repute until this CD. Seems he and Chrissie had a fling and, once it became apparent that their near 30 year age difference wasn't going to work, they broke it off. But they also decided to make an album about it.

And that album is "Fidelity." It is, believe it or not, the first album Chrissie Hynde has ever released that wasn't under The Pretenders banner. I hate to say this, but it's pretty awful. The soulful, husky voice of Chrissie remains a universal wonder, and when she sings, she still sounds great. JP, on the other hand, has a range of about five notes, and has a problem hitting most of them. When Chrissie opens "Fidelity" with the lament that "I found my perfect lover, but he's only half my age," you can feel that she's still got it as she nears 60. That talent is even more emphasized as soon as JP opens is mouth. He begins interjecting observations into "Perfect Lover" that sound like some joker prank calling the studio and getting caught on-mike.

Which pretty much sums up this album. There are some pretty good songs here just aching to get out ("Your Fairground," "Courage," "Misty Valleys"), but they crash to the dirt every time JP's carny barker donkey-bray hits the speakers. Next to Rufus Wainwright's "All Days are Nights/Songs for Lulu," this album is one of the year's biggest disappointments. Mark JP Jones in your trivia book now.

I will have to get used to the 'blend' of this fairground marriage. Yet you can tell they are in love. Chrissie Hynde's voice still melts my heart, but JP doesn't match up in my opinion.

I was surprised to see this only have an overall three star review. As stated by so many others, this is not the Pretenders. My question is, why not judge it on it's own merit instead of trying to contrast it with the Pretenders catalog? The songs are good and Chrissie Hynde still has one of the most magical voices in rock. Many of the complaints seem to be with album partner JP Jones. While I would be perfectly content with just Chrissie singing, I don't think JP detracts from the material. His voice is not as bad as many make it out to be and I think they sing well together. They obviously enjoy working and being together and it comes through in the music. Give this one a try or at least listen to the samples. It's Chrissie Hynde...it's hard to go wrong.

I admit I waited to the Borders closing sale to take a chance on this. After all, a solo project with a boyfriend could suck. To my surprise I love this record. As opposed to love songs, these are songs that rock that just happen to be about love. It's a smidgen more relaxed and loose than a Pretenders album, but not much. And for Pretenders fans, there are Pretenders-like touches all over the production. Honestly, I don't get why Pretenders fans are so harsh on this record. I am absolutely satisfied.

I loved the Pretenders and this album was okay but I have not listened to it again after my first listen. A bit of a disappointment from Chrissie.

OK, the 3 star average for this album doesn't look too good, so you're not going to buy this album. There are 3 star albums that are not worth buying. This album is not one of them. Here are 10 reasons why:

1) Most rockers after X amount of albums don't have anything interesting left to write about. There is a (personal) story behind this album that makes it gratifying, and adds another dimension to the album.

2) JP's voice is not as bad as some here let on. To me, the contrast between Chrissie's and JP's voices, and the interplay in the singing is what helps to make the album interesting.

3) Musically, the band sounds like they have been playing together for more than a single album.

4) There is one song on the album that stands out from the rest to me (Your Fairground). That song alone makes the album worth buying, although there are other good songs on the album as well.

5) The album is cohesive from start to finish, for the most part. The only song that seems a bit out of place to me, ironically enough, is the title track (Fidelity!), which comes at the end of the album.

6) Based on some reviews, I was expecting there to be some great incongruity between this album, and Chrissie with the Pretenders. To me, this album sits right alongside any other album with Chrissie, just fine. It's the same Chrissie, vocally, lyrically, and otherwise.

7) It's not a downer album. People are happy. What's not to like about that?

8) If one thing sums up this album, "but if you try sometimes, you get what you need..."

9) If anyone has the chance to go see the band in concert, go do it. They are playing at smaller venues, and it will be a once in a lifetime chance. I wish I could go see them in concert, but probably won't get the chance.

10) Go Akron. 'Nuff said.

Providential life circumstances have allowed me to hear this record (and it is truly a "record," a slice of time in the lives of its creators) as it stands alone from the body of work that Chrissie Hynde has created with The Pretenders. It is neither fair nor necessary to compare it to either her or JP Jones' earlier work, so I won't do that.

The writing on the record is deeply honest. These songs were not crafted as four-minute radio-friendly ditties, they were born of emotion ~ angst, hope, and love, all swirled around with momentary flashes of clarity. Nothing is permanently resolved, questions are left hanging. It is life, recorded.

I love the interplay of JP and Chrissie's voices. On "Fairgound Luck" the way that JP's voice begins the song and then Chrissie's comes in is beautiful (How wonderful it has been to hear it live!). The interplay between the two voices is perfect. The Fairgound Boys playing is sublime. I particularly like Patrick Murdoch's guitar. Listen carefully, he is quite a virtuoso!

Two favourite songs on the record (right now) are "Courage" and "Leave Me If You Must." I can not imagine anybody not liking JP's voice on "Courage," it soars! As somebody who has spent years immersed in Leonard Cohen's songs, I was immediately taken with "Leave Me If You Must." JP's inflection subtly changes through the song, lending much more meaning than the words convey. The jaunty music behind the heady words is magical.

Those lead into "Meanwhile," perhaps one of the saddest songs on the record. Chrissie's lament is both hopeful and resigned at the same time, "it's tragic and comic to the last letter."

I encourage folks to give this amazing record a chance. Hear it with fresh ears. Don't compare it to The Pretenders, don't try to categorize it into a genre. Put on headphones, sit back and let it soak in. It's worth the effort to let go of any preconceived thoughts and just hear the music. Enjoy!

Love the Chrissie voice and think they are quite bold to do this album ("courage, love"). It is off the beaten path and good for them. Misty Valley and Sam Sparks, rock. Been a long time since the piano playing has aced a song for me! You guys make a pair of great musicians. Let's hear more, soon!