Pretenders: Loose in L.A.

This February 2003 concert filmed at L.A.'s Wiltern Theatre serves up a two-hour, 26-song set, with six songs drawn from the Pretenders' 2003 Loose Screw, and the balance comprised of hits and fan favorites from the tragedy-ridden (two original members died of drug overdoses), four-decades-long pop/rock/New Wave band, fronted by former rock critic turned rock goddess Chrissie Hynde (whose sultry vocals are instantly recognizable). The band rocks on "Message of Love," "Talk of the Town," "Time the Avenger," "My City Was Gone," "Back on the Chain Gang," "Don't Get Me Wrong," "Kid," "Precious," "Brass in Pocket," "Middle of the Road," and "Night in My Veins" ("I've got my head on the curb, and I can't produce a word," Hynde warbles--after a wild night--and it's clear she means this in a complimentary sense). On the ballad side, it's hard to beat the chills-producing lovely "I'll Stand By You." Although her working class tough chick/biker girl/rock groupie image ("if you're male and under 40--backstage, after the show") sometimes produces winces, there's little doubt that Hynde is the genuine article. Boasting DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1, and stereo sound options, the disc also includes an 11-minute backstage featurette (Hynde talks about making impromptu spitball earplugs out of ticket stubs at especially loud concerts), a music video for "You Know Who Your Friends Are," and a four-minute concert montage. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)[Blu-ray Review—Nov. 8, 2011—Eagle Rock, 117 min., $19.98—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2003's Pretenders: Loose in L.A. boasts a fine transfer and excellent DTS-HD 5.1 sound, as well as Dolby Digital 5.1 and LPCM stereo options. Extras are identical to the DVD release, including a backstage featurette (11 min.), a music video for “You Know Who Your Friends Are” (4 min.), and a concert montage (4 min.). Bottom line: a kick-butt concert makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]