The Pretty Things (album)

The Pretty Things is the self-titled debut album by the English rock band Pretty Things. Released in 1965 in alternate track listings in the United Kingdom and United States, the album demonstrated the band's raw, loud sound, influenced by American rock and roll musician Bo Diddley.

Recording
Fontana Records booked two days worth of recording sessions with Pretty Things for their debut album. 30 minutes into the first recording session, the original producer, Jack Baverstock, the head of the label, quit over the band's behavior and alcoholism, and was subsequently replaced by the more sympathetic Bobby Graham in order to salvage the sessions.

Composition
The band's playing was noted for being exceptionally loud for the time period, with their performance on "Road Runner" being described as being "about as raw and loud as British rock & roll ever got up to that time" by AllMusic. The final three minutes of "Mama, Keep Your Big Mouth Shut" is composed of feedback and distortion held together by a repeated bass guitar rhythm; the use of such elements was considered unusual for the time.

A third of the album's compositions were written by American blues and rock and roll musician Bo Diddley, and the rest of the album's performances were inspired by his works, with AllMusic saying that the band's cover of Chuck Berry's "Oh, Baby Doll" sounded like it was performed in Bo Diddley's style. "13 Chester Street", a homage to a house that Pretty Things shared with the Rolling Stones' Brian Jones, is musically a cross between the Stones and a lead influenced by Slim Harpo. The album includes a cover of "Pretty Thing", written by Willie Dixon, which the band was named after.

Release
The album was released in 1965 with alternate track listings in the United Kingdom and United States. The US version included the singles "Rosalyn" and Don't Bring Me Down", both of which were covered by self-professed fan of the band David Bowie on his 1973 album Pin Ups. In 2023, all 13 of the band's studio albums (with The Pretty Things being in its UK version) were released in a box set under the title The Complete Studio Albums 1965-2020.

Reception
The album reached number six and spent 10 weeks on the UK Albums Chart in 1965. AllMusic said that the album's raw sound paved the way for garage rock bands like MC5. In a review of The Complete Studio Albums 1965-2020, Mojo said that "May’s lusty Road Runner was a calling card, but the remainder of their self-titled 1965 debut lacks sizzle."

Track listing

 * UK version


 * US version

Personnel

 * The Pretty Things
 * Phil May – lead vocals
 * Dick Taylor – lead guitar
 * Brian Pendleton – rhythm guitar, backing vocals
 * John Stax – bass guitar, harmonica, backing vocals
 * Viv Prince – drums
 * Bobby Graham – drums