Pretending is a tribute to The Pretenders, the band initiated and fronted by Chrissie Hynde (lead vocals, rhythm guitar). The face and voice of Pretending, Karen Alvarez in the role of Chrissie, replicates the sound of all of the band's hits from the late 1970s to the mid-1990s. Karen particularly excels with songs from the early catalog, including 'Mystery Achievement' and 'Up the Neck,' but also spans the range to give the more polished later songs like 'Back on the Chain Gang' and 'I'll Stand by You' their full due.