ALBUM REVIEW ~ THE PRETTY RECKLESS ~ 'DEATH BY ROCK AND ROLL'

If you know anything about The Pretty Reckless, they don’t take things pretty. From the opening chords of their new album Death By Rock and Roll, you know this album means business. It is slam in your face raw guitar and no holds barred lyrics. No tip-toeing around it. “But on my tombstone, when I go/ Just put ‘Death by Rock and Roll’” Lead singer Taylor Momsen has a voice that that backs up the power the music brings, giving that opening punch it’s driving force.

The best part of the new album, is that it doesn’t end with that first song. That power punch keeps going throughout the entire album. The haunting melody in “25” beautifully builds in each verse, to a powerful chorus. The contrast in the intensity adds to the power the melody already wrapped the listener in. I am not surprised that this was one of the first releases.

“Rock and Roll Heaven” is a pleasant surprise towards the end of the album, and I would be remiss to not mention it. Throughout the album, I thought I heard a throwback to some old school rock, but I wondered if it was just me. Then this song came on, and there’s no doubt about it. This song is an anthem to the the legends that inspired them. Taylor sings of “Freedom found me/when I first heard The Beatles sing…I stole my daddy’s vinyl/I burned that needle out/ Jimmy, Janet and Morrison/ a garden full of sound” Then follow that up with the chorus: “Rock and Roll Heaven/ The Great Gig in the Sky/ Gotta make it to 27 before I die…” This is an anthem to all of us who love the music that got us through all those tough times we had growing up, and today. I too, stole my daddy’s vinyl, and the Beatles were such a fixture in my childhood, I was even named after a Beatles song. I can’t forget to mention the blues tinged feel of the music accompanying this track. This song just brought it all to the table.

After 12 years of bringing their hard hitting blend of rock to the stage, The Pretty Reckless have presented one of their best albums to the fans. I am sure with the potential that seems to be yet unseen, there is more to come!

I’m Music Magazine Photographer/Writer Michele Hancock