Album Review — The Pretty Reckless

The Pretty Reckless — Death By Rock and Roll

I’m going to start off by saying I hadn’t heard much by The Pretty Reckless before listening to their new record, “Death By Rock And Roll”. So I don’t have anything previous of theirs to compare to. I know they have a couple of records out, but I was starting fresh.

The album kicks in with the title track. It’s got a heavy guitar riff and as the songs progresses the vocals get more and more aggressive. Off to a strong start.

Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron of Soundgarden guest on “Only Love Can Save Me Now”. As you might expect, it has a Soundgarden type of feel to it.

Tom Morello guests on “And So It Went” which is another rocker. The guitar solo is vintage Morello and we even get a Pink Floyd-like child choir. Vocalist Taylor Momsen shows some great range vocally but she especially shines on the more aggressive parts.

“25” is the first track I heard from the record and it sounds like it should be the theme for the new James Bond movie. It even has a guitar part running through that almost sounds like the famous Bond theme. I really like this one.

Other highlights include the rockers “My Bones” and “Witches Burn” and the slower “Standing At The Wall” which gives Momsen the opportunity to show off her emotional side.

The album ends with two very different mostly acoustic tracks. “Rock And Roll Heaven” is a celebration of lost rock stars while “Harley Darling” tells the story of personal loss, likely surrounding their former producer who was tragically killed in a motorcycle crash.

Overall, I do like this record. There are a couple of really great tracks and for the most part, I like every song. I’ve listened to the record a few times now and I liked it the first time through and I like it about the same now.

I’m torn between an 85 and a 90, but I’ll go with the 90 on the strength of the standout tracks. It’s definitely worth checking out.

90 out of 100

Track Listing

1. Death By Rock And Roll *
2. Only Love Can Save Me Now (feat. Kim Thayil and Matt Cameron) *
3. And So It Went (feat. Tom Morello) *
4. 25 *
5. My Bones *
6. Got So High
7. Broomsticks
8. Witches Burn *
9. Standing at the Wall *
10. Turning Gold
11. Rock and Roll Heaven
12. Harley Darling

*Best Songs