The Pretty Reckless tackle tragedy, deal with death and confront conflict on their fourth album, Death by Rock and Roll.
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The Pretty Reckless dropped their fourth album last night, music driven by misfortune and devastation, but told so beautifully. It has been four years since we last heard from the band, with their last album Who You Selling For. The time between their last album and their recent one has been filled with tragedy. Lead singer Taylor Momsen and the rest of the band were left heartbroken, after the death of rock legend, Chris Cornell and their long-time producer Kato Khandwala.
The album opens with the sound of forceful footsteps and closes with the gentle goodbye of a motorbike fading away. It is an emotional journey. The album deals with some heavy topics, such as the death of a friend and injustice, and at times is sometimes hard to swallow. But it is the truth.
The last tracks of the album ‘Rock and Roll Heaven’ and ‘Harley Darling’ delicately captures the impact a death of a friend has. It is a cry for them to come back, only to be hit with the devastating realisation that you can never have them back. Yet the songs are so beautiful, you feel at peace. There has been some acceptance of the death. ‘Harley Darling’ isn’t the usual sound we hear from the band, with arguable country references, then again neither is ‘Standing at the Wall’. The band has introduced softer songs, that play at your heartstrings in a way we haven’t seen since ‘You’ from the band’s debut album, Light Me Up.
However, this is not the only similarity we can draw from the band’s previous albums. ‘And So It Went’ ends with children chanting the words to the song, along with Momsen, a pleasing acknowledgement of ‘Heaven Knows’ from the band’s second album Going To Hell. The track features an unexpected Tom Morello. His appearance takes the track to new heights and allows Momsen’s vocals to be portrayed in a gentler setting, yet still allows for her to boom.
Similarly to ‘Standing at the Wall’, ‘25’ epically showcases Momsen’s powerful vocals in belts that she has gifted us this album. ‘25’ an autobiographical track, written by Momsen on how she idolised the 27 Club, the impact of rock on her growing up and touches on sexuality. The epic choruses of the song feels like something plucked out of a Bond film and is a fitting tribute to Cornell and a nod to his Bond past. The song leaves you feeling hopeless, with its ominous tones.
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The album takes you full circle, feelings of hopelessness to letting you believe that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It is a documentation of the most difficult times in one’s life. Just as rock has taken so much from Momsen, she pays homage to the genre and admits to it saving her life.
In the past, the band have been heavily criticised for being too mainstream for rock, however maybe this is what makes this album so unique. The album is so raw, with no defiant sound which may confuse and intrigue many. There is a disregard for what people think, which allows the band to be authentic. But for being so mainstream, you will surely have never heard anything like The Pretty Reckless' Death By Rock And Roll before.
4/5
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