Edited by Brett Buchanan
Rock and roll is on the move again. With many bands from previous decades going back on tour, and many new artists adapting older styles from them, it is hard for anyone to state that rock is “dead.” One of the newer bands fighting to keep rock alive is The Pretty Reckless.
Taylor Momsen, formerly an actress, grew up with an intense passion for music. She started writing songs at a very young age, and as she got older realized she would prefer to pursue a career in music rather than acting. Luckily for rock fans, she did.
In 2010, The Pretty Reckless put out their first album, Light Me Up. Momsen had just turned 17. The album relayed messages about youthful angst and heartbreak, being very relatable for young fans. 2014’s Going to Hell had a much darker and edgier side to it. The tracks had more ambiguous meanings, as Momsen had said that she wanted fans to be able to relate to the songs in their own personal way rather than just having one concrete message. The ruggedness of the band’s second album made it very clear to the world that they were shifting their direction more towards stripped down, in-your-face rock and roll.
Their new classic rock sounding single “Take Me Down” was just released on July 15th. With the anticipation for their third studio album in the near future, it is important to acknowledge the elements of this band that make them so unique.
First and foremost, the “frontman” is really a frontwoman. There have only been a handful of female-fronted rock bands in the past decade to successfully claim a seat in this side of the music business.
Secondly, Momsen’s voice is unique. Unlike most female artists currently dominating the industry, her range is not the only asset she has. The roughness and rasp in her deep voice are enough to deliver her messages and still sound great at the same time – she does not need to hit the highest note possible for the song to stand out. However, that is not to say that she does not have good range and cannot hit those notes.
Lastly, Ben Philips, Mark Damon, and Jamie Perkins are an absolute powerhouse. They can go from making a song sound soft and sweet to ballistic and energetic. The three of them work together to keep Momsen’s vocals in check and her lyrics relevant.
All in all, this band has an obviously insatiable love for rock and roll. They are in the fight to keep rock alive and their contribution is admirable. Check out their new single, “Take Me Down” to see for yourself.
