Death by Rock and Roll - A Review by Dave Christy

​Welcome to our Thursday Music Feature! This week Dave is reviewing Death By Rock And Roll - The latest album from The Pretty Reckless, and Susan shares a few thoughts too!

Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments!

Dave - 

Taylor Momsen boarded her rocketship to stardom at a young age as an actress. One of her early roles that had a key experience for her was playing Cindy Lou Who in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". 
​It would be the first time she was in a recording studio. It must have had a profound effect as she went on to form The Pretty Reckless, releasing their first CD "Light Me Up" in 2010. The EP "Hit Me Like a Man" showed a little more diversity before reverting back to form for the 2nd full length CD "Going to Hell" Their 3rd release "Who You Selling For?" would bring out a little more experimenting in the direction the band is taking. But that was then. This is now. Its 2021 and time for their 4th release, "Death By Rock and Roll".

The first single and lead off track to kick off the record and set the mood, igniting the flame inside your heart is the title track "Death by Rock and Roll". The thumping drums pounding in your head, echoing the by immortal line --
"But on my tombstone when I go, just put Death by Rock and Roll". It’s sure to be an instant classic anthem in the world that desperately needs something to get their hearts pumping again.

​The second single is "25". It’s a little different than what we usually hear from Taylor and the gang. The raw emotion courses through the entire song. Her voice shines more than it ever has. She has come a long way. This record and this song in particular really lays it all on the line.

"And So it Went" is the 3rd single from the record and features Tom Morello. As much as I love the previous 2 songs, this one is my favorite so far. The guitar riff shreds, the drum beat pounding through, and Taylor's vocals showering over you:

"They said the world does not belong to you
You are not the king I am not the fool
I said the world does not belong to you
It don't belong to you
It belongs to me"
 
"Everyone is crying out I can hear them scream
With all these eyes upon us but no one seem to see
That you and me are just the same as God meant it to be
But you're much too close to me
You're much too close to me"

The video features Taylor in a pink suit and a crown.
​What more can you ask for?

Matt Cameron and Kim Thayil contribute to "Only Love Can Save Me Now". You can definitely hear the Soundgarden influence. Around Halloween, they released a short, 40 second tune "Broomsticks". I wasn't really where that was coming from but here we see it serves as a sort of intro to the song "Witches Burn". They strip things down a bit for a couple of simpler, acoustic songs- "Got So High" and "Standing at the Wall". That's one thing the band has always been able to pull off. They have several radio station appearances and have done acoustic versions of their songs. They don't just do the slower ones that are more accustomed to an acoustic performance, they do some heavier songs too. "Rock and Roll Heaven" is an absolute masterpiece. It hits on the chord of the rock and roll lifestyle, trying to make it to 27 years old, where some have died. I am absolutely loving this song!!!!  

"In rock and roll heaven, the great gig in the sky
Gotta make it to twenty-seven before I die, I
In rock and roll heaven, couldn't get more high
Gotta take what you've been given and just fly"

This record really shows all Taylor has went through in the last few years. She has just played her last show with Chris Cornell and found out about his death the next morning. Those wounds cut deep. You can see in this emotional cover of "Like a Stone" as she breaks down at the end. 

The Pretty Reckless have given us 12 stellar tracks. They have grown and went through some musical changes and progressions but that’s what it’s all about. I don't want to hear the same record released every couple of years.

​​​Dave Christy loves horror, music, documentaries and more.  He is also the co-runner of several fan based groups including Morningstars (THE Lucifer fan group also run by Melanie), and now is a member of the VIPers Spotlight Lounge team for Melanie's Muses.  Other than "In The Spotlight" Features -check out his "31 Days Of Halloween Movies"

Susan says - 

25 from The Pretty Reckless was one of my top songs of 2020 and is defiantly my fave song on the album. 
I can hear the influence of the late, great, Chris Cornell so much on this album. Taylor has one of the best voices in the business, that tone and range spine tingling. 

Stand out tracks for me: Only Love Can Save Me Now, 25, My Bones, Witches Burn, & Rock and Roll Heaven

My Fave Lyric on the Album comes from Rock and Roll Heaven
"Well I learned a long, long time ago
That life is like a song
And the music goes on playing
Even after you are gone"

​Susan Harris is a writer from Cork, Ireland and when she’s not torturing her readers with heart-wrenching plot twists or killer cliffhangers, she’s probably getting some new book related ink, binging her latest TV or music obsession, or with her nose in a book. She is a proud founding Member of the Muser VIPers and is responsible for Melanie not breaking the Website on an almost daily basis!

You can check out all her books on Amazon HERE

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