Motivational speaker John C. Maxwell once said Change is inevitable, growth is optional. In the world of Rock and Roll, an artist must embrace change and allow their music to evolve. Case in point, The Pretty Reckless released their fourth studio album this month, Death By Rock And Roll (Fearless Records) and it is glaringly apparent the band is not just embracing change but giving it a big ole bear hug. The twelve-track album is tinged with the ghosts of the tragic events that the band has experienced since their last studio album, 2016’s Who You Selling for (Razor & Tie).  

The first single, ‘Death by Rock and Roll’, with its hard-hitting pulsating beat, delivers all the raw, animalistic musical fun that fans have come to expect. Lyrically, however, there is an underlying poignancy that at times is thinly veiled. The same can be said about the second single, track three,’ So it Went’, featuring an infectious guitar hook supplied by guest star guitar legend Tom Morello. Frontwoman, Taylor Momsen’s vocals are heavily laden with the kind of contemptuous rebellion that could cause a riot to break out at any time.’ 25′, the third single of the album, is a perfect storm of melancholy and bitterness. The bridge is notably succulent, with its airy, almost upbeat tempo, a stark contrast to the darkness of the rest of the song.

Let’s skip to track nine ‘Standing At the Wall’. Now, please do not think that tracks five through eight are not worth mentioning individually, because they are. Track nine is so abundantly profound with lyrics like the first line of the track: “I remember long before the sun refused to shine If I had only known that I was out of time” this track burrows its way into the listeners’ soul. Momsen’s voice paints a picture of deeply personal sadness echoing the loss of intangible things. Vocally, in my opinion, Momsen has never let her soul shine through as much as she did on this track. The sheer power of her voice in the bridge is both overwhelming and haunting.

The 10th track reverts to the aggressive rock and roll formula that put the band on the map. The album wraps up with’ Rock And Roll Heaven’ and ‘Harley Darling’, two songs that show the soft, sensitive underbelly of the band’s songwriting.

In a nutshell, this album is a testament to the fact that these four musicians have reached a level of musical simpatico many bands never achieve. 

Buy the album here: https://deathbyrockandroll.com/

7 / 10 

SKULLGURL METALCHICK