The Pretty Reckless - ‘Going To Hell’ Album Review

The Pretty Reckless - ‘Going To Hell’ Album Review

Tracklist

1.  Follow Me Down
2. Going To Hell
3.  Heaven Knows
4. House on a Hill
5. Sweet Things
6. Dear Sister
7. Absolution
8. Blame Me
9. Burn
10.  Why’d You Bring a Shotgun to the Party
11.  Fucked Up World
12. Waiting for a Friend

Four years ago, The Pretty Reckless released their debut album Light Me Up which embodied vocalist Taylor Momsen’s hair-raising transformation of ‘good girl gone bad’ and split rock fans into lovers or haters of the band. Now the New York four-piece are at it again with Going to Hell, an album that’s gritty, hard-hitting and as beautiful as its cover.

The album opens with the sound of heavy rainfall and the erotic moans of a woman – as you’d expect from TPR – before exploding into a sex-fuelled storm of southern-blues rock. The feistiness continues into title track ‘Going to Hell,’ another fast-paced, bass-heavy belter which, coupled with Momsen’s drawling tongue, is the classic sound of The Pretty Reckless that’s worked so well in the past and is genius in its ability to embody the flavour of the entire album: religion, damnation and an indifference to consequences. ‘Heaven Knows’ was the first track released from the album and is a song made entirely for a live audience – with a chorus of children chanting repeatedly of condemnation and  powerful performances from lead guitarist Ben Phillips and drummer Jamie Perkins in conjunction with too much clapping and stomping, one can only imagine the angst-filled atmosphere ‘Heaven Knows’ would create.

‘House on a Hill,’ ‘Dear Sister’ and ‘Burn’ are pleasant breaks from the album’s ostentatious and loud-mouthed front. ‘House on a Hill’ is in the style of a classic ballad with violins and a big finale, whereas ‘Dear Sister’ and ‘Burn’ are short, sweet lullabies as bare as Taylor Momsen usually is. These impressive tracks show a softer side of The Pretty Reckless and expresses Momsen’s incredible vocal range whilst still retaining her trademark cigarette-stained twang.

Heavier tracks throughout consist of ‘Sweet Things,’ which throws a male vocalist into the mix and transcends from melodic and sweet to metal-style screams, and ‘Why’d You Bring a Shotgun to the Party,’ a thunderous track complete with the sounds of a shotgun and the controversial lyrics, ‘wanna make a statement, you should’ve come without it.’ ‘Absolution’ is a stand-out track complete with classic blues riffs and a Western feel, ‘Blame Me’ is a brilliant four minutes of angst-ridden alt-rock and ‘Fucked Up World’ is another song similar to ‘Going to Hell’ that comments on humanity’s need for ‘sex and love and guns’ and the pointlessness of giving a fuck. Finale ‘Waiting for a Friend’ has a distinctive country element and ends the album on a sombre note.

                This album is definitely worth a listen if you’re open-minded or looking for inspiration. Musically and lyrically, ‘Going to Hell’ is a brilliant album that mixes a range of sounds and has stand-out tracks that will create a range of emotions within its listener. Perhaps the aim of this album was to showcase their impressive talent that the band so clearly possess, but the careless façade grew wearisome after Light Me Up and it’s probably time for Taylor Momsen to put some clothes on and concentrate on her musical talent rather than being rock’s answer to Miley Cyrus.