The Pretty Reckless
Going to Hell
Razor & Tie

The last time we heard from The Pretty Reckless they put out a nice Zeppelin tinged EP in the form of the Hit Me Like a Man to accompany a spring tour before buckling down to write for their next album. As evidenced from the discs title track, front woman Taylor Momsen isn’t the only one who grew up in that time as first single, “Going to Hell” bears a vocally huskier woman at the helm. Musically the band has gotten not only tighter, but much more metallic with breakneck speed. The opening cut “Follow Me Down,” is fast and fun while the anthemic stomp of “Why’d You Bring a Shotgun to the Party” and “Heaven Knows” are instant stadium classics a la Queen.

Guitarist and songwriting partner in crime Ben Phillips proves to be a great songwriting partner for Momsen on the beautifully arranged ballad “House on a Hill,” before channeling the Beatles on “Dear Sister.” The band brings the metal on the pounding “Sweet Things” which features Phillips trading vocals that resemble former Stone Temple Pilots front man Scott Weiland. It must be noted that the band does a bang up job on the Pink Floyd-esque “Absolution” as well.

Despite a few obvious influences, The Pretty Reckless has delivered a killer sophomore disc with Going to Hell. All in all, this band still remains one of the best new rock bands out today with a little something new and different that can keep your attention without seeming fake or contrived like much of the hard rock and indie music that has been polluting the rock scene the past few years. –Matthew Pashalian