It isn’t hard in today’s music industry to find quasi-talented artists who make headlines simply because of their outrageous behavior, versus their actual talent and work. And, in most cases, it’s rare for these outlandish attention seekers to actually produce a body of work that can silence the most condemning of critics. Ladies and Gentlemen meet the exception: Taylor Momsen and the Pretty Reckless.
The 17-year-old front woman of the band isn’t putting on wigs and singing to the pre-teens of the world about “climbing over mountains” and “parties in the USA”. Rather you can find her flippantly trotting around New York City, where her band originated and the hit show Gossip Girl is filmed (of which she plays the roll of Jenny Humphrey).
On any day you should expect to find Momsen in outfits (or lingerie, you decide) that would make even a young Britney blush. Typically she is knee deep in eyeliner and red lipstick, tossing out one-liners about masturbation, screwing a priest and of course a plethora of f-bombs. She isn’t necessarily America’s sweetheart, and nor does she want to be. Due to Momsen’s public behavior, and unwillingness to apologize for her, at times, crude words (and appearance), her band was initially labeled as somewhat of a teen-angst “we’re-hardcore-and-don’t-care” wannabe rock group. The band laughs off these claims, and we’re laughing with them.
From what the world has heard through single releases, viral videos, Internet leaks and of course MySpace, those initial inapt labels are quickly disappearing. Perhaps it was opening up for The Veronica’s last summer, or maybe it was the line-up changes (she replaced the whole band), but whatever the reason, The Pretty Reckless have delivered a taste of music that should quiet their naysayers. The two released singles “Make Me Wanna Die” (amazing) and “Miss Nothing” (check out the sacrilegious video) are part of the bands debut album entitled Light Me Up, due out August 31, 2010. With the songwriting primed by Momsen herself, she and her band capture a sound reminiscent of Hole, seamlessly mixed with lots of garage-grunge and hard rock. Taylor Momsen has taken the first steps to becoming what the alternative rock world hopes will be the next Courtney Love (less booze, less-ahem-extra curricular activities, more music).
As the album release approaches, Momsen and the rest of her band members: Mark Damon (bass), Jamie Perkins (drums) and Ben Phillips (guitar), are spending their summer on the road playing Warped Tour. While doubts may still linger about how successful The Pretty Reckless will be in the musical universe, we think the remainder of the album’s contents will speak for itself. As for those who disagree…well, as Momsen would say “Fuck you”.
