Death By Rock and Roll
| The Pretty Reckless
Death By Rock and Roll
Death by Rock and Roll is the fourth studio album by American rock band The Pretty Reckless. It was released on February 12, 2021. It is the band's first album released with their new label, Fearless Records. It is also the band's first album since the death of their long-time producer, Kato Khandwala. The album was produced by Jonathan Wyman, vocalist Taylor Momsen, and guitarist Ben Phillips, along with additional production done by Nate Yacchichino. The album was preceded by two singles: "Death by Rock and Roll" and "And So It Went" featuring Tom Morello. There were also two promotional singles released prior to the album: "Broomsticks" and "25". -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Kerrang!
Taylor Momsen mourns death, celebrates life and rallies against injustice on The Pretty Reckless’ excellent fourth album Death By Rock And Roll.
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NME
Fuelled by grief and heartache, the New York band's hair-raising fourth album is wall-to-wall epic rock songs, with glimpses of the turmoil below the surface.
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Ghost Cult Magazine
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.
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Louder Sound
The Pretty Reckless find brilliant new life on Death By Rock And Roll.
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The Soundboard Reviews
They’re doing something with it that feels authentic and lived-in, more than ever before, and it’s paying dividends when everything comes together as well as it does. On top of that, the playing is solid, as is the sound, and aiming for something a bit more gripping than just comfort food with a big chorus ultimately implies that Death By Rock And Roll might have more staying power than their work has in the past.
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Distorted Sound Magazine
By taking the listener on a rollercoaster ride down a rock-and-roll rabbithole, Death By Rock And Roll is the album The PRETTY RECKLESS were destined to make in order to ascend to the upper echelons of hard rock heaven.
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Invicta Magazine
As far as the album is concerned in it’s entirety, Death By Rock And Rock stands as the most emotionally potent album that The Pretty Reckless has ever written. You would have to be emotionally colourblind not to feel everything that Taylor, Ben, Jamie and Mark have put into this. Were there any more of their souls in it you would be inclined to describe it as a horcrux. It is a testament to loss, the love of a dear friend, Rock and Roll and truthfully describing their pain. They have allowed themselves to show their vulnerabilities and the effect is sombre and beautiful.
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5 Finger Review
The Pretty Reckless has the perfect formula of well-written songs, technically proficient players, and a powerhouse frontwoman. Momsen’s vocals command power as the band creates the sonic stage for her to excel. The songs have many moods and feelings, making them exciting and standing up to repeated listens. The Pretty Reckless ROCK!
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Commedia
Overall, "Death By Rock And Roll” sounds like it came right out of the 70s with modern yet timeless struggles. It’s not the most unique album ever made, but it’s a stepping stone for The Pretty Reckless.
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Audio Ink Radio
There’s a lot of anticipation behind the release of The Pretty Reckless’ “Death by Rock and Roll,” and with solid songwriting and an earnest delivery, the album delivers. “Death by Rock and Roll” is the kind of record that will be played for generations of rock fans to come.
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The Moshville Times
What works in their favour, despite a couple of wobbles at the beginning and end, is in the midst of walking on well-travelled ground, they do it with more self-assurance than they ever have.
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Markus' Heavy Music Blog
‘Death by Rock and Roll’ is a very recommendable album. The Pretty Reckless prove one more time that there is no way of getting around them when it comes to modern rock. This album has all the ingredients in the right place and delivers 51 minutes of high-end contemporary rock music that you tempt to listen to more than once.
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Gigwise
The Pretty Reckless have gone above and beyond on Death by Rock and Roll to create an album that can really connect with the listener. Some tracks are more memorable than others, but with each listen you pick up on new details. It’s a prime example of the healing power of rock and roll.
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Stereoboard
‘Death By Rock and Roll’ is as much a testament to the emotionally transcendent power of music as it is to Momsen’s credentials as a bona fide rock star. She may have initially attracted a lot of cynicism due to her ‘Gossip Girl star’ past, but it’s impossible to question her authenticity after this career-defining release.
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Upset Magazine
Four albums deep, Taylor Momsen’s The Pretty Reckless are pretty much veterans of their scene by now, but there’s little of the bloated, stand-still laziness that tends to plague bands after they reach a certain vintage.
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Digital Journal
Overall, Death By Rock And Roll is a superb album that is eclectic from start to finish. It is badass, high-adrenaline, and worth more than just a passing glance. Taylor Momsen and the band get better with age and experience. They are able to take fans and listeners on a rocking musical journey.
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Dead Press
An album of two distinct halves, ‘Death By Rock And Roll’ sees The Pretty Reckless refine their blend of hard rock but also move towards a different sound. Tightly structured and boasting a wide range of influences throughout, ‘Death By Rock And Roll’ is a welcome return for the quartet.
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Rock N Load Magazine
All in all, this 12-track album has been well written and musically constructed. The start was appealing with a distinctive sound that lured you in to believe that the tracks that would follow would be congruent. But the change in musical style was welcomed as the vocals of Tayler Momsem proved versatile throughout the entire album.
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Roppongi Rocks
There’s a lot of storytelling throughout the album. Call it whatever you want. It’s great music performed by a fab band.
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Uncivil Revolt
They do a brilliant job taking the elements of different rock sounds and paying homage to those paved the way for young, hungry groups. She continues to astound me as a singer, shedding her Cindy Lou Who life behind her for something grander. Once live shows return, I will be getting high off their rock and roll. To the Pretty Reckless, I salute you. Horns up!!!
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The Courier Online
Fans of the band will probably find something to enjoy in the album, while those who prefer something that takes more creative risks should probably skip it.
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Bring the Noise UK
After a five year wait since their previous release, The Pretty Reckless‘ fans are no doubt going to be glad they’ve returned, especially with such a solid album in tow. Despite the musical rollercoaster it takes us on, from serenades to screams, it’s clear that something truly beautiful has risen from a dark place. Death By Rock And Roll is more than worthy of everyone’s time, to brighten up your February days.
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When The Horn Blows
‘Death By Rock And Roll’ channels these tragedies into big rock songs, and spotlights the continued importance of music – rock music – in all our lives, regardless of what happens elsewhere.
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mxdwn Music
Momsen and her bandmates ensure this album is their most confident collection yet. The songs are persuasive but shattered by Momsen’s vocals and balanced by the instruments themselves. She tackles issues head-on, which is heard in their music, but she also proves that music has the ability to soundtrack events in our lives. It can add a commentary and perspective unforeseen by the crap in everyday life, and Momsen is the narrator in Death by Rock and Roll. It’s now a matter of if you want to listen.
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Cryptic Rock
A heavy hitter, The Pretty Reckless’ Death By Rock And Roll is emotional, dark, and nostalgic with a burning light at the end of the tunnel. Giving it their all, The Pretty Reckless truly sound alive on Death By Rock And Roll and the overall emotion is really strong. Getting to the point, Death By Rock And Roll is by far the best Pretty Reckless album to date and maybe the best Rock album of 2021.
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Side Stage Magazine
Death by Rock and Roll shows how “rock and roll saved our lives,” and how life (and death) by rock and roll is the only way to live. All rock lovers need this album in their library!
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Noizze
As much as recent years have not been kind to The Pretty Reckless, this defining moment in their musical exploration is one of immense pride and honour. Through loss they dove into the deepest depths of despair, to rise from the ashes and the darkness to flourish using their passion as a source of survival; in Taylors own words “...rock and roll saved our lives” and in return they gave Rock and Roll the respect it has earned through this incredible record.
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Wall of Sound
Somewhat contradicting its title, Death By Rock And Roll shows a group of people who have been through the ringer, yet remain very much alive. There’s also a nod to every previous era of The Pretty Reckless, which in the end helps to produce a fresh and powerful result.
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