The Pretty Reckless: “Got So High”

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For almost two months, The Pretty Reckless new album Death by Rock and Roll has been out. It’s a splendid album that combines all the elements that make rock music great.

The self-titled album track, “Death By Rock And Roll”, is a huge hit. But more than that, there isn’t a bad song on the most anticipated TPR release thanks to kick ass lead singer Taylor Momsen teasing a few of the songs on social media.

Whether you’ve heard the 12 song album on CD, vinyl or even in classic cassette thanks to Momsen creating an old school feel to it, it doesn’t disappoint. Of course, in today’s modernized world of technology with apps like Spotify, you can listen to the entire album on your Android or iPhone. I’m glad I have it saved.

One of my favorite songs is the very surreal, “Got So High.” A track that obviously addresses Momsen’s personal demons with substance abuse following the deaths of rock idol Chris Cornell and producer Kato Kwandwala over a year apart between April 2017 and May 2018. During that time, she struggled with the losses of the Soundgarden/Audioslave legend they toured with and then the sudden loss of close friend Kwandwala.

It’s only natural to feel depressed when you lose people you’re very close to. Thankfully, Momsen recovered from her personal demons and was determined to finish the album with band mates Ben Phillips, Jamie Perkins and Mark Damon. At 27, she’s a very driven person with a powerful voice that can be felt in how she delivers the lyrics in The Pretty Reckless’ songs.

There’s plenty of raw emotion in “Got So High.” Even though it’s only a 3:20 track, you can feel exactly how Momsen feels on every word. That’s how strong it is. The way it all comes together with an acoustic sound that blends well with a familiar melody from grunge past. It is eerily similar in sound to Mazzy Star when they had hit, “Fade Into You.” A comparison knowledgeable music observers recognized. That is sung by Hope Sandoval.

However, Momsen and her band are drawing on their challenging experiences. Cornell had one of the greatest voices in the music industry. It’s still hard to believe he’s been gone nearly four years after taking his own life following a performance in Detroit when TPR opened for him.

“That was the nail in the coffin for me. I threw my hands up in the air and kind of went ‘Yeah, I give up.’ I went down a very dark rabbit hole of depression and substance abuse and everything that comes with that.”

Taylor Momsen on the sudden loss of producer and close personal friend Kato Kwandwala. 😔 The lyrics are well delivered and it’s a song we can all identify with.

One, two, three

Turned out wasted, confused, complacent, I
Lost my center, suppose I meant to hide

I, I, I, I, I got so high
I, I, I, I got so high

Success showed somethin’, at the same time nothin’, I
Thought I got it, but it seems I’ve lost it, I

I, I, I, I got so high
I, I, I got so high

If I wanted to fly, I should have gone up in a plane
If I wanted to fly
I should have climbed up to the highest mountain top
Now I’ve lost my brain, but I’m insane, so

I, I, I, I, I got so high
I, I, I, I, I got so high
I, I, I, I, I got so high
I, I, I, I, I got so high

I was somethin’ but now I’m nothin’, I…

I like her candid honesty in the song where she references losing her brain.

“If I wanted to fly, I should have gone up in a plane. If I wanted to fly, I should have climbed up the highest mountain top.”

Pretty heavy stuff. Basically, Momsen is saying there are better ways to go than doing drugs. Or to get so high. It almost seems that she was at such a low point. I’m glad she got past it and worked even harder during the pandemic to put together a great rock album. On her Instagram, she released footage of the band shooting videos in NYC. There were plenty of cool moments caught on camera including that beautiful red gown she wore in hit song, “25.”

They had to do the shooting in one session due to COVID-19. Of course, everyone got tested and they wore masks when they had to. I can’t imagine what that was like. I’ve listened to interviews Momsen did from Maine where she was very vocal about mental health. She’s been front and center on the stigma attached to anxiety and depression. Something that hasn’t been covered enough over the past year.

It speaks to a level of maturity and growth that she’s having so much success this early into her career thar began after she left Gossip Girl. Momsen knew that it was music that captivated her. She was proven right.

The Pretty Reckless are a band to be reckoned with. With now a fourth successful album doing well, hopefully they’ll be able to tour soon. One can only hope.

Live Acoustic: Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless sounds phenomenal singing new single “25”

Taylor Momsen seems to always fly under the radar in the music scene despite her obvious God given talent. The lead singer of The Pretty Reckless recently released new single, “25” off the band’s fourth album Death by Rock and Roll. It’s set for release next February 12, 2021.

The 27-year old blonde bombshell has a remarkable voice that delivers the powerful lyrics to the band’s edgy songs. The former actress who once played teenager Jenny Humphrey in hit show Gossip Girl that prominently starred Blake Lively and Leighton Meester, has been in her own band since 2009. Momsen gave up acting for her first true love of rock and roll. It was a great decision.

A unique artist who has toured with The Pretty Reckless and even fulfilled her dream of opening for legendary Chris Cornell, she was heartbroken by the rockstar’s tragic death in Detroit, Michigan. Following a show on May 17, 2017, the former Soundgarden and Audioslave front man took his own life. The suicide took its toll on Momsen, who also lost her best friend and band manager Kato Khandwala due to a bike accident on April 25, 2018.

The combination of the two tragedies made her contemplate giving up writing. Thankfully, she didn’t. Her music is now a release. Along with original guitarist Ben Phillips, they finally continued work on The Pretty Reckless’ fourth album. So far, so good. They released the self-titled album track earlier this year to much fanfare. Just in time for Halloween, “Broomsticks” was also released as a single online. A perfect catchy tune for the witching hour.

Last Friday, the band debuted “25”, with Momsen revealing it in a Instagram announcement with a direct link. The song is excellent. She also appeared on Fox Five’s Good Morning New York to help promote it. Like most of her interviews even through Zoom due to the pandemic, she is well spoken and handles herself well.

She went on to give a live acoustic performance that was phenomenal. Her vocals always standout due to the emotion she delivers with every word. She has great range and is a extraordinary talent who deserves more recognition along with her band for how well they play. The live performance along with the interview can be viewed below courtesy of YouTube super fan Marianne Audouin.

The piano in this is excellent. It’s not something you really see enough of in rock groups that play as hard as TPR. You have the quartet of Momsen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Phillips (lead guitar, backing vocals), Mark Bass (bassist) and Jamie Perkins (drums and percussion) combining to form a cohesive band with staying power. Their alternative and hard rock sound is something that we don’t hear enough of anymore due to today’s pop culture along with the decline of rap.

If music wants to right a wrong, they need to open their eyes and start paying attention to The Pretty Reckless. A great band with a unique sound that’s very complete. Momsen can power through the words. She’s sang emotional tribute covers of Cornell hit songs dating back to the heyday of Seattle grunge in the 90’s.

The very fact that a live acoustic set of “25”, sounds even better than the studio version should tell you all you need to know. You can judge for yourself. Here is the official song with cool Halloween lyrics included. Momsen wrote it when she was 25.

As we draw nearer to Thanksgiving and Christmas, we can anticipate more great songs coming out until the album hits stores next Feb. 12. That is exciting news for rock fans. We need it.