The Pretty Reckless "Light Me Up" Review

Most people know lead singer Taylor Momsen as the bratty high school teen from the Television series Gossip Girl. What most people don't know is that this girl has come serious chops when it comes to singing and that is well showcased on her band The Pretty Reckless' debut album Light Me Up.

The band formed in 2009 and are made up of members Ben Phillips (guitar), Mark Damon (bass) and Jamie Perkins (drums). Lead singer Taylor Momsen initially formed a band back in 2008 and even opened up for The Veronicas in 2009 but eventually  fired her band mates stating that they didn't fit with her musical style. She wanted a darker more sinister sound to her songs thus forming a new band and taking on the name The Reckless. The name was then changed adding "Pretty" to it's title due to legal reasons.

From the opening track "My Medicine", the first song on the album easily portrays that signature sound Momsen was going for. Old School grunge with a real Rock N Roll feel to it. Although different, The Runaways quickly come to mind as I listen to each song. The album in it's entirety has an 80's feel to it and that's surprising that Momsen was only 15 years old while recording the album. You get a sense that someone much older is singing these songs but her voice has such maturity in it that you really can't tell the difference. This is a debut album from a band that came out of nowhere but each track is so well put together that you'd think this band has 10 years under they're belt.

The majority of the lyrics that are written for this 10 track album come from a very dark place as by design. The lead single "Make Me Wanna Die" tells the story (well at least to me) of a vampire telling his mortal soul mate about his life as a bloodsucking demon. My favorite track on the album "Just Tonight" tells the story of a girl who's speaking through a self induced coma after swallowing a mouth full of pills. The song is a ballad of sorts completely different that the other 9 tracks on the album. "Miss Nothing" which is the second single off the album tells the story if a girl who just wants to break free from being misused, under appreciated and taken advantage of.

Overall Light Me Up is very good and almost immediately makes you forget that the lead singer Taylor Momsen daylights on the CW Network.

Other songs to hear: "Goin' Down", "Light Me Up" and "Nothing Left To Lose"