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Review: The Pretty Reckless – Hit Me Like A Man [EP]

Interscope Records‏ // "More skill and range than has been heard from the group before..."

by Candi H, May 31st, 2012 and has been Read 1634 times.
Last Edited by: Glen June 1st, 2012.

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Barely legal, Gossip Girl, Taylor Momsen and her band, The Pretty Reckless, on the outside don’t exactly scream of integrity or are the picture of a hard-grafting rock band. However, when I got to see them live last year supporting Evanescence in the UK, I was hugely surprised at the standard of their live performance. The band were great albeit maybe a little too rehearsed but Taylor herself proved to be a confident and able frontwoman, singing and commanding the stage like someone with twice her experience (and age).

After the release of their debut album Light Me Up in 2010, they’ve toured incessantly including a recent impressive slot supporting Marilyn Manson and their very own headline tour (The Medicine Tour) across North America. This was in light of a new EP titled Hit Me Like A Man which was released recently. It features three new tracks and two from their debut which were recorded live from the very same Evanescence show in London that I mentioned.

It’s a little disappointing that there’s no news of a second full-length just yet, as I’m interested to hear how much progress has been made, or if any at all. This new EP in the mean time provides fans with a little distraction. It was produced by one Kato Khandwala who has worked with Paramore, Blondie and All Time Low as well as the ‘Reckless bunch themselves on their debut. The first track here is the live version of ‘Make Me Wanna Die’; their most well-known tune, having appeared on the soundtrack for 2010 superhero movie, Kick-Ass. This live version of the stompy hard-rock slice is impressive enough although the sound levels are a little strange. The audience noise fades in and out of the mix more like a soap opera where every time someone cracks a joke, they pipe up. Other than that, the recording sounds crisp and highlights the strength they demonstrated that night.

LISTEN// 'Make Me Wanna Die (Live)'

http://soundcloud.com/igamusic/the-pretty-reckless-make-me

The second live track, ‘Since You’re Gone’ has been given the same treatment; minimal audience participation captured. However it’s still a great recording which shows off plenty of sass from the young singer, and the numerous guitar solos of Ben Phillips are clean and precise. What’s more important to focus on here are the new tracks. Title-track ‘Hit Me Like A Man’ is a sexy romp of a rock song with more of their clean signature riffs and Taylor’s raspy but assured vocals -

“Some will give you pain, some will give you pleasure. Hit me like a man, love me like a woman!”

It’s a pretty straightforward hard-rock arrangement with a bluesy swing; the emphasis being more on the 18-year-old’s captivating delivery which ranges from sweet innocent spectator to enraged bunny boiler.

‘Under The Water’ is a nice little power-ballad which shows more depth both emotionally and musically. It starts off very Courtney Love-ish with a stripped back arrangement of gloomy acoustic guitar strumming and tormented vocals. As it progresses through its four-minute running time, layers build and the drama increases into ‘November Rain’ territory – lengthy guitar solo, theatrical string sections and melodramatic vocals. It definitely shows more skill and range than has been heard from the group before.


Photo credit to Derek Brad

And finally there’s ‘Cold Blooded’, which hints at more blues influences that the group have been playing with. It’s also more of a stand-off type duet between Miss Momsen and her lead axeman, Ben who sings alongside her - “You can’t trust a cold blooded lover, you can’t trust a cold blooded slave, you can’t trust a cold blooded other. In the end they’ll just drive you insane” – they both croon in harmony. The addition of organ chords behind the guitar distortion, sluggish drumming and bluesy bass notes are cool and sexy. In essence, it’s a Quentin Tarantino movie scene with sex, violence, slow-motion dancing/stripping and maybe a few Mexicans (which is most I think).

LISTEN// 'Cold Blooded'

http://soundcloud.com/igamusic/the-pretty-reckless-cold

Overall, Hit Me Like A Man is a decent EP and taster for what The Pretty Reckless have up their sleeves. The live tracks are a nice touch but the new tunes are more insightful as to where they’re heading musically. If there’s more blues-driven rock 'n' roll in their next album, then I think their credibility level will see a boost, unlike just the size of Taylor’s heels and sex appeal.

Hit Me Like A Man is out now.

Worth Listening To...

• Under The Water
• Cold Blooded