The Pretty Reckless

OH MY GOD IT'S JENNY HUMPHREY!!!! And don't they all look soooo happy in the picture?! I mean they're ecstatic about being in this band... oh wait. Right, they're edgy and cool so they can't smile or even appear to be having fun in any picture... gooootttttt it.

So despite their obvious coolness, let's get the facts straight... the band is fronted by Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl (actual name Taylor Momsen) she also played Cindy Lou Who in the Jim Carey version of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas. How is it possible that you don't check them out!

I was expecting them to be some horribly fronted band, with their only reason for having fans is because of her popular following on Gossip Girl... when I youtubed them to find some of their music, just to hear a sample (this was innnn January-ish) the first thing that popped up was "The Pretty Reckless Make Me Want To Die". Being completely naive to their song titles I thought that this meant they actually made someone want to die! Then I realized it was the name of the song, it was featured in Kick Ass and is SO CATCHY.

THEN. When my sister and I went to Bamboozle, she was playing... I couldn't miss her, obviously I had to see if she was for real and her voice wasn't autotuned... even if her appearance was the trashiest thing ever (seriously she's 16... or 17 now... and wears garters on stage WHERE ARE HER PARENTS! and she drops the eff bomb ever other word! but I must keep in mind that she's "edgy"). We mosey over to the stage and everyone is yelling about Jenny Humphrey, which made me feel a little bad that she's always going to be identified as Jenny... but she brought it on herself sooo I don't feel too bad. Expecting a train wreck of a performance I was going to give her 2 or 3 songs and then find some shade to sit down. BUT HOLY CRAP! The girl actually sings in key live and actually performs! I was flabbergasted! She sounds almost identical to the way she does on the recordings the only thing that was off was her background guy, he wasn't quite as in key as he is on the recording. So kudos to her for actually being able to belt it out.

As for her band... they're all significantly older than her, which also creeps me out a bit... what late 20's guy wants to hang out with a 17 year old?! But I guess it's a pretty good gig... there'll always be young little children to fall all over them. So Ben Phillips is the number one guy, he helps Taylor (we're on a first name basis) write the songs and is also her backing vocals and the lead guitar. Mark Damon (perhaps related to Matt?!) plays the bass and Jamie Perkins plays drums and other various percussion instruments... except for little shaker maraca thing Taylor Momsen OWNS that thing hahaha.

Now fastforward to the 31st of August (my sister's birthday) but also the release of this endearing album art... isn't it just so nice that this little kid can wear leather and use a zippo? I have great expectations for the youth of today. But anyway... the album is called Light Me Up.

It is actually quite good. I again was floored. The songs are pretty rock-ish, the songs are a little more mature but they're all really catchy and performed really well!!!

The guitar is super heavy in some songs but then in other songs the drums are really heavy... so it's a perfect blend. The album also has really fast dance-y songs and slower songs that are more campfire friendly. The deeper side of me will say that the album shows the complexity of life... some songs about being so in love with someone you'd do anything for them (Make Me Want To Die... while others are purely about rejection You)... overall it's a pretty decent album.

Another random note is that she did a cover of Rihanna and Eminem's Love the Way You Lie mashed with Islands... it's acoustic and surprisingly really good!!!

But... here's my breakdown of the top 5 songs from Light Me Up...

1. Make Me Want To Die

2. Goin' Down

3. You

4. Since You're Gone

5. Just Tonight

1. Make Me Want To Die... this is their "big hit"... it's ridiculously catchy, it starts with a cute little tune and then the rock sound comes in and it's so BA it's ridiculous, the lyrics are sweet too, or maybe they're a little negative... nevertheless they're catchy.

2. Goin' Down... so this song brought some controversy in a recent interview of Miss Momsen's, where she claims that the song is about priests and their molestation scandals... then she said she had slept with a priest... classy girl. BUT the song is pretty sweet, it's one of the rocky ones on the album. The best part of the song is when the music slows down a bit and she starts singing really quickly, like she's explaining something... it caught me the first time I heard the song.

3. You... this is one of the slower songs, the guitar in it is acoustic and it makes me all fuzzy inside, even if the song is a little sad. Her voice is impeccable in it too, again I was thoroughly impressed.

4. Since You're Gone... this song reminds me of old rock... just the beat and the way that she sings. It's a faster one again and the lyrics aren't very complex, but who cares!!

5. Just Tonight... BEST SONG ON THE ALBUM, in my opinion... but of course it will never be released as a single, that's fine though I can just enjoy it all to myself. The chorus is amazing, if she wrote this I will be a loyal fan to her forever, unfortunately the information is not on wikipedia and I don't feel like looking for it right now. But seriously... I love it, I don't even care if she's talking about being drugged up in it, I like to think it's a deeper meaning, even if it isn't.

All in all... I'd say good job Taylor Momsen and Co. I thoroughly enjoyed your album! Next time don't try to be so hardcore and be more of yourself, I don't care what your publicist says, you shouldn't act like this at 17... you're not too cool for school, you should still be in it!

Peace out!