The Pretty Reckless - Other Worlds
...there’s a lovely, warm feel to the record and it offers you a great look into the band and their influences. It’s a very clever move.
In support of their forthcoming UK tour, The Pretty Reckless release an album of covers, alternate and acoustic versions to wonderful effect.
It has been twelve years since their debut album (Light Me Up) was released, and in that time the band have gone from strength to strength, building up a huge following across the globe. Time then to treat said fans with a record which will pull on their collective heartstrings.
Other Worlds is built around a tribute to the bands hero (and as it happens one of mine) Chris Cornell. They were touring with Soundgarden when Cornell sadly passed, and you can absolutely hear the influence they have had. The cover of Loud Love is a perfect nod to the Soundgarden sound, with lead singer Taylor Momsen bringing her A game.
We follow up Loud Love with a beautiful cover of a Chris Cornell solo classic The Keeper which features multi-instrumentalist Alain Johaness. The song is a wonderful example of the range of Momsen’s vocal. It is so delicate and almost gospel like, a one trick pony she is not. Completing the Soundgarden trilogy we have a cover version of Halfway There featuring the Soundgarden and Pearl Jam Legend Matt Cameron. Yes the hook is identical to Smells Like Teen Spirit, but that can only be a good thing, right?
The cover of Elvis Costello’s (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding was first recorded during the Covid-19 forced Fearless At Home livestream and is a wonderful tune, yet again it is Momsen’s vocals that steal the show for me. We also have Quicksand which is one of my favourite David Bowie songs so I was very intrigued to hear The Pretty Reckless version. Any fears were quickly abated, as this song works really well, it features Mike Garson who played keys for the Thin White Duke, who is on hand to lend a wonderful piano refrain.
Other highlights for me include a country-like acoustic Harley Darling (a song that originally features on the bands 2021 Death By Rock and Roll LP) and a really smart remix of Got So High, giving the song an MGMT like feel.
This record then is a fan service dream. That said if you aren’t familiar with The Pretty Reckless and their work then this would actually be a smart place to start, there’s a lovely, warm feel to the record and it offers you a great look into the band and their influences. It’s a very clever move. Enjoy.
8/10
