The Pretty Reckless – Other Worlds
Release Date: 4th November 2022
Label: Century Media Records
Stream
Genre: Rock, Folk, Acoustic.
FFO: Halestorm, Pop Evil, Dead Posey, Chris Cornell, Dorothy.
Review By: Mark Waight
The Pretty Reckless are without doubt one of the finest rock bands currently around the music scene. Their brand of old school rock blended with a modern twist put them at the very cutting edge of all that is great in today’s rock world. Other worlds is a compendium of acoustic and surprising covers along with alternative and reworked versions of previously released songs sandwiched between two fantastic versions of Got So High. Other worlds is for anyone who loves stripped down to the bare-bones versions from a fantastic catalogue of original songs that really deliver on an emotional level, along with some covers of special songs that have deeply influenced the band.
The Pretty Reckless is Taylor Monson (vocals), Ben Phillips (guitars), Jamie Perkins (drums) and Mark Damon (bass). There are also guest appearances from Alain Johannes, Mike Garson and Matt Cameron.
Opening track Got so High is a personal favourite of mine, and really expresses Taylor Monson’s vulnerable side with some beautiful southern rock style vocals and a slow burning soundtrack. As expected, it’s not as full-on as previous album opener, Death By Rock and Roll, but it delivers much more in the way of depth and emotion.
Loud Love, an old school rock tune, with a hard edge due to the guitar playing from Ben Phillips, who delivers a banging performance. This is far more riff based, and it’s great to hear the band still include something with a bit of grit.
The Keeper is a folky, upbeat acoustic song which pitches Taylor Monson’s softer vocals against the solo guitar of Alain Johannes, where the similar-styled Quicksand incorporates a wonderful piano performance from Mike Garson to produce a standout cover version of a Bowie classic.
The acoustic version of 25 is stunning in its simplicity, with a solitary moody piano being the only company for Taylor Monson’s gravelly vocal performance. Only Love Can Save Me Now is an excellently crafted acoustic version of one of the bands previous hits, and highlights how good The Pretty Reckless are at stripping back an arrangement and delivering it with a new spin.
The acoustic version of the title track from previous album Death by Rock and Roll is superb and delivers another punchy tune that is so cool it could freeze water. The bluesy guitar-licks add such a great stomping rhythm, it’s hard not to get totally caught up in it.
Halfway There featuring Matt Cameron on vocals and guitar is a pandemic era cover of the Soundgarden song that created quite a stir when it was released on multimedia platforms during lockdown. The cover version of Elvis Costello’s (What’s so Funny Bout) Peace Love and Understanding is a concise, acoustic rendition of another absolute belter of a genuine classic from the past.
Harley Darling has a taste of country about it, both sad and joyful at the same time, but is so smooth and easy listening that it’s hard to not want to sing-along.
Our sandwich is then completed by another round of Got So High, this time the album version of the song. A great song, but personally I would love to have heard an acoustic version of Witches Burn.
Other Worlds by The Pretty Reckless is an album that fans of the band will absolutely love (as did I). The Pretty Reckless are more than capable of delivering an unplugged tour/performance, and it would be great to see more of their material get the acoustic treatment in the future. 
(4.5 / 5)
