Little J, she is no more – Taylor Momsen of the Gossip Girl fame is now pursuing a career in music – and I love it! Scantily – and scandalously – clad in garters and stripper heels, she is the modern-day Courtney Love with more energy, better vocals and a hefty dosage of teenage angst on display.
The Pretty Reckless – Miss Nothing
Taylor has a lot going against her. She is a teenage girl in rock-n-roll with model-esque looks and a past in acting. But don’t confuse her for an Emily Osment or a Demi Lovato; Taylor is the real deal in that racoon eyeshadow and a cigarette hanging out of her burgundy-painted mouth. Her authenticity is constantly being questioned, but I think the real test is not her past (where she came from, how hard her childhood was or how little money she used to have), but how devoted she is to what she does. If this is just a mask, a put-on, she will drop it and move on to something else in a year or two. But so far, what I see is a talented girl, an impressive performer and shockingly seasoned songwriter, fighting to be taken seriously in the historically sexist business of rock-n-roll. I’m rooting for her and am anxiously awaiting the full-length record!
To experience Taylor’s best songwriting, check out album tracks like Medicine and Goin’ Down, my favorites so far.
Deerlings: what do you think of The Pretty Reckless? Do you think Taylor has a chance?
My Medicine is incredible – I haven’t gotten my hands on the album yet but I saw them live in London a few weeks ago and they, and she, were INCREDIBLE! http://www.rachelphipps.com/Pretty-Reckless-Academy-Islington-10468780
She was wearing what she’s wearing in the video on stage, and she looked fantastic!
I do think she has a chance. the style, the makeup, the music. she seems different than the other “stars”. shes stunning, and i adore her!
x
Taylor didn’t leave the show permanently, THILLY…
She’s had the band simultaneously while doing the show. She just wasn’t there for the start of Season 4 because she was doing Warped Tour. She was seen back on set recently. DON’T give us GG fans a heart attack!
Doe Deere Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Ahhh that’s the best news, EVER! I’m a huge GG fan and nearly cried when I heard rumors of Taylor leaving the show. So relieved she isn’t!
I hate that to be rock n roll, you have to do drugs, had a bad childhood and be generally unhappy. It’s about passion, energy, a love for all things fast and loud, and being kinda crazy! people are always amazed at how wild I get when I listen to my fave band Rammstein, ‘cos i’m otherwise quite ‘straight edge’….aka happy, wanting to do well and succeed in life and be healthy etc etc
I really like that band. Shes like a mix between Courtney Love and Cherie Currie from The Runaways. I love it!
Doe Deere Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 1:47 pm
She is! Also The White Stripes (esp. in My Medicine).
I think Taylor has a great voice, “Make me Wanna Die” has been on repeat on my itunes for a few weeks now. She definitely has potential to stay in the scene.
But her image I don’t like. She’s 16 and she’s dressing like a whore. Shes wearing normal t-shirts with fishnet stockings and garters. She’s too young to be wearing that kind of stuff… even if she is trying to give off the “tough image”
i have a hard time liking her given that she is SO young and dresses and acts like she does. i think it’s possible to be an edgy young rock star and still maintain a little class, and that’s something she seems incapable of doing. it seems like all she wants is attention for acting 10 years older than she is. who knows, though, maybe i’ll like her when she actually is older.
Doe Deere Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 1:46 pm
Honestly, I think that’s exactly the problem with singers like Demi Lovato and Emily Osment – they keep it too classy and too clean, to them rock’n'roll is a put-on but not who they really are. It’s pretty cool that Taylor is able to shed that entirely and be so raw and unpretentious.
Brittany S Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Sorry Doe I disagree. A person can be classy and be unpretentious. Also I can’t imagine someone being “too classy and too clean” thats like telling someone they are too happy or colorful.And I’ve read up one Demie and Emily and they have both said in their own words that they love what they do and are influenced by their young fans, so really they are true to who they are.
Kristabelle Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 5:11 pm
The thing is, Taylor isn’t trying to being classy, she’s trying to be ‘rock’ (for lack of a better term). If she was like a Disney star, it wouldn’t go with her music. She’s 17, nearly an adult, and not aiming for a child audience.
Colleen W. Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 6:55 pm
Yeah, I agree with Brittany. That’s a bit harsh judgement to put on such young singers. They were brought up by Disney. Even if they wanted to, do you think they have any other choice besides being classy and clean? Look at the whiplash Miley Cyrus got trying to deviate from her teen pop image.
Not to mention the fact that they don’t actually do rock and roll, and I doubt they’d say they did, as they’re clearly pop singers.
Colleen W. Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Oh, but, I do think Taylor seems more raw and unpretentious.
Yesss, I lovee Taylor Momsen! She’s one of my biggest inspirations- incredible voice, songwriting skills, and style. Some of my favorites are her older tracks before she changed the band:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU9fvv9fFa8
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekg9OghrJ8o
Her acoustic versions of Make Me Wanna Die and Just Tonight are amazing, too. Oh, to have that voice lol.
The album is actually already available on sites like Demonoid if you torrent, since it’s already been released in the UK. It’s called Light Me Up and it’s pretty amazing. :)
ive got to say not fan of the music
remeber when the people sporting that beautiful eye shadow meant it not as statement but as a way of life. i read something about her bieng really nasty and uncaring and to be honest she should learn not everyone is like that in her career just take Gerard Way for instance and already you see something is very wrong with her image
I think she’s got a chance. Anyone can change their image. BUT…when I see this video, all i think is Avril, Avril, Avril. She needs to find her niche.
Doe Deere Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Really?? I think she’s totally different!
I like her way more than I feel like I should. I think she’s different from most of the other musicians out there, and a quite talented singer. I definitely agree with Rhia–you shouldn’t have to be ‘troubled’ to make rock music…you just need to be passionate, ambitious, and talented, and that’s Taylor. I love how she’s got a surprisingly low-register voice for a modern female singer. But I feel like she’ll eventually have to choose between acting and singing, because doing both will make people question her authenticity even more. Personally, I’d like to see her keep making music.
Doe Deere Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 4:06 pm
I’m surprised so many people like her on the blog! It’s awesome. :D
HAHAHA You should be the last person to talk about anyone’s authenticity.
Doe Deere Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Hey kid, lighten up! Don’t be so negative. xo
Courtney Love caLLed from 1993 and wantet her clothes and attiude back.
Miss Roslyn Reply:
September 7, 2010 at 6:49 am
Can’t help but giggle at this. Totally right. It reminds me of an interview I saw with Alice Cooper asking what he thought of Marilyn Manson…he did a wonderful Darth Vader-style “luke, I am your father” impersonation.
Honestly, she’s not horrid – but she’s certainly got nothing on Miss. Love. She’s a little too neat, and not enough grunt, in my opinion…which is of course only that.
I gotta say I don’t like her image, I feel like she is trying to hard to be Courtney Love. Courtney Love was a good musician but a very lost and confused junkie and she would be the first to tell you. I just don’t understand why people want to return the 90′s grunge there was sooo much identity crisis then. Also she is 16, thats way too young to be prancing around in her underwear on a stage.I mean this just isn’t (in my opinion) the way a young lady or for that matter a young woman should act.
I guess you could say its just her Rock N Roll attitude but look at Avril Lavinge,kelly clarkson,Pink,Gwen Stefani,Florance and the Machine,Hayley williams and these are the women I could think of off the top of my head. You can be a Rock N roll Godess and act your age.
Sarah Joy Reply:
September 26, 2010 at 7:18 pm
It’s not like she’s the first teenage girl to run around on stage or in music videos in her underwear. Cherie Currie did the same thing in the 70′s with The Runaways.
I like Taylor’s music but think she’s a bit of a twat. I watched a video interview she did with Nylon where she was asked about The Pretty Reckless. Her response was that the band was “basically just her”. No credit or mention of the other band members. Not cool. I realise that that may partly be because she is only 16 but she needs to wise up a little.
Doe Deere Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 4:08 pm
I saw that interview, I think she’s just being honest. She doesn’t have a permanent band to speak of (at least not yet). As someone who has been in a band, I know how hard it can be to retain a steady line-up. Besides, Taylor is the focus anyway. :)
Alison Reply:
September 4, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Perhaps another interpretation of her comment that The Pretty Reckless is “pretty much me” is that it’s her ideas and vision? She said she writes the lyrics and the music, and she is the face of the band. Given that, maybe she means the band is an outward embodiment of who she genuinely sees herself to be. That does not mean that she does not appreciate or give credit to the other band members, though.
The things a person says can often be interpreted in more than one way. We can really only guess at her meaning.
The sort of disturbing thing of watching her writhe around in lingerie is that she looks more like a child prostitute than a woman. She’s not fully formed, she’s a pile of sticks and looks like someone’s 12 year old run amok. Nothing wrong with girls, even teens being sexual or sexualized. But the way Taylor chooses to do it doesn’t flatter her figure and and overshadows her actual talents.
It just produces a knee-jerk reaction that you want to yell at her mother. Gofugyourself.com regularly does a good job of that.
Doe Deere Reply:
September 4, 2010 at 2:53 pm
Speaking of mothers, somebody asked how I would feel if Taylor was my daughter. You can read my response in comment 42.
I adore her and The Pretty Reckless, but she just keeps making it harder for me to defend against those who are saying “Where are this girl’s parents?!”
The clear heels crossed the line.
Doe Deere Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 8:02 pm
Haha, what, like we’ve never seen a stripper heel before? :) I think she is trying to be provocative, it’s still a performance. I appreciate all sorts of art – clean, offensive, prudish, provocative. Hers is definitely the latter.
Cassandra Reply:
September 6, 2010 at 2:49 am
Oh no, I totally get that she’s trying to be provocative. However, there’s a line between ‘provocative performance’ and ‘just downright trashy and not age appropriate’.
Chris Rock does a bit about clear heels being the “whore uniform”, and he’s completely correct.
So, I checked her out thinking I was going to see a trainwreck. I did, until she opened her mouth. What a lovely mature voice. Too bad she’s heaped a crap load of image on top of it. Its hard to enjoy such great vocals when the 16 year old in front of you is trying too hard.
Now I don’t mind images, everyone has them. I was into the 90s grundge scene so some of what she does is nostalgic. But she’s just a kid and it comes off as contrived. Maybe when she gets older she’ll grow outta all that embarassing teen angst we’ve all been through and flourish as a decent artist. I hope so, she has a refreshing voice that I haven’t heard in ages.
Doe Deere Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 7:59 pm
I do agree about the voice – a surprisingly strong ‘rock’ mezzo-soprano. A rarity.
As for her image, she is only 17 so how can I judge her? I knew much less about who I was at that age, let alone who I wanted to be. Kudos to her.
I think she’s trying to fit in too much with that music video. Bad Romance came to mind for some reason when I watched it. Music isn’t bad, but she needs to find something that will make her stick out and not blend in…
I do think she has talent, I just wish that she could rely on that talent instead of on sex appeal.
Doe Deere Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 7:57 pm
The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive. :) I think a woman has the right to express her sexuality however she likes.
Ew. Awful makeup, smoking to ruin her vocals in an attempt to seem cool, completely un-articulate; not that she gives a shit about any of that, OF COURSE. Any interview I’ve come across with her in magazines I read is just her pointing out how she’s such an “edgy hardcore rockstar”, and “look at me! I smoke and wear lingerie in public and refuse to wear pants because I’m SUCH an individual! I’m not a rolemodel, I don’t give a flying fuck what your kids do fuck you all I’m fucking hardcore.” Etc.
I tried listening to her music, didn’t care for it in the slightest. Heard it all before, especially “you make me want to die”; constantly pissed off at the world teenage angst–been there, done that, except I was far beyond that by the time I turned 14.
She’s alienating the majority of her fans from GG (dressing in a manner which many would deem “slutty”, smoking, badmouthing everything and everyone, acting like a spoiled brat in general, talking about her sex toys in interviews), so once she’s off that completely, after a year or two, nobody will be talking about her. I’m all for being liberal and open about one’s sexuality (I definitely don’t support the slut-shaming she’s receiving for dressing “like a whore”), but with such a piss-poor attitude, I just cannot take her seriously.
I haven’t really paid attention to her music, but I actually like her voice! ‘My Medicine’ is killer.
Thanks for helping me discover another artist Doe! :)
Doe Deere Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Glad you liked it, Carmella! My Medicine reminds me of The White Stripes, another band that I love. :)
im just not a fan at all. i dont care that shes young, a girl, or barely dressed, i just dont like her or the music.there are some girls out there who can growl and rock out like crazy, but i cant really consider her as one. it all looks and feels so fake. no offense to anyone who likes her though.And did the classy dinner table make anyone else think of ratt’s round and round? haha i kept looking for a cross dressing elderly gentleman.
I am so disappointed that you would support this little girl, who insists on presenting herself like a whore. She is 16 years old, and the fact that you say that “she’s the real deal” becuase she performs while smoking and dressing like she is working at the Bunny Ranch, is no less appaling. this girl is NOTHING to aspire too and she is a horrible role model to young girls everywhere. I expected more from you, since you pride yourself on being a positive role model. I would never in a million years, let my daughters come into contact with anything that this Taylor Momsen girl touches, they might catch the slutty virus
Doe Deere Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Aren’t you being a little judgmental here, Petunia? I don’t know Taylor personally, but something tells me that being an actress & working like an adult since a young age matures a person, and her 17 is like a normal person’s 24. I don’t see anything wrong with a young woman expressing her sexuality, either. Oh well, I guess we’ll have to agree to disagree on this one. :)
I can’t say I’m digging her. I rummaged through some of her songs, and it just sounded like a teenage girl trying to be badass when she’s not. Sorry, dark make-up, blatant sexuality, and loud music don’t make you cool, it has to come from the inside- you have it or you don’t. That’s that.
Also, how is it even legal for a 16 year old to parade around like she does? Aren’t there’s laws against this stuff? It just feels like a step below child prostituting to me. Call me old-fashioned, but I just think it’s all kinds of messed up to have kids chuck themselves into adulthood so quickly- especially since so many tend to regret it later in life, especially girls.
I much prefer the girls of Lacuna Coil, Echoes of Eternity, Nightwish (Both of them), Arch Nemesis (Angela is the Goddess of Badass Rock Chicks in my book, God she can roar!). Oh, and Emilie Autumn, she’s the bomb. (These are justt he one’s I can think of off the top of my head- I like plent other female singers.)
Taylor does have a nice voice though, and I won’t deny that if she finds her real inner badass and starts dishing out (what I feel is) better, more thought out music, I’d totally give her another chance.
The two don’t have to be mutually exclusive. :) I think a woman has the right to express her sexuality however she likes.
I do agree about the voice – a surprisingly strong ‘rock’ mezzo-soprano. A rarity.
As for her image, she is only 17 so how can I judge her? I knew much less about who I was at that age, let alone who I wanted to be. Kudos to her.
Haha, what, like we’ve never seen a stripper heel before? :) I think she is trying to be provocative, it’s still a performance. I appreciate all sorts of art – clean, offensive, prudish, provocative. Hers is definitely the latter.
Adding to my first comment; I have to say, i’m not getting a lot of passion from her, when she sings, I can’t help but think it’s just an act, I don’t know what it is. For me she just doesn’t have the edge that courtney, jimmy urine, till lindemann, ville valo have, all my fave rock stars! when they perform, I know they mean business.
Adding to my first comment; I have to say, i’m not getting a lot of passion from her, when she sings, I can’t help but think it’s just an act, I don’t know what it is. For me she just doesn’t have the edge that courtney, jimmy urine, till lindemann, ville valo have, all my fave rock stars! when they perform, I know they mean business.
Kristabelle Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 8:43 pm
The thing is, this is her first band, and she’s 17, so of course she doesn’t have everything figured out yet.
Kristabelle Reply:
September 3, 2010 at 8:46 pm
There’s a lot more passion in her live performances:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU9fvv9fFa8
Rhia Reply:
September 4, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Thanks :-)
i dont think there similer at all
I have to admit i do like her voice, and i like the grungey type feel to her image and music. I can agree that it is shocking to see someone so young in corsets and heels. However i do not know the girl and am not going to jump to rash conclusions on why she looks the way she does. I can only hope she is not just one of those wayward youth trying to be something to impress everyone, and on the inside have no idea who they really are and just latch on to the first trendy thing that appeals to them in order to get some press. the big issue i think she will have is actually her acting career, for some reason everyone who acts thinks they can sing. I know it is starting to get on peoples nerves because usually they cannot. She is on Gossip girl and i may be making too bold of a statement, but anyone who works on a show about a bunch of immature teenage drama is going to have a hard time being taking seriously as a Rock and Roll artist. To me, someone as raw as Courtney Love would kick her ass for even trying to call herself rock. Kids who are apart of the Alternative Sub culture hate the teenage gossip queens that go to their high school, and have their life revolve around drama. Who’s dating who, who is pregnant, who is a whore, who is a virgin. Alternative kids are usually drawn to the music in their first place because real talented rock bands Like Tool, System of a Down, and even older ones like The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix talked about the important things in life, asking important questions like Why are we here? What is life about? Politics, emotions, things that matter in the real world. Any kids who think this way will look at Taylor Momsen, see that she is just some Hollywood poster child and give her the finger. Her acting career will cause her to never get truly taken seriously. Maybe she will make friends with 3OH3, but i think that is her best bet.
Sniper Reply:
September 4, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Lol this comment reminds me of how “anti-conformist” a lot of “alternative” types claim to be…and then just end up conforming to something else that they make up.
I like those rock bands, have a profound appreciate for metal, and I like Taylor as well. And yes, I watch GG. Am I ~alternative~? Who cares, but at least I don’t take things as seriously and black-and-white as you seem to.
Mia Reply:
September 5, 2010 at 8:09 pm
I think you missed my point i do not claim to be alternative and actually, i did mention that i like her.what i was actually saying was i do not think her target audience will take her very seriously. But thank you for misreading my comment then proceeding to insult me.
First impressions are everything.
I like her music, but she’s pushing her “I’m so edgy and original and everyone else is full of bullsh*t” attitude.
i agree with everything you just said. there is a way to be “raw” or whatever she’s trying to be, and it does not have to involve looking like a literal sex worker.
When I first found out one of the Gossip Girls was starting a music career, I automatically assumed it would be yet another series of overly kitschy, overly auto-tuned, pop tracks with absolutely no trace of raw talent other than expert lip-syncing skills.
But I must say I’m quite impressed. I love the gruffness in her voice. I think it has a lot of potential and versatility.
Yeah I gave her a hard time in the past, but then I had to remember she’s 17, and I realized she’s actually a lot like I was when I was 17. I wasn’t into costumes yet (I didn’t get into fashion until I was 20), but she’s a lot like those of us who were very rebellious and into music.
Doe Deere Reply:
September 4, 2010 at 7:52 am
Yep! I see a lot of myself in her as well, except I didn’t have the balls to wear lingerie (or whatever the hell I wanted) in public yet. :) I did it in my early 20s, and now, in my almost-30s, I see no point in expressing myself that way.
There is a time and place for everything, and I think what she does is VERY age-appropriate as far as I’m concerned. It reflects what the modern 17 year olds are like perfectly – at least the rebellious ones of us.
blepharisma Reply:
September 4, 2010 at 4:30 pm
Yeah, I agree with this. I did that look in my early 20′s, too. Didn’t have the guts when I was 17, otherwise I probably would have!
I like the music, and as for any awkwardness you feel about her image, I think it’s just because she’s new at being able to project herself in her image (actors aren’t really encouraged to do that), and she’s just getting started. Give her some time, and experience, to really sink into herself as a musician and performer and we’ll see what evolves.
I’ve heard heaps of things about her having a bad attitude, etc. But even so, I kind of love her.
I have to say I’m impressed with her voice…but thats it.
I like her music. The lyrics are good and her voice is awesome. I love that she’s a lower register than most. Her…I don’t dig as much. You can express your sexuality without prancing about in lingerie and stripper heels. Her image just seems very contrived and a total Courtney Love rip-off from the ratty blonde hair to the over-done makeup. Drawing inspiration from someone is cool, copying them is not. I wouldn’t even compare her with Emily and Demi. Taylor is a different breed altogether with a different style of music.
I like her look, but I don’t really care, cause I just love her music!
She does have a pretty great voice… But honestly, this video is just wrong. I must say I’m surprised you speak so highly of her. I’m not trying to pick a fight, it’s just that I don’t like her at all. I don’t see why I should be lenient because of her age, her trying to make it to the industry and blah blah blah. Music is a grand passion of mine, and there are many rock bands I absolutely adore. But Momsen is just too young for this.
She is dressed like a slut, there’s no way around it. And I do agree that there are different kinds of art, each beautiful in its own way, but the problem is, while the video alone might have worked if it was slightly less over-the-top, the girl herself does everything and anything to attract attention. And no, this image she has now is a year or so old. I remember when GG started I thought she was so beautiful, and she had a great style back then too. Now all I see is a boring teen. I understand that 16 is the age when you try out styles, but even Miley Cyrus, former sweet angel Hannah Montana who turned into a very punkish-rock performer has managed to keep her dignity. At least part of it…
My point is, you don’t have to wear lingerie in public or smoke or sport the raccoon eye in order to be provocative. Isn’t Katy Perry in all her sweetness very sexy and occasionally mildly offensive? But she is at least old enough to understand her actions. Momsen on the other hand… I mean, seriously Doe, if it was your child up there would you be proud? The reason rumors of a crappy childhood and drugs follows around the rock scene is because when you crave attention and do anything to get it, most likely you were deprived of it as a child. A girl from a happy household wouldn’t feel the need to make a spectacle of herself half-naked every time she went out.
Again, not trying to be offensive… just sharing my opinion. Even if a little strongly… :)
Doe Deere Reply:
September 4, 2010 at 8:09 am
Great question, Ruby. If Taylor was my 17 year old daughter, she would’ve probably grown up in New York (which Taylor did, so it’s not that big of a stretch). My friend Voltaire once said of his son: “Mars is a New York 11 year old – which everywhere else makes him about 14″. The kind of things you’re exposed to here, you mature faster in this environment – I know I did.
Second thing to take into the account is that my daughter Taylor would have been flying between the two coasts working in the movie industry with grown-ups every day all through her childhood and teens, and earning her own money. This, again, matures you far beyond your years, and having that kind of discipline inspires respect. You cannot treat someone like that as a child, because they aren’t… they are a warped mix of a kid and an adult in one awkward body.
So if on her 16th birthday my daughter decided to be a dirty rock star, it wouldn’t come as a surprise – because that’s exactly what I did when I was 17! I know all about stage antics (they are not real) and as a mother, I would only worry if my child got drunk till she puked every night and shot up heroin – of which there is no evidence. As far as I know, she is a hard-working teen who is juggling two very intense careers. Damn, girl!
Cara Reply:
September 4, 2010 at 8:40 am
Doe, you rock. :D
Ruby Reply:
September 4, 2010 at 6:00 pm
I can see your point, and as far as the industry image goes, I agree, it’s nothing but an image. But still, even if you did go into the rock scene yourself, you didn’t adopt the style that must come with said image that we talked about (drugs, sluts, etc) right? There’s a difference between having an artistic vision and try to make it come to life, and try earning attention through that. I actually read that Lady GaGa herself is a very down-to-earth person in her everyday life. If the queen of crazy can separate the two, I really can’t see why Momsen shouldn’t.
And on your other point, while I do agree that working from a very young age makes a person mature far beyond their years, you are forgetting the fame that follows teenage stars. Everyday teens are hard enough to deal with as their heads are always in the clouds, for someone as well-known as Taylor Momsen it must be virtually impossible to believe she is not above rules. I don’t like rules, they are simply society’s way of caging people, but there are ethics we follow not because we are forced to, but because we want to. Style and attitude come from within a person, and no matter how old you get, the foundation of who you are is build as a child and never changes. (boy am I getting carried away)
I really don’t like or appreciate girls with no talent who are rich and famous simple because a company chose to promote and image like crazy. Momsen has talent, I’ll give her that, a great voice, but I simply don’t see why I should like her as a person. I am aware that if you don’t know someone you really can’t have an opinion, but when it comes to public faces we all do – we can’t help it.
I did get a little carried away by the subject, and I apologize for any offense… It’s just that Taylor Momsen reminds me of a lot of girls I knew personally, who threw away every single trait that made them special in order to fit in, make an impression, and so on and so forth. I knew a girl once who was a hard-core goth ever since she was… 10, maybe? For all the time we talked, she never changed, not once, despite the awful comments going her way by ignorant, close-minded people. She did do provocative things very often and everybody else who didn’t know her judged her. Maybe I shouldn’t judge Momsen, or any other Momsen, or I’ll become like them…
Huh. Big revelation here. I can’t say I like her… But maybe I don’t have to dislike her for simple being different than what I’m used to. Maybe you’re right Doe… we really shouldn’t be so easy to judge people.
I feel awful now. Excuse me while I go sulk in my little dark corner.
Doe Deere Reply:
September 5, 2010 at 2:17 am
Don’t feel bad for expressing your opinion, Ruby – I actually think you’re one of the more respectful commenters on the blog. :) Seeing things a certain way based on your personal experiences (such as knowing those other girls who aimed to fit in) is understandable. I don’t blame you for not liking Taylor – an artist either resonates with you or doesn’t, there are plenty of artists that I personally don’t like!
sarah Reply:
September 4, 2010 at 8:24 pm
I’m from NYC too, and not everyone is exposed to stuff that matures you faster. I haven’t, and in fact, aren’t you the opposite? In the past, you’ve regressed into a childlike Candyfuture state that is more innocent right?
And it seems like Taylor didn’t grow up in NY until high school. And while I do agree somewhat that women can express their sexuality, holding back is not a bad thing either.
Doe Deere Reply:
September 5, 2010 at 2:24 am
I do think that growing up in the city you learn to act like an adult earlier – who hasn’t ridden the subway on their own at 12? In most places that’s unthinkable, but here it’s a reality.
I liked that you mentioned Candyfuture, because it made me think. I’ve always been more mature than my peers but still somehow drawn to all things childlike and fantastical. I think it was not because I was a child inside, but as a conscious choice.
Definitely nothing wrong with holding back one’s sexuality – I won’t lie, I am a total prude and proud of it! At the same time, I don’t care if others chose to use it, especially in an interesting way.
I think Taylor’s music is alright, but anyone claiming she’s “unpretentious” needs to look at an interview or two of hers.
I remember she described her album as being about “drugs, love, sex, death, religion and politics” or something along those lines. What the hell does a sixteen year old know about drugs, love, sex, death, religion and politics? And in every interview I’ve ever read with her she finds some way to incorporate the fact that she doesn’t “give a fuck” about what anyone thinks of her, that the music industry today is “shit”, that she isn’t a “fucking role model” (of course all with the most vulgar language her sixteen year old mind can muster)…. that plus the cigarette smoking, the constant pout, the copious amounts of black eyeliner, and the need to wear the most provocative clothes from the Hot Topic bargain bin, make me think that she is, in fact, trying ridiculously hard to seem “badass” and “rock’n'roll.” Really it’s making her look like a completely pretentious cliché.
I thought the music was pretty good.The only thing I found slightly annoying is that she would always look up at an angle lol. She would never just look STRAIGHT at it!!! (it did look kind of cool though) lol Still, I think her vocals are much better than the new rock n roll Miley Cyrus (ewwww)
I appreciate her music, style, etc.
I also think all the whiners here are just bitter and jaded 20/30-something status-obsessed hipsters who just don’t like to see someone doing what they want without their approval/control.
I’m really into her music and style. I read a recent interview with her and she was pretty clueless about some stuff like most teens but that doesn’t deter me from enjoying her art.
I don’t think people should have to fit a certain image or persona just because of their age. 17 is not that young and there are plenty of artists out there around her age or just a couple of years older that make amazing music that doesn’t reflect their “youngness” at all – their age just shouldn’t be a judgment criteria. And if you think about it, if your dream is to make music, then you would probably be getting started by this age, anyway. I don’t think of young stars like Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber as necessarily “normal” because they are so clean-cut and Disney-ish, when most 17-year-olds or whatever aren’t actually like that. Just ’cause you’re young or you were on a show like Gossip Girls you can’t be a rock musician? Come on. I like Taylor’s look in this video and I don’t find it scandalous or “inappropriate for her age” (she’s 17, not 13!), I love the rock-girl attitude. Bottom line, she can do whatever she wants. Just because she’s not exactly the same as Miley Cyrus and other popular young artists out there doesn’t mean she should get smack.
Wait.
What does she have to be angsty about? What – did Forever 21 run out of her favorite pair of skinny jeans? Please.
Based on the few songs and videos I have heard/seen, I actually like Taylor Momsen as a singer. I think she has a good voice–much better than a lot of the actresses who try to cross over to music. I think her lyrics are decently well-written, too. She has definite sex-appeal, but I don’t find her to be overly-provocative. Yes, she has a penchant for wearing lingerie, but she is also relatively covered up (it’s just short). I think because lingerie is associated with sex, wearing it in a public setting makes the wearer appear slutty. I’ve seen plenty of teenage girls in mainstream society wearing just as little (or less). I think the difference in perception lies in the association, though.
If Taylor is smoking, it’s not going to make her look anymore rock and roll. It’s going to RUIN her vocal cords and cut her career short. I don’t think smoking makes her look anymore rock and roll. I don’t see how it is associated with being edgy and punk. I think her music is good, but smoking isn’t going to do her any favors.