Paramore Review!
Paramore's self titled album was released in April 2013 and it completely blew me away! I've always had to kind of like..learn how to love their previous albums. They've had two or three really good songs that I've fallen in love with instantly, but the rest, well, I've always had to listen a couple more times to actually realize that it is awesome.
However, hearing the release os their first single Now got me really excited for the album. It was a brand new sound for them. The sound reminded me a lot of My Chemical Romance latest album and the video and message was perfect. Listening through the whole album it is almost like you hear a therapy session that the band went through after Josh and Zac left the band. Starting off with the song Fast in My Car, Hayley sings; "Been through the ringer a couple times I came out callous and cruel And my true friends know this very well Because they went through it too." I believe this is a clear statement on how the band felt when Josh and Zan released their story on why they were leaving, calling the band "manufactured". As for the sound it's a bit more to the punk-rock side comparing to their previous records. There's a hint of sarcasm and that in-your-face attitude that I personally feel the band hasn't had before. Moving along to the third song of the album (since I've already discussed Now). Grow Up is probably my favorite song off of this album. The first line is just so get out of my way and stay there. There's no anger in Hayley's voice, but it is so powerful and grown up. The song is a classic struggling band without support kind of song, which pretty much all of the pop/punk punk/rock and all other subgenres of rock have written their own version of. What's special with this song is that it's relatable. That idea that you're in a band and you feel like you're stuck in the same place doesn't really apply to me, or the vast majority of their fans. BUT, I can relate to the fact that people doubted me when I said I was moving overseas. The added synth in the end of the song is a very nice touch to the rest of the song. Daydreaming, I would say is very positive song, even though you can hear the melancholy in Hayley's singing. The slow beginning that builds up to the fast pace verse that sticks in your head for days is somewhat similiar to when you get to the most yummy part of the pie. The song continues its fast pace after the first verse and continues throughout the song until it finally breaks down in the bridge.
Interlude: Moving On is one of three interludes in the album and it's also got that sarcastic "I could care less" vibe. It goes really well with the ukulele. A perfect mismatch. Ain't It Fun is probably one of the most original songs on the album, in the pond. Hayley gets her sass on and tells it like it is. There's no need to dwell on the past and crying about it won't help. The song has a slight blues/jazz/church mixed with pop punk sound that's so catchy! The choir part is by far the best part in the song, especially the ending when Hayley repeats "ain't it fun" and there's no music and then BOOM! The music comes back. The beginning of Part II has a 80/90's vibe to it. It sound a bit like Roxette, Savage Garden or Eurythmitics. For a fan who's been following this band for a long time, they most likely picked up on the reference back to the song Let the Flames Begin from Riot. "What a shame, what a shame we all remained. Such fragile broken things." Part II "What a shame, what a shame we all became Such fragile broken things." This was very clever. Many artist and bands re-use some of their lyrics or just a saying that they found clever, but Paramore, in this song, is trying to prove that even having changed their attitude, songwriting and sound they are sometimes still lost. Fans who were disappointed with this album probably still really like this song since the sound and lyrics are very melancholy and is like an echo of Brand New Eyes. This song is very special to the album in my opinion. Their sound is nothing like their old one and niether are their lyrics, so this song makes the album very diverse. There's something for everyone to enjoy in this album! Last Hope starts off slow and goes directly into what the song is all about. There's always hope, even if it's the last one. Even if it's just a spark, it's enough and don't forget that. This song follows in the footsteps of Part II. It's similar to the sound and feeling of Brand New Eyes, but with a hint of their new sound and attitude. Still Into You was their second single off their new album and probably the one that is so far from anything they've ever done. many fans were surprised to hear this song come from the band. It's all butterflies, cottoncany and rainbows and I have to confess that I have spent entire days dancing to this song. I am not ashamed. It's the most poppy song the band has ever produced and it's about what we all love to love and love to hate. That's right; love.
To all of you out there with a significant other, if you are like me and you look at the person and wonder "how the hell did I get so lucky?" this song is for you. The song talks about how a relationship isn't always easy, but sometimes it is worth everything. I must say they choose the perfect time to release their album. This song gives off that newly in-love, spring-fling kind of feeling. The video was all pastel and baloons and happy. This is what I like most about this song. It's happy. The band has gone through so much but they still manage to see what's most important. What I would like to know; Heyley... did you write this for your beloved man perhaps? I'm on to you!) Anklebiters is my second favorite song off of this album. It's strong, powerful, punk rock, in your face and independant. This, like the interludes, have a mismatch with the lyrics/singing and the music. It's mostly SKA bands who use this. The fun up-beat music along with mean/sarcastic lyrics. Paramore does this extremely well in Anklebiters. The song is fast and has an abrupt ending, which suits it well. I can only phantom how it will look like live with Hayley going all out. Interlude: Holiday is the second interlude on this album. The ukulele is back! I love ukulele. It's an instrument we've seen more and more of in pop punk. It can be easily over-used, but using it for these short interludes are very clever! Once again the song is very sarcastic in that sort of brush your shoulders off kind of way. Proof is like a follow up to Still Into You. It's not as poppy as Still Into You and if we see it as a story it's like a glimpse into a relationship. There's nothing more important than trust, especially in a relationship. It destroys jealousy and keeps people together. You can actually feel the emotion when Hayley sings, which I think is something we see less and less with new bands. The music is following in the bands new direction with being a positive happy band. Hate to See Your Heart Break feels a bit off after hearing the lovey-dovey songs Still Into You and Proof. Even though this is somewhat of a sad song, it still has that new sound Paramore's working with. It's not anything like Brand New Eyes, Riot or All We Know is Falling. What's different with this song is that you can twist it. Usually, a "break-up" song is from the victims perspective, but this can be seen from either the person breaking up or from a third persons point of view. (One of Those) Crazy Girls is probably Overly Obsessed Girlfriend's theme song. I'm surprised I haven't seen her do a cover on this yet....Anyway! This song is so perfect in so many ways, I don't really know where to start. The beginning has this 50/60's feeling to it and you can really see the whole scene play out infront of you if you close your eyes. Then the song jumps into hyperspace and destroys the goddamn deathstar with its fast riffs and powerful singing. It still keeps that 50/60's feeling. I bet most of us have been there, broken up with and just asking why and acting a bit desperate. I would love to see this as their next single and them doing a version of the movie Grease to this song. Interlude: I'm Not Angry Anymore is probably the song that's gotten stuck in my head the most. The only thing I don't like about it is that it's too short. I want more! Going back to Fast in My Car, this song gives off the feeling of the band still being upset about Zac and Josh, but realizing it's better to just leave it. Even though it was some time ago and they've let it go, it will still always be present and there's nothing wrong with being angry. And yay! Ukulele! Be Alone is a pretty normal song if you compare it to the rest of the album. I would'nt say it is as unique as the rest of the songs, but it is still a very good song. The song is a fast pop punk song with the phrase "we could be alone/you should be alone with me" repeating over and over. We all get that feeling of wanting to be alone with someone, without anyone else disturbing us. Future is the last song of the album and it's a very good one to end with. They started off this album with a fast-pace song and ending it with a slow one. All that rage and reminicing in Fast In My Car, Now, Grow Up, Part II and Anklebiters is left behind when the lyrics in Future comes forth. Think of your future. I'd say this is exactly what Paramore has done, and as a fan I couldn't be more happy or proud of them. The album as a whole has all the elements a good album needs. It's like a smorgasbord (smörgåsbord in Swedish, look it up). It has something everyone will like. Hayley's voice is more powerful than ever and we can hear and see the new found strength in the band. Despite the fact that many doubted them when two of the founding members of the band left, they managed to get through and create what I would say is their best album yet. I tip my hat to you, Paramore. A five out of five.
