#paramore review

[this-is-a-music-blog]

Hard Times - Paramore

At last we have heard from Paramore! Early this morning the “genreless” band released their first music since self-titled album in 2013. The single, called “Hard Times,” is vastly different from their more well-known albums like Riot! and Brand New Eyes but it does follow the direction that this band has been headed for a couple years now. With a new lineup, and an updated aesthetic, this Tennessee based trio is hitting the pavement once again with what feels like their most colorful, pop-infused album yet. 

I will admit that, at first, the album art threw me for a massive loop. The band’s Twitter account, as well as those of its members, had all updated their display pictures with an edited tease of the artwork a few days prior to its release and the final version was let loose at the same time as the single-- both images carry completely different vibes. I first thought that maybe Paramore had gone full vaporwave, abandoning their punk roots in favor of a more modern feel. That didn’t end up being true but I do still hate the album art. (But that’s beside the point.)

The song itself, I’ll be honest I teared up a little when I first heard it. Paramore has only recently become an important band in my life and I’m finally getting to experience a FULL album cycle with them. Its exciting! Because I devoured their entire discography in a few months in 2014, I got a concentrated version of the changes they’ve gone through since “Misery Business” exploded onto the scene in 2007. That being said, this kind of sound for them was inevitable. It carries the same punchy guitars and funky bass lines that first showed up in “Ain’t It Fun,” as well as the trademark intricate percussion that goes all the way back to their first release All We Know Is Falling, but there’s a newness to the lyrical flow and overall sense of the song that hasn’t been heard from this band before. If you’re a fan of groups like Saint Motel, or Manhattan based Mainland, or maybe even The Black Keys, this song has something for you.  

As for the video-- I’m in love. There are some odd moments in it that keep it from being my favorite but it’s definitely in my top 25 (including all 12 of Fall Out Boy’s Young Blood Chronicles as numbers 1 - 12). It’s bright. It’s pop art. It reminds me of All Time Low’s new “Last Young Renegade” video but in a different, more pastel way. The bottom line is that Paramore is back, they’re fresh, and they’re taking the world by storm once again. 

[auberginedrms]

Album Anniversary: Paramore - Riot!

Released: June 12, 2007

As the forerunner of female-led punk pop groups, Paramore has been riding high for 10 years since the release of their sophomore album, Riot!. This rapid rise to fame can be attributed to the sheer energy and passion that Paramore bleeds on almost every song on the album. Mixed with this youthful energy is the passion and emotion to back it – songs like “Hallelujah” and “Miracle” showcase this directly, the drive and passion Paramore has for the music they make. The true star of the record is lead singer Hayley Williams’ soaring vocals. Her tone is controlled, letting loose at the emotional peak of each track and demonstrating the raw feeling she is putting into each song. To me, this is what has truly pushed Paramore into the limelight. Not only is Williams a frontrunner for women’s representation in a male-dominated music scene, but her immense talent as a singer and songwriter make her basically untouchable. Overall, the album is incredibly solid; my only complaint is that there isn’t more of it.

Rating: ★★★★☆

For Fans Of: Tonight Alive, The Academy Is..., Hey Monday

Listen To: “Hallelujah”, “Misery Business”, “Let The Flames Begin”

[swhisted]

Music Friday Song #5: Paramore – “Part II” 

This one requires a somewhat lengthy comment as its part of the long awaited new album and I’d like to say something about it as a whole. 

In the past my favorite Paramore tracks have always been heavy and fast paced, tracks like, “Emergency,” “Pressure,” and “Brick by Boring Brick” just to name a few. It’s not to say I didn’t also love the slow, pretty songs like, “The Only Exception” and “All I Wanted,” it’s just that I’m drawn more to a fast paced tempo. There was always something really powerful about Hayley scream-singing her heart out that made me want to join in. 

The heavy on this album is different and has less of a presence as a whole than it has in the past. Where it was once raw and rough around the edges, it’s now moody and methodical (think: O’Brother). In truth, so far my favorite track on the album is “Future” for how mellow and soft it begins and how ruggedly deep it ends. 

But overall, this album feels different. It’s cheery, like perfect summer music. The kind of music that when you see it performed live, you can almost guarantee some form of dancing will go down. Perhaps it’s a reflection of where they are in their lives and if so, that’s great because their happiness is evident in the more bouncy track list. 

I’ve seen both sides of the love/hate reviews for this album and from the standpoint of a longtime lover of Paramore, I admit that I do miss the old heavy/fast tracks, but their absence doesn’t take anything away from their talent for me. I still never feel compelled to skip a track on this album, just like all the others, and that’s why they’ll continue to be one of my favorite bands. 

If I was rating this album, I’d give it 5 out of 5 stars just like all the others, it’s just for different reasons this time and that’s okay with me. 

An aside: I am a bit miffed about these two bonus tracks that were released exclusively on the Japanese album. I want to understand how an American band gives bonus tracks to another country and not the place they came from. I’m sure it was a record label decision and not the actual band members who decided this, but it makes no sense to me. And it disappoints me greatly because I’m all about having those tracks, but can’t. It’s just not very fair, in my opinion. 

[kiwithejournalist-blog-blog]

Album Review: Brand New Eyes - Pamamore.

Paramore released their latest and now 3rd album in late September 2009 at Lightning Sound Studios, California. The long awaited album by fans is a real piece of artwork, From the first song to the last. No surprise when they picked up the Kerrang! awards 2010 for best album award. It topped the charts in many countries across the world including Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the United Kingdom, making it the band's highest charting album to date. The album is a most definite charmer

When comparing this album to Paramores other two albums (All we know is falling) and (Riot!) The band have seemed to of found their real sound after searching for it for so long. the band has finally matured and turned the album into an angry, twisted piece of artwork. There's more ear loving riffs, dramatic build ups, and Hayley Williams (Front woman and Singer) has showed of her new vocal range, going as high as mount everest in some songs. This album surely shows off every instrument in a very high rated way.

'Careful', the first song on the album, is a great song to start everything off with, With a dramatic build until the song starts,the fantastic drum fills, high distorted guitar but with still reminisces off clean in some parts. Its William's voice that really brings this song together, with lyrics that have meaning behind every word, and her vocal range going up and down yet hitting every note on the way out. There are so many angry and reckless songs in this album, for example 'Playing God' the second track contains lyrics such as 'You don't deserve a point of view' and 'Next time you point your finger i might have to bend it backward and break it off' Although this song is very angry, it doesn't disappoint the fans with the pop-rock genre, still keeping everything catching and interesting, if anything, Paramores new found anger is a bonus to this album. It shows teens that its okay to be angry and to have other emotions, Fans can relate to their music and know that there not on their own and other people go through what they've been through. There are so much more anger related songs in the album, one that really stands out is 'Ignorance'. This song was released before the album came out as a taster, and it definitely showed fans what the album was about. Ignorance lyrics contain sentences such as 'you treat me just like another stranger', 'Ignorance is your new best friend' and 'Im just a person but you can take it'. Ignorance definitely shows the world the story behind the bands music and problems they have faced in the past. Other songs like 'Feeling sorry' and 'Turn it off' Are full of hatred and anger too. but all These furious songs each have their own dependency, and are individual in every aspect, Showering fans with new catchy tunes that they will want to put on there iPods striaght away.

Although i have already stated the album is full of anger, There are a few other songs that cancel out the hatred. Such as 'The only expection' William's wrote this song about her love and relationships. This song is a real softie, with even people who are not paramore fan wanting to sing along. The soft acoustic guitar really stands out and plays throughout the whole song. Its only until after the first chorus that more instruments are introduced, With the bass line bringing it all in, and a soft tambourine tap to keep the whole tempo. In the second chorus the drums come in, but its still subtle, with light taps on the symbols and delightful drum fills. Hayley William's voice really does make the song beautiful, it no wonder it paramore biggest hit from the album. The other soft song in the album is 'Misguided Ghosts' The two guitar riffs play throughout the whole song in time and fitting perfectly, This is definatly the softest song in the albums, And to me, has to be the most beautiful. With lyrics that really hit the heart and the vocals making the lyrics even better. This song really does show Paramore's potential, and that there not just heavy distorted guitars that make noise.

The more happier songs in the album has got to be 'Looking up' and 'Where the lines overlap' These two songs are fun to listen and jump around too. You can definatly belt these tunes out where-ever you are. With lyrics such as 'I got a feeling if i sing this loud enough, you would sing it back to me' Really interacting with the fans and a definate hype up to play at their gigs.

However, the song that does it for me in the album is 'All i wanted'. This song truly is its own master piece. William's Vocals are incredible and she can really hit those high notes. The instruments make this song really dramatic, With only the guitar in the beginning, then they build up for the bass and drums to cut in. The chorus really makes your ears happy with Williams belting out the highs. At one point in the song, there is such a massive build up, That suddenly the music cuts out, and we hear Williams sing 'All i wanted was you!' So loud and high that I'm sure she could break glasses if she wanted too. The drum fills are incredible as always and always coming in at the right time. This song truly gives you goosebumps everywhere.

Overall i give Brand New Eyes a 10/10 and has to be in my list of 5 top albums of all time. Paramore never seems to disappoint me. This band is definitely becoming a household name in many countries across the world, and have worked so hard to get where they are today.