Paramore has finally come back with a full album since Brand New Eyes in 2009. Their self titled album is the first album without the Farro brothers (Zac and Josh Farro were the guitarist/backing vocalist and drummer respectively for Paramore before they left the band). Let me preface my review by saying that I have been waiting for this album to come out for a while now, and I am sincerely excited to hear these songs. I didn't know what to expect with the album because of Paramore stated this album won't sound like Riot! and that is something I saw coming because all bands change and grow musically. As far as the review goes, I shall review each song individually, and then the album as a whole at the end.
1. Fast in my car-The drums on this track sound very loud and prominent. Lyrically, this song is a song for the fans, telling them that Paramore has changed and that they want a new sound, which is what this album is. "We've got our riot gear on, but we just want to have fun." It shows that they want to enjoy their music and make sure it doesn't become a monotonous process. (I recall reading an interview where Hailey said that the band for the previous three albums followed a formula of sorts, and they wanted to deviate from that and make the music writing process seem new and vibrant. I personally really like this track, especially as an opener. I'd give it a 7/10.
2. Now- This song was released as the first single of the album. I like the arrangement of the song. I will admit that when I heard this song the first time, I didn't like it. It didn't sound like the Paramore I adored during the Riot! album or the Brand New eyes era. I really liked the feel of this song as time went on. It is very clear that this is the single, based on the radio feel it gives off. It sounds like something that would come on the local rock station or something of the sort. Regardless, I give this song a 6/10. It has a nice feel to it, but at the same time it isn't my favorite track on the album. It sounds really over produced, but then again it's just a radio single, the rest of the album is what matters!
3. Grow Up- This track sounds very 311-like. The rhythm section in this song really makes it sound ten times better. It has a decent groove to it, and the lyrics flow really well on the track. I give this track a 7/10. I really like the bridge in this song and it transitions into the next part of the song very nicely. There isn't much to say about this track, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
4. Daydreaming- The beginning of this song reminds of something that would be on the Foo Fighter's most recent album, Wasting Light. The reason for this is that the drums get loud and everything sounds so heavy, but then they back off to develop suspense. The chorus has a very upbeat feel to it, and makes me want to move around. The bridge has an amazing build up, and the keys really add to it in a positive manner. The bass line in this song is really prominent and I like the sound of it. Lyrically the song is alright. 6.5/ 10
5. Interlude: Moving On- The first of three interludes. The mandolin gives this song a very Train- like feel to it. It feels weird to describe it this way, but I can kind of feel Hailey smiling as she sings this song. I like the chord pattern to this short interlude. It sounds so much more upbeat and cheery for some reason. 8/10
6. Ain't it fun- This is quite possibly one of my favorite tracks on the album. It has an insane groove to it and very Michael Jackson like. The way she places emphasis on the words is very reminiscent of the King of Pop himself. The chorus kicks in, and they sound like they sound like the good ol' Paramore I remember, but at the same time, they don't. Their style for this song is completely different and it makes them, and the track stand out. The choir in the bridge and outro is fantastic touch and it fit the song perfectly. The guitar solo fit perfectly under the choir in the outro without interfering or taking away from the choir. 9/10
7. Part II- The intro guitar part sounds a little bit muddled with the effects, but the bass makes up for it. I know I sound like a person who is only looking for the bass in these tracks, but it's because it's there. This album placed a lot more emphasis on the bass to keep the groove and feel of the song going. The chorus kicks in and the track sounds like something that should have came out of Riot! It sounds like the second half of "Let the Flames begin" from Riot! Hailey's vocals remind me of the lead vocalist of the band Fireflight, and that is definitely a good thing. The drum work in the bridge for Part II blew me away. It is so fast, yet so clean. Again, this is another one of the tracks that stands out. 9/10
8. Last Hope- This song is decently motivational, a song about let things happen, let the chips fall where they will kinda song. Nothing stands out about this song, but if a station played this song, I wouldn't switch it. 6/10
9. Still into you- This song sounds like something that would be on Brand New Eyes. The chorus is seriously catchy, and is currently stuck in my head. I like the fast strumming pattern that is in the background, it fills in the gaps for the bridge. This sounds really close to what Paramore was known for in terms of sounds and vocals. Hailey has strong vocals on this track. 7/10
10. Anklebiters- This track is purely driven by the bass and the bass drum. It pushes the song forward and make sure it stays on time. Lyrically, I really like this song. Hailey sings about being yourself and loving yourself, because you're all you've got in the world. Minus the keys, it sounds very punk rock like, especially for Paramore. The keys kind of grounded it, but at the same time added a new depth to the song, which really fit with the track as a whole. 8/10
11. Holiday (Interlude)- This interlude is just like the first interlude, mandolin with a bass track to back it up
12. Proof- In the chorus of the song, Hailey sounds a little bit country. Overall though, the track is very good musically and lyrically. The way the words are sung, the pattern essentially, is very different then other songs on this album, and other material that Paramore has released. I have listened to this track four times in a row so far, and it sounds a little bit better each time because I always hear something new. 6.5 / 10
13. Hate to see your heart break- Lyrically I really like this song. I like the message, and how Hailey gets it across and how she relates to people in similar situations. With that being said, I don't like the musical arrangement for this song, or how it was put together. I feel it would have been better as an acoustic song with piano and a soft drum beat in the back. Lyrically 8/10, musically 4/10
14. (One of those) Crazy Girls- I love the way the song is arranged. The soft, acoustic intro, followed by a brief pause, and then it just comes in with the full band. Lyrically the song is alright. Essentially talks about how she couldn't get over a guy she was with. I really like the way the song sounds though! It's just something about it, it's difficult to describe. 7/10
15. I'm not Angry anymore (Interlude)- My least favorite interlude. Strictly vocals and mandolin, which is never a bad thing. I just don't like it lyrically, in comparison to the other two interludes that is. /10
16. Be alone- A great rock track. The drums in the bridge are amazing and really shows off his ability as a drummer. I personally like the guitar riff a lot in this song for some reason, maybe cause it sounds a little bit like Coheed and Cambria. The keys in the last chorus really fill out the highs in the song. I really like this song! 8/10
17. Future- The Final track! Took a lot longer than I thought it would to get to the end of this record. I like the natural feel of this record, such as the beginning where York and Hailey are talking. The build up for this song seems really natural and well laid out. It builds up with a fade in around the halfway mark. After listening to the full song, I don't quite understand why the faded out, just to fade back in. Either way it sounds very full and just in your face. 6/10
Full album review:
17 tracks. 63 minutes and 58 seconds of music. I honestly would rate this album a 6/10. Paramore came back from a four year hiatus, and I knew they wouldn't be the same band that left. Things had to have changed, both musically, structurally and physically. This album personally wasn't for me, but that doesn't mean it isn't for everyone else. I'm not really used to experimental music where everything changes for every song. I also don't like the lyrical content for a lot of the songs, which discussed how they were getting back together after their hiatus and talking about how they were going to change. In my opinion, it's cool to sing about that for two or three songs, but come on. It's been roughly three to four years since their last album, the lyrical content couldn't have changed. Nothing song- worthy happened in the last four years?
Although this album has a few rock/ pop rock tracks, it has something for everyone. There's a funk-ish track, a blues track, acoustic track, pop rock tracks etc. Overall, the album had its ups as well as its downs, but practically every album has that. I can't say that I would go back to listen to this album in full again in the near future, but I do like certain tracks like "Fast in my car", "Part II" and "Ain't It Fun" . and "Hate to see your heart break". The reason I compared Paramore and their songs to numerous other bands is because they said they found their sound, that this is what Paramore will sound like, and what they think the sound of Paramore is. I compared them to the bands because it makes it easier for the reader to get a gist as too what the song can sound like, or be similar to if they know of the the band being referenced. Also compared because the album is very experimental and varies across numerous genres, so it is tough to pinpoint what their "sound" is.
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