Band Of The Week #4- Paramore

History:
Coming as the fourth band of the week is Franklin, Tennessee's Paramore. They were originally formed back in 2003 with Hailey Williams on vocals, Josh Farro on lead guitar, Zac Farro on drums, Jeremy Davis on bass, and  Jason Bynum on rhythm guitar. Prior to this, Hailey had been in a funk cover band called The Factory with Jeremy Davis and a friend of theirs. Within their first band rehearsal, they felt that they were all on to something and that being a band could work. Record labels tried to get Hailey to become a pop star, but she was adamant and wanted to see where things would go with Paramore. In the end, they were signed to rock label Fueled by Ramen, a label they still reside on. Jeremy left the band shortly for personal reasons during the writing process of their debut album "All We Know Is Falling", and the band continued on, replacing him with John Hembree. Soon after, Jeremy came back and was reinstated into the band, but their rhythm guitar player Jason left, and was appropriately replaced by Hunter Lamb. They released their first album in 2005, but it didn't get very far with airplay. Music videos were produced and shot, but they did reach 30th place on the Billboard's Heatseekers chart.

They did grow with fame as time went on, and they played Warped Tours, and sold out headlining tours prior to their second album, Riot!. Hunter had left the band, forcing Josh Farro to record both rhythm and lead parts for the album, but Josh and Zac's old bandmate Taylor York quickly stepped into to play rhythm guitar, thus making the band a five piece once more. The album released in mid June and received a lot of attention. The album was named riot due to it's literal definition which is "a sudden outburst of uncontrolled emotions". The album went Platinum and they were rated Best Band of 2007 by various critics.

Their third album release, Brand New Eyes, was different in comparison to their first two albums. It was released that Hailey had been dating Josh Farro, and they broke after, causing the lyrical content of this album to sound a bit more grittier and angrier than Riot!, as well as more emotional. The album was recorded in Nashville, which is their hometown, thus giving the band a cozier feel since they were in a surrounding they knew very well. The album was widely written in early 2009. The album went to be a Gold Record, Paramore's success continued. The band was starting to feel the pressure when recording this record due to the success of Riot! which went Platinum.

The Farro brothers left the band in 2010/2011 due to various reasons, many having to do with Hailey and how the band was an overproduced band created by a label. Many interviews were done with the remaining members of Paramore to sort of what was real and what wasn't when it came to the claims the Farro brothers made, specifically Josh Farro. The band went on a slight hiatus, although they did record the song "Monster" for the movie Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon. Then in 2013, Paramore announced and released their fourth album which was a self titled record.

My Thoughts:

Paramore has always been a fantastic band to me. I love the fact that there is a female singing because I don't really hear of too many females singing in a rock band. Her vocals are stellar and I am a big fan of all of their records, including their newest release. Although I was taken aback by it at first, the album has grown on me and I have come to appreciate how far Paramore has come since their debut release 8 years ago. The instrumentals may be a bit typical at times, but the band has a way to add little nuances that make me want to listen to them more. They're not the most technical band in the world, but to me, they are a fantastic rock band and I simply cannot wait for their next record.

Here are two of my favorite Paramore songs

Ignorance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxlzVQ-U4T4

Fences: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKZ66gl4Kr8

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Paramore- Album Review

This is my first album review, ever. I hope to have a better finalized format for reviews very soon.

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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Music's Image

Why does music have to have an image? Why do musicians have to look or act a certain way to get a record label? What is with the stereotypes that rock stars have to do drugs, and have lots of sex, or the stigma that all country artists wear cowboy hats and the whole cowboy, lone ranger shebang? This concept is one of the most annoying things I see when I see how record labels sign artists; by their "image."

Musicians should be judged based on their merits. How well they can play, not just as band, but as individuals. How well the drummer can play his beat, or how well the guitar or bass players play when a string snaps. They should be judged on how well they play it, and how much energy or a crowd they can draw. If a local band is drawing a huge crowd of people that want to watch them, why should it matter how they look? Why should it matter if they look like the belong in Led Zeppelin or Avenged Sevenfold? Last time I checked, people like good music, music that they are interested in or that they can relate to, looks should come second. I understand that if a musician looks good, a fan might be more drawn to the band, but that should not play a large factor if the person like the act or not.

I know bands that look like they do not belong in the "scene" they claim they are part of, but they sound amazing and sure as hell belong in that "scene". Those bands, those groups of people writing music in someone's basement or in a big recording space, those are really people. We were always told as kids to not judge a book by its cover, why should we do so when it comes to bands and signing then. I thought it was the content of the book that mattered, not the pretty looking digitally remastered cover that was done with Photoshop. I remember hearing how record labels signed bands, and maybe they still do it this way... I recall hearing how record labels would send out a representative into a club where they had local bands playing. They would dress how they chose, whether it be casual or professional. Then they would watch the full set, all the bands and groups that performed. If they liked what they see, they might go to another show or two of the bands of interests, and then if they still like what they hear, they will give them card as an offer and from there it is up to band. Why can they not do things like that anymore, listen to the music, feel the energy, hear the crowd signing these local songs as loud as they can.

Music is something that should be limited to how one looks. I look like a guy that listens to post hardcore or "emo" music (kind of), but I fucking love Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down, 311, Paramore, Foo Fighters etc with every fiber in my body and would kill to see any of these bands live. It just seems really stupid and illogical to judge a band by their looks, and not by what they are creating and making. Labels should be more focused on the sound of the music, and how both the artist and the label could benefit from such a partnership, and not how the lead singer's hair looks, or how "brutal" the band looks. Image shouldn't be a credential for a band, and damn the person who first thought it should. 

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