Paramore - Paramore (16/05/2013)
It seemed as though Paramore lost the battle when co-founding members Josh and Zac Farro left the band in 2010. But the release of their self-titled album has proven they have evolved to definitely win the war. And they pulled no punches in pointing it out to the departed brothers who slandered the group publicly as they quit.
Some clever songwriting by leading lady Hayley Williams, guitarist Taylor York and bassist Jeremy Davis has made it clear Paramore does not need the Farro brothers to produce great music.
Fans have waited eagerly for a new album and there has been much speculation about what it would sound like. A band cannot emerge through such turmoil and change without altering their sound. Was that change to be for better or worse?
All was answered on April 9th when the band released its fourth studio album, Paramore.
The decision to make a self-titled album was deliberate as Paramore had to prove they could survive. Not only have they proven that but their album makes a point of showing who they are right now.
Any doubts about Hayley’s ability to write strong, catchy songs without Josh Farro have been laid to rest as the album boasts clever songs depicting some very specific moments in the band’s history.
The band offered fans a taste of what was to come with the first single from the album, Now. As Hayley sang about how there’s a time and place to die, but this ain’t it, it was a brief insight of what we could expect and one thing was clear – Paramore had something to say.
The first track Fast In My Car boasts “the three of us were initiates, we had to learn how to deal” while Grow Up tells of how “some of us have to grow up sometimes, and so, if I have to I’m gonna leave you behind.” It is clear their darker days had an influence on this album but rather than lament about how tough it was, they’ve chosen to show how much stronger they are for it.
Cast the problems of 2010 aside and the album speaks of love, heartbreak and growing up. It’s a more mature sound made unique by the use of synthesisers, string sections, ukuleles and gospel choirs. This is a very adult Paramore.
Part II is a continuation of their previous work. It’s a clever song that uses the outro and a sample of lyrics from Let the Flames Begin by opening with “what a shame we all remain, such fragile broken things.” We immediately know it’s a sequel to LTFB and the song leads into an instrumental proving Paramore is still as much about the music as they are the lyrics.
Hate to See Your Heart Break is the only ballad on the album and was written by Hayley for bandmate Taylor. The soothing vocals and slow melody is a change to the otherwise upbeat and fast pace of the rest of the album. It is obvious the subject of the song has been through an emotional ordeal but it turns itself around and encourages the listener to dry their eyes because love might not be such a bad thing after all. You will get through this.
(One of Those) Crazy Girls is a tongue-in-cheek love song. It sounds like a 1950s pop song and tells the tale of an overbearing girlfriend who flirts with the line between love and obsession. It brings a smile to the face of the listener and perhaps makes you reflect on your own questionable behaviour exhibited while in a relationship you just do not want to end.
This album has been on repeat in my car since it was released and each time I find something new I like about it. It’s clever, catchy, it makes you think and feel and it makes you proud of how far the band has come. Hey Paramore, after all this time, I’m still into you.
Nicole Barlow
Some clever songwriting by leading lady Hayley Williams, guitarist Taylor York and bassist Jeremy Davis has made it clear Paramore does not need the Farro brothers to produce great music.
Fans have waited eagerly for a new album and there has been much speculation about what it would sound like. A band cannot emerge through such turmoil and change without altering their sound. Was that change to be for better or worse?
All was answered on April 9th when the band released its fourth studio album, Paramore.
The decision to make a self-titled album was deliberate as Paramore had to prove they could survive. Not only have they proven that but their album makes a point of showing who they are right now.
Any doubts about Hayley’s ability to write strong, catchy songs without Josh Farro have been laid to rest as the album boasts clever songs depicting some very specific moments in the band’s history.
The band offered fans a taste of what was to come with the first single from the album, Now. As Hayley sang about how there’s a time and place to die, but this ain’t it, it was a brief insight of what we could expect and one thing was clear – Paramore had something to say.
The first track Fast In My Car boasts “the three of us were initiates, we had to learn how to deal” while Grow Up tells of how “some of us have to grow up sometimes, and so, if I have to I’m gonna leave you behind.” It is clear their darker days had an influence on this album but rather than lament about how tough it was, they’ve chosen to show how much stronger they are for it.
Cast the problems of 2010 aside and the album speaks of love, heartbreak and growing up. It’s a more mature sound made unique by the use of synthesisers, string sections, ukuleles and gospel choirs. This is a very adult Paramore.
Part II is a continuation of their previous work. It’s a clever song that uses the outro and a sample of lyrics from Let the Flames Begin by opening with “what a shame we all remain, such fragile broken things.” We immediately know it’s a sequel to LTFB and the song leads into an instrumental proving Paramore is still as much about the music as they are the lyrics.
Hate to See Your Heart Break is the only ballad on the album and was written by Hayley for bandmate Taylor. The soothing vocals and slow melody is a change to the otherwise upbeat and fast pace of the rest of the album. It is obvious the subject of the song has been through an emotional ordeal but it turns itself around and encourages the listener to dry their eyes because love might not be such a bad thing after all. You will get through this.
(One of Those) Crazy Girls is a tongue-in-cheek love song. It sounds like a 1950s pop song and tells the tale of an overbearing girlfriend who flirts with the line between love and obsession. It brings a smile to the face of the listener and perhaps makes you reflect on your own questionable behaviour exhibited while in a relationship you just do not want to end.
This album has been on repeat in my car since it was released and each time I find something new I like about it. It’s clever, catchy, it makes you think and feel and it makes you proud of how far the band has come. Hey Paramore, after all this time, I’m still into you.
Nicole Barlow