Rapid Review.. Paramore - 'Paramore'

Literally, before last weekend had past, I had barely shot a passing glance towards the new Paramore album. In hindsight, a part of me felt as if Paramore had been locked away when I had turned 20, with their first three albums - All We Know Is Falling, Riot! and Brand New Eyes - being relocated under the 'nostalgia' pile, with the band never aging, or growing up.

However, after seeing various opinions through social media - most supplied via Hayley Williams re-Tweets - I began to grow intrigued upon seeing comments such as 'Paramore has changed, not keen on this album' and 'Paramore has changed - best album yet!'. Wanting to find out for myself, I gave it a listen or three, and found my self somewhat surprised.

Their fourth, self-titled studio album can be viewed as somewhat of a mixed bag; there are definitely some quality Paramore-pop songs tucked in there, many of which I find myself unintentionally humming prior to realisation; I guess that makes me a tad addicted. The first pair of songs are beyond catchy and result in the aforementioned effect, with album opener 'Fast In My Car' going from 'beyond irritating' to 'I want to listen to this noww' in a matter of plays. Speaking of 'now', 'Now' - the first single from the album - is a definite grower, with Williams hitting some rather impressive power notes that I can't help but attempt (and fail) to mimic. At first it felt like common fodder, somewhat lacklustre, but in hindsight it was simply unfamiliar. The first truly mediocre song for me would be 'Grow Up', ironically because it sounds rather juvenile  and possesses a rather underwhelming chorus. It is on 'Daydreaming' that we first begin to feel that we are beginning to venture into some slightly new territory, with the strings on the verses causing them to sparkle, and the instrumental after the bridge has a euphoric edge, however it is again let down by a repetitive chorus.

Now, the first big difference: The Interludes, of which I'm not sure whether to regard positively or with trepidation. The three are short ukelele driven songs with a tinny and retro sounding vocal and, whilst 'Holiday' and 'I'm Not Angry Anymore' are catchy, thought chilled out little ditties, it is 'Moving On' which is the highlight of the trio. Other highlights of the album include 'Ain't It Fun', with it's rather gospel sounding ending and also 'Last Hope', but most irking however, is 'Part II', which is literally a rehash of Paramore's Riot! era song, 'Let The Flames Begin'; it literally has the same lyrics - multiple times, however the later instrumental on the bridge brings to mind Watch Out! era Alexisonfire; a song of multiple exclamation marks, it seems, both good and very bad. 

The band definitely channel the roots of their homeland (Nashville, Tennesee), with songs like 'Hate To See Your Heart Break' and '(One Of Those) Crazy Girls' carrying a country-esque vibe, whilst 'Still Into You' is pure, unabashed POP! - however, it is album closer 'Future' which is most surprising, which deceivingly smoulders for three minutes before hitting us with a crescendo of noise, one which you would never in your wildest imaginings would expect to come from Paramore, it is positively metal in intensity, a symphony of noise that is, oddly, a perfect end to an unexpectedly decent album steeped in pop sentimentality and, if you are willing to take it is for what it is, there is a lot to enjoy there; perhaps Paramore are finally growing up.

http://www.paramore.net/
https://twitter.com/paramore
https://www.facebook.com/paramore

New Music.. Paramore - 'Still Into You'

I'm not much of a music snob, and there's still a part of my heart that harkens lovingly back to the t(w)een years of my adolescent youth that now increasingly feels like a hastily fading dream (apologies, real adults)! Though I have to say that occasionally I have to humour myself in the nostalgia of music that symbolises so many good times that I had in my high school/college years, memories with friends, and my general trying to grow up. Paramore were one of those bands. Along with My Chemical Romance, Lostprophets, Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco, Paramore indulged the emo-pop-rock tween in my soul that thought she was 'alternative' when really she was as non-conforming as half of the 12-16 age bracket in the world, circa '04-'07. I could quote 'The Emo Song' by Adam and Andrew, but I'll leave that up to you ;)

Pushing the cringey embarrassments of youth aside however, we turn away from 'Misery Business' era Paramore all the way to 2013 where, two members down though still flame haired, Hayley Williams and Co are still throwing their pop-punk anthems to thirsty and  impressionable lego-haired teens aching for an idol band to give their lives direction. Are Paramore still up to the cause? Well, with the latest song to be revealed from their forthcoming fourth album (imaginitively entitled Paramore), 'Still Into You' is... somewhat lacklustre, in regards to what Paramore can offer when they're at their best. In fact, it feels like a cheap Fall Out Boy song, especially in the melody. Even Williams' usual powerhouse vocal feels pretty tame. It's not a memorable song, in fact, it's borderline sickly and in writing this, listening to the song for the first time, I genuinely have no inclination to listen to the song again. For of what bite Paramore can muster when, like Fall Out Boy, they create genuinely good pop songs, 'Still Into You' falls far below the mark.

Paramore is released 8th April.

http://www.paramore.net/
https://twitter.com/paramore
http://www.facebook.com/paramore