88
This review was released on Tuesday, April 30, 2013.
Paramore
Paramore
Fueled By Ramen
Released Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Holy Visage rates this album:
★ ★ ★ ★ - Great
Collected score:
75/85
+The Best Albums of the Year list, No. 4 highest-rated album (2013)
Paramore returns with their first album since the departure of former lead guitarist Josh Farro and former drummer Zac Farro in December 2010. We've all eagerly waited to see what kind of music they would write without the two brothers. For the first time in nearly four years, Paramore is back with a brand new, self-titled album that serves as what may as well be lead vocalist Hayley William's diary from the past years. The band has completely changed their style, with more upbeat melodies that embrace their pop side and more cathartic, angry, and often sarcastic lyrics. The band constantly makes references to the departure of Josh and Zac and how difficult it has been for the band to move on. Despite angry and sarcastic lyrics throughout the record, the band is moving on; Hayley Williams repeatedly tells us so. The pain lingers, but the band sings of renewed hope as the album progresses. By the end of the album, Hayley Williams, Jeremy Davis, and Taylor York ultimately decide that they must not live in the painful past, but believe in the future.
Before the band began recording the album, all three members moved out of their comfortable hometown of Nashville, Tennesee to Los Angeles, California. Ilan Rubin, who has drummed with bands like Nine Inch Nails, recorded drums for the album. The album was produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen, who has also worked with Nine Inch Nails. The album is Paramore's lengthiest album so far, with 17 tracks that run for over 64 minutes, including three delightful interludes that sing about moving on from the past.
The album opens with the angry "Fast In My Car," a song that rants about the anguishing departure of Josh and Zac, but begs for an escape from the drama in the chorus. The album's lead single, "Now," is the best possible track the band could have picked to say that they're back. The song opens with a verse that's reminiscent of No Doubt, but transitions into a powerful chorus. The song voices the band's determination to forget about the past and look toward the future. This track is one of our favorites on the album. "Grow Up" is an aggressive yet soothing track that Hayley Williams uses to vent. She ultimately tells herself that she has to grow up and leave the past behind her. The song combines a soft drum beat and guitar with electronic sounds. "Daydreaming" is the first track on the album that sounds remotely close to any song from a previous Paramore album. The song is an upbeat, loud track that sings of looking and moving into the future.
The album continues with "Ain't It Fun," a song that begins with Hayley Williams learning to forgive Josh and Zac, and transitioning into the independence of being alone in the real world. Jeremy Davis plays a remarkable bass riff throughout the song. The song closes with a friendly choir chanting the song's chorus. "Part II" is the incredible sequel to "Let the Flames Begin" from 2007's Riot! The song uses some of the same lyrics and melodies as the original, but simultaneously introduces a new, more mature style. Taylor York plays a heavy guitar riff as Ilan Rubin clashes the drums loudly. This song is Hayley William's best vocal performance on the album. The lyrics in this track signify that the band's faith is still important to them. This track is one of the most powerful on the album and is one of our favorites, as well as one of the finest tracks the band has ever recorded. "Last Hope" is a powerful but calm song that brings the intensity down, as the song builds up from a soft, quiet verse into a loud, passionate chorus. In the song, Hayley Williams sings about dreams, changes, and sparks of hope being kindled into fire once more.
The departure of Josh and Zac is referenced to throughout the first half of the album, but "Still Into You" brings something new to the table. The song is an upbeat, romantic, and cute love song in which Hayley Williams tells the one that she loves that she's still into them after a long time of loving him. The song recounts memories of their earlier moments and hardships while exclaiming an active romance in the present. The track is a radio-friendly, uplifting song that promises to lift your spirits. "Anklebiters" is a brief, fast-paced song that urges us to keep believing in ourselves despite mean-spirited critics who nip at our ankles. "(One of Those) Crazy Girls" is a fun, good spirited song about a clingy young woman who refuses to accept that her relationship with her lover has ended, and will go as far as calling him hundreds of times and breaking into his house to smell his clothes for closure. She repeatedly denies the fact that she is a crazy girl before finally accepting the fact that she is, indeed, a crazy girl. Fun melodies accompany the funny lyrics in this track.
"Be Alone" is a fast-paced track that sounds like a song that could have come from a previous Paramore album. The album concludes with "Future," a lengthy song that focuses on believing in dreams and not letting the past keep you from pursuing them. The song begins as a soft, acoustic melody that transitions into a loud, instrumental loop with heavily distorted guitars, thundering bass, and clashing drums.
Paramore is not the same band that they were nearly four years ago. Sure, in a physical sense, they are two less members than they were then, but they are also a brand new, more mature band with a one of a kind style that places them above most of today's most loved and acclaimed rock bands. Paramore has overcome a great deal of pain, grief, acceptance, and forgiveness in the past years, and this album takes us through all of those moments, and the triumph they ultimately achieve, with them. This record is a heartbreaking yet joyful ride that you will not be able to stop playing. Paramore is Paramore's most intense and meaningful record to date. As Paramore moves on from their past, we look forward to their promising future.
Ratings by track listing:
1. "Fast In My Car" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
2. "Now" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
3. "Grow Up" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4. "Daydreaming" - ★ ★ ★ ★ + The Best Songs of the Year list
5. "Interlude: Moving On" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
6. "Ain't It Fun" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
7. "Part II" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
8. "Last Hope" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
9. "Still Into You" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ + The Best Songs of the Year list
10. "Anklebiters" - ★ ★ ★ ★
11. "Interlude: Holiday" - ★ ★ ★ ★
12. "Proof" - ★ ★ ★ ★
13. "Hate to See Your Heart Break" - ★ ★ ★
14. "(One of Those) Crazy Girls" - ★ ★ ★ ★
15. "Interlude: I'm Not Angry Anymore" - ★ ★ ★ ★
16. "Be Alone" - ★ ★ ★ ★
17. "Future" - ★ ★ ★ ★
Top five songs of this album are seen in gold.
This review was written by Austin Lovelace.
Paramore
Fueled By Ramen
Released Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Holy Visage rates this album:
★ ★ ★ ★ - Great
Collected score:
75/85
+The Best Albums of the Year list, No. 4 highest-rated album (2013)
Paramore returns with their first album since the departure of former lead guitarist Josh Farro and former drummer Zac Farro in December 2010. We've all eagerly waited to see what kind of music they would write without the two brothers. For the first time in nearly four years, Paramore is back with a brand new, self-titled album that serves as what may as well be lead vocalist Hayley William's diary from the past years. The band has completely changed their style, with more upbeat melodies that embrace their pop side and more cathartic, angry, and often sarcastic lyrics. The band constantly makes references to the departure of Josh and Zac and how difficult it has been for the band to move on. Despite angry and sarcastic lyrics throughout the record, the band is moving on; Hayley Williams repeatedly tells us so. The pain lingers, but the band sings of renewed hope as the album progresses. By the end of the album, Hayley Williams, Jeremy Davis, and Taylor York ultimately decide that they must not live in the painful past, but believe in the future.
Before the band began recording the album, all three members moved out of their comfortable hometown of Nashville, Tennesee to Los Angeles, California. Ilan Rubin, who has drummed with bands like Nine Inch Nails, recorded drums for the album. The album was produced by Justin Meldal-Johnsen, who has also worked with Nine Inch Nails. The album is Paramore's lengthiest album so far, with 17 tracks that run for over 64 minutes, including three delightful interludes that sing about moving on from the past.
The album opens with the angry "Fast In My Car," a song that rants about the anguishing departure of Josh and Zac, but begs for an escape from the drama in the chorus. The album's lead single, "Now," is the best possible track the band could have picked to say that they're back. The song opens with a verse that's reminiscent of No Doubt, but transitions into a powerful chorus. The song voices the band's determination to forget about the past and look toward the future. This track is one of our favorites on the album. "Grow Up" is an aggressive yet soothing track that Hayley Williams uses to vent. She ultimately tells herself that she has to grow up and leave the past behind her. The song combines a soft drum beat and guitar with electronic sounds. "Daydreaming" is the first track on the album that sounds remotely close to any song from a previous Paramore album. The song is an upbeat, loud track that sings of looking and moving into the future.
The album continues with "Ain't It Fun," a song that begins with Hayley Williams learning to forgive Josh and Zac, and transitioning into the independence of being alone in the real world. Jeremy Davis plays a remarkable bass riff throughout the song. The song closes with a friendly choir chanting the song's chorus. "Part II" is the incredible sequel to "Let the Flames Begin" from 2007's Riot! The song uses some of the same lyrics and melodies as the original, but simultaneously introduces a new, more mature style. Taylor York plays a heavy guitar riff as Ilan Rubin clashes the drums loudly. This song is Hayley William's best vocal performance on the album. The lyrics in this track signify that the band's faith is still important to them. This track is one of the most powerful on the album and is one of our favorites, as well as one of the finest tracks the band has ever recorded. "Last Hope" is a powerful but calm song that brings the intensity down, as the song builds up from a soft, quiet verse into a loud, passionate chorus. In the song, Hayley Williams sings about dreams, changes, and sparks of hope being kindled into fire once more.
The departure of Josh and Zac is referenced to throughout the first half of the album, but "Still Into You" brings something new to the table. The song is an upbeat, romantic, and cute love song in which Hayley Williams tells the one that she loves that she's still into them after a long time of loving him. The song recounts memories of their earlier moments and hardships while exclaiming an active romance in the present. The track is a radio-friendly, uplifting song that promises to lift your spirits. "Anklebiters" is a brief, fast-paced song that urges us to keep believing in ourselves despite mean-spirited critics who nip at our ankles. "(One of Those) Crazy Girls" is a fun, good spirited song about a clingy young woman who refuses to accept that her relationship with her lover has ended, and will go as far as calling him hundreds of times and breaking into his house to smell his clothes for closure. She repeatedly denies the fact that she is a crazy girl before finally accepting the fact that she is, indeed, a crazy girl. Fun melodies accompany the funny lyrics in this track.
"Be Alone" is a fast-paced track that sounds like a song that could have come from a previous Paramore album. The album concludes with "Future," a lengthy song that focuses on believing in dreams and not letting the past keep you from pursuing them. The song begins as a soft, acoustic melody that transitions into a loud, instrumental loop with heavily distorted guitars, thundering bass, and clashing drums.
Paramore is not the same band that they were nearly four years ago. Sure, in a physical sense, they are two less members than they were then, but they are also a brand new, more mature band with a one of a kind style that places them above most of today's most loved and acclaimed rock bands. Paramore has overcome a great deal of pain, grief, acceptance, and forgiveness in the past years, and this album takes us through all of those moments, and the triumph they ultimately achieve, with them. This record is a heartbreaking yet joyful ride that you will not be able to stop playing. Paramore is Paramore's most intense and meaningful record to date. As Paramore moves on from their past, we look forward to their promising future.
Ratings by track listing:
1. "Fast In My Car" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
2. "Now" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
3. "Grow Up" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
4. "Daydreaming" - ★ ★ ★ ★ + The Best Songs of the Year list
5. "Interlude: Moving On" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
6. "Ain't It Fun" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
7. "Part II" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
8. "Last Hope" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
9. "Still Into You" - ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ + The Best Songs of the Year list
10. "Anklebiters" - ★ ★ ★ ★
11. "Interlude: Holiday" - ★ ★ ★ ★
12. "Proof" - ★ ★ ★ ★
13. "Hate to See Your Heart Break" - ★ ★ ★
14. "(One of Those) Crazy Girls" - ★ ★ ★ ★
15. "Interlude: I'm Not Angry Anymore" - ★ ★ ★ ★
16. "Be Alone" - ★ ★ ★ ★
17. "Future" - ★ ★ ★ ★
Top five songs of this album are seen in gold.
This review was written by Austin Lovelace.