Music review: Paramore – 鈥楶aramore鈥�
The long-waited fourth album 鈥淧aramore鈥� from the Tennessee rockers features an intriguing hint of electronic musical influence as the band鈥檚 tone seamlessly transitions from angry and cynical to optimistic and empowered.
The new material is brimming with a youthful, yet sophisticated sound led by the fiery and passionate singing of Hayley Williams.
It鈥檚 no secret that the 24-year-old dynamo lifts Paramore head and shoulders above the rest of the current emo-pop bands.
The self-titled release follows up the 2009鈥檚 highly successful 鈥淏rand New Eyes,鈥� which is the band鈥檚 highest charting album featuring five striking singles. After the success of 鈥淏rand New Eyes,鈥� founding members and brothers Josh and Zac Farro abruptly departed, leaving the band to carry on as a trio.
Williams, guitarist Taylor York and bassist Jeremy Davis have not only found a way to survive, but thrive as they traverse uncharted territory, expanding their musical boundaries in wondrous ways.
The infectious 鈥淣ow鈥� serves as the lead single with a Gwen Stefani and No Doubt sound with Williams supplying the attitude singing, 鈥淚f there鈥檚 a future/We want it now.鈥�
The chaotic arrangement is fueled by the precession playing of new drummer Ilan Rubin, also of Nine Inch Nails and Angels & Airwaves.
鈥淒on鈥檛 cry to your mama cause you鈥檙e on your own,鈥� sings an inspiring full choir as Williams adds a Patty Smyth New York attitude on the funky and vibrant 鈥淎in鈥檛 It Fun.鈥�
On the gorgeously absorbing 鈥淒aydreaming,鈥� the band evokes Blondie鈥檚 classic hit 鈥淒reaming鈥� from 1979鈥檚 鈥淓at to the Beat鈥� as Williams mimics Debbie Harry鈥檚 sensual and sultry vocal style.
鈥淗ate to See Your Heart Break鈥� is a tender ballad showcasing Williams鈥� beautifully fragile vocals being serenaded by gentle string-filled accompaniment lifting the vocals to a compassionate and angelic form.
Williams has stated that this latest effort is Paramore鈥檚 best album.
It鈥檚 clearly evident the maturing process the band has undergone over the past several years and albums makes for a more complete and diverse musical sound.
Paramore has a future and it is indeed now.