I'm no music blogger (<-- click it, I dare you), but how could I pass up a chance to talk about one of my favorite bands on the day their third album drops. For those living under a rock in the, well, "rock"-esque world, Paramore's album Brand New Eyes came out today. I'm going to try to make this album review short and sweet and highlight two songs mainstream America probably won't hear.
Despite many comments of being "disappointed," I don't feel that in the least. Unlike those who are less than satisfied with this record, I approached it with really no expectations. The band was near-breaking point, they just ended a stint with No Doubt, there were too many outside factors to really predict or expect anything regarding what their sound would be like. After listening to BNE once, I already love it. Many bands can never go back to their original sound from their first record (Fall Out Boy with Take This To Your Grave, anyone?), but Paramore goes back to the raw emotion, feeling, power, and edge fans first saw and fell in love with in All We Know is Falling while production levels are much higher as in Riot!. Try listening through the whole album without jumping around or dancing at least once. Pretty tough and damn near impossible, let me tell you. On to the songs!
"Turn It Off" Contrary to the title, don't. Talking purely music, it's catchy but sounds like nothing too special: been there, heard that. Key word is "heard." What you need to do is listen, not just hear. The lyrics are what got to me. Close your eyes, lean back, and listen to Ms. Hayley Williams' words flow through the speakers. A verbal picture is painted, and it's one hell of a painting.
"All I Wanted" Now, this song picks up where "Turn It Off" falls a tad short. They complete each other, really. "All I Wanted" cannot compare to "Turn It Off" at all lyrically, but the instrumentals are powerful and the vocals. Oh, the vocals. The redhead-recently-gone-blonde spitfire shows us where that traditional vocal training went. There have been arguments that the she sounds strained. I'd love to hear them belt like Hayley does.
And here begins (and probably ends unless I find a stroke of inspiration) my music review writing.
For more on Brand New Eyes, please check out this review. I agree with most, if not all, of what is said in it. She covers every song on the record, even if just for one sentence.
And for more on music recommendations in general (and if you ignored my not-so-subtle link in the beginning), check out my wonderful friend Boy Wonder. His musical insight is fantastic, and you won't be disappointed. Money-back guarantee.
