Album Spotlight: Paramore - Riot

I’ve got to admit that I hadn’t really been inclined to listen to Paramore until I heard the Twilight soundtrack. Firstly, for some reason I was surprised that their lead singer was a female singer, and secondly, surprised by the style of music.

 

Paramore’s sound is kind of sugary pop, and some may even consider them a dirty, guilty pleasure that you don’t have to feel guilty about listening to. While their first album was purely sugary pop, Riot has more of a danceable feel and sees the band experimenting a little more.

While they’ve got a strong fan base; one that is growing daily, they’re still at the stages where they can’t take major risks with their sounds. Instead of making drastic changes to their sound on this album, they’ve incorporated new with the old.

‘Fences’ has a more Cabaret sound, although fans don’t need to worry. They’re not going to turn into The Dresden Dolls anytime soon, instead their Cabaret sound is more Panic!At The Disco Influenced.

Riot is incredibly catchy with hooks, and a sugary goodness you can’t help but enjoy. However, the band’s main problem is that their songs could easily be considered just as forgettable. While they’re catchy, the lyrics are fairly weak.

Their first track, ‘For A Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic’, actually sounds remarkably like a Fall Out Boy song, right down to the guitar, drums and even vocals.

That’s not to say that this isn’t a solid, strong album. It is, and with the fact it can suck even the biggest critic in, it’s bound to do well. Hayley Williams, Paramore’s lead singer has strong, clear vocals that stop Paramore from being just another teen band, trying to make it big. She manages to infuse emotion into each of Paramore’s song, and is well suited for the style the band sings. She even manages to make the weak lyrics work to her advantage, and ballads such as ‘When It Rains’, highlight her talents.

There’s no doubt that Paramore will garner a bigger following, no doubt helped by the popularity of the Twilight movies and soundtrack, in which they feature.

If you like Fall Out Boy, Panic! or strong female vocalists then this album is a must listen.