So today I headed down to HMV to a) pick up my new loyalty card and b) grab a copy of my second favourite band on the planet Paramore's new and third studio album: Brand New Eyes....
I was initially going to review al;l the tracks but while the albums brilliant - its just another Paramore album. So I've chosen to review (or not review) only a selected few tracks... enjoy and I certainly recommend you grab a copy!
1. Careful - This opening track made me really happy I'd brought the album. Its upbeat with all the classic Paramore-esque rocking out: a catching song with choruses, a re-occurring bridge and a killer chorus with Hailey William's vocals, lots of drumming and guitar (and some great guitar solos before the final chorus part). I think I'm going to pick up the lyrics to this one pretty quickly. On this album Paramore have a new guitarist and they said their sound would have progressed a bit and this track sound new but it can still be drawn to parallels with some of the more upbeat tracks of of Riot!; Paramore's last studio album such as 'Thats What You Get' and "For A Pessimist'. However it is a more mature sound which I like very much.
2. Ignorance - As the first single off of the album we've all heard it. 'Ignorance' is upbeat and rocked out like 'Careful' and I think maybe a better track. However 'Ignorance' has been on my iPod a couple of months and the rest of the album a couple of hours so... But what I can say that I have already said it has a KILLER video and the opening chord progressions make me hope someone somewhere on the internet has written the tabs out for me somewhere to be my next guitar challenge! Open up the lyrics booklet or just listen closely - its a great 'fuck the world' song. "I'm just a person but you can't take it the same tricks that once fooled me they won't get you anywhere."
3. Playing God - No offence to Paramore but this is a classic "third track". The opening track of the album always has to be a killer to hook the listener (see 'Harder To Breathe' on Maroon 5's debut album 'Songs About Jane') the same as an opening number at a live gig, and the second is generally a single. However though 'Playing God' is not single material its good in the fact that that its a still upbeat but slightly calming influence after 'Careful' and 'Ignorance' and this track makes great use of male backing vocals. On first listen the beginning sounded a little pop girl-esque but that goes away as soon as we get into the track. I'm not saying that is a bad thing though...
4. Brick By Boring Brick - I love the upbeat drum and guitar beginning... a killer comeback to the tone set by 'Ignorance'. For some reason this track reminds me of 'Riot!''s 'Misery Buisness' and 'crushcrushcruch'. Its single material so no wonder their releasing it as such in November... I'm also guessing the lyric 'she's ripping wings off of butterflies' inspired the album art. I love this song... its catchy with a hookish chorus. Listen out for the great backing vocals right at the very end!
10. Misguided Ghosts - I really love this non upbeat song - it has to be one of my favourite tracks on the album. Instead of the usual plugged in Paramore the band have gone acoustic on this number with stunning results. Another song I want to learn to play. The finger patterns on the guitar sound beautiful under Hailey's vocals and the subtle but present drum beat under the chorus lines fit perfectly. If possible on the first listen of this track do it in a silent darkened room - the experience will be truly cathartic. American Alt Rock meets Indie... bliss.
12. Decode (Twilight Soundtrack) - I'm not even going to bother. How many people have NOT heard the Twilight soundtrack? (none. thought so.) And even worse, how many people after Twilight have been pretending to be hardcore Paramore fans after hearing only this track, 'I Caught Myself' (also off of the soundtrack) and maybe also 'Misery Business' off of Guitar Hero. I'm not saying its not a good song though... brilliantly written... This album version of the track also has some great echo backs of William's vocals you don't get on the Twilight version...
Overall Score: 8/10
iTunes track download picks: Ignorance, Misguided Ghosts, Brick By Boring Brick
