akrish

Before getting this album, I’d only heard Paramore a couple of times on last.fm radio. I enjoyed what I heard there, but because I didn’t have any actual music from the band, I never really got into the group. Last week, two of my friends independently told me to get “Riot,” so I finally picked it up. Rather than plagiarize a biography of the band, see their wikipedia entry.

My first listen of “Riot” was similar to every other new album I listen to. It didn’t seem to be anything special. Songs were relatively catchy, but it sounded like a typical pop-punk album. I didn’t expect it to be as good as I think it is now, but as I do like pop-punk, I listened to it again… and again. Now after several listens, it’s definitely my favorite album, and I’m even recommending it to my friends (who don’t even listen to rock).

Not to be chauvinistic or anything, but there aren’t many good female rock vocalists singing in modern groups. However, I really liked Hayley’s voice, and she has an edgy sound that goes really well with the instrumentation, and the general effect that the band’s trying to get. In this context, I actually think that Hayley actually does a better job than a male singer could. Unfortunately, lyrics are actually pretty generic. Hayley sings about the same things as every other pop-punk band, and there isn’t much metaphor or poeticism to make things original.

Instrumentally, the album’s pretty good. Drumming is impressive, with nice riffs and fills. The drumming also adds a lot to the swells and movement of each song. Guitar work is pretty typical of pop-punk; lots of power chords, repetition, and very little soloing. Unlike other pop-punk bands though, the vocals don’t entirely overpower the guitar part, so you can actually hear the guitar riffs. Even though it’s pretty simple, the guitar only augments edgy effect the band is trying achieve, and is a bit unique in that you can actually hear it.

Overall, everything comes together very nicely. Regardless of how generic each individual instrument (vocals included) is, the end result is awesome. Part of it may be due to Hayley’s singing, which I really like, or it could be that I’m a fan of most pop-punk bands, but I’m really digging this band right now. I do think that it may get old pretty soon, but I still highly recommend it.

My rating: 7/10

Recommended Tracks: “Misery Business”, “Let the Flames Begin”

Paramore