The Paramour Sessions

Papa Roach

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 2007)
• Original Release Date: June 12, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Geffen Records
• ASIN: B000QRI162
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (62 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #18,805 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist
The Paramour mansion has no shortage of history.

In 1933, oil heiress Daisy Canfield was on her way home from a party when her car veered off a Mulholland Drive cliff, plummeting 300 feet and instantly killing the wife of silent movie star Antonio Moreno. In the decades that followed, the couple’s 14-bedroom Hollywood Hills estate would see time as a school for girls, then a convent before falling into disrepair, later being devastated by a 1987 earthquake. Born again more than a decade later, the renovated mansion has served as a recording studio for the likes of H.I.M. and Gwen Stefani, and recently hosted television’s "Rock Star" reality series.

It was between seasons of "Rock Star" that Papa Roach were tenants of the historic property, writing and recording the songs that comprise The Paramour Sessions. "We chose to move into the Paramour so we could focus on music and not have to deal with and be affected by the outside world," says Papa Roach drummer Dave Buckner. Little did the band realize the impact that the house would actually have. "We went in to the house with the intention of writing the most savage, bad-ass record we could write," adds frontman Jacoby Shaddix, "but when we got there, the house had a spirit about it that was bigger than us. We knew we were onto something the second we went into our jam sessions, because we’d never stepped into a room and played for six or seven hours straight, just being creative."

The results of that creative energy – whether channeled by the band, or the product of a mysterious, more elusive energy – are The Paramour Sessions, the fifth full-length Papa Roach release of the past decade, and second for Geffen Records. "Living in the house together was the best thing we could have done for ourselves," says guitarist Jerry Horton. "It brought new life to our writing process and helped us reconnect musically and spiritually. The Paramour brought another level to our creative flow and that had a major influence on the songs, as well as how we’ll write music in the future." Details Shaddix: "There was something about the ballroom we recorded in that made us want to write bigger, with more open chords. Something happened there that we wanted everyone to experience with us, and we wanted the songs to feel as grand and over-the-top as our experience there was."

"Every album we’ve made is a reflection of our states, both personally and musically, and this album is no different," explains Buckner. "The whole property was completely f***ing haunted, and I saw it as a sanctioned opportunity for me to lose my mind—And I did exactly that. I was visited by inter-dimensional beings, had out-of-body sex with spirits from old Hollywood, learned how to see specters, and now know what it feels like to have a ghost walk through me. It’s a very enlightening and inspiring experience, and something to check off the list."

"There were times that I was just lyrically stuck, and I would go down to Daisy’s grave – she was buried on the property – and just write whatever came to me," recalls Shaddix. "I wrote ‘Forever’ down there, and also ‘My Heart Is A Fist.’ I’d just walk around the property and find the lyrics – I’d look under rocks, I’d trip out, I’d meditate. "Ultimately, we all needed to face whatever our fears were on this record," the singer continues. "We also need to be able to face the fans, face the world, and be able to be proud of who we are and what we do. After making this record, we couldn’t ask for anything more than what we accomplished." "It was a pretty crazy, intense time, and you can hear it throughout the record," sums Esperance. "It’s a very honest and direct record, which is the same thing that Papa Roach strive to be as a band." "In the early days, I would obsess and worry about making our mark on rock music, but not anymore," concludes Buckner. "In fact, I’m not sure that’s even a worthy concern… We rock today, and that’s what’s cool."

Product Description
PARAMOUR SESSIONS: DELUXE EDITION Includes a ringtone of "FOREVER", cell phone wallpaper and a foldout poster!

The Paramour mansion has no shortage of history. In 1933, oil heiress Daisy Canfield was on her way home from a party when her car veered off a Mulholland Drive cliff, plummeting 300 feet and instantly killing the wife of silent movie star Antonio Moreno. In the decades that followed, the couple's 14-bedroom Hollywood Hills estate would see time as a school for girls, then a convent before falling into disrepair, later being devastated by a 1987 earthquake. Born again more than a decade later, the renovated mansion has served as a recording studio for the likes of H.I.M. and Gwen Stefani, and recently hosted television's "Rock Star" reality series.

It was between seasons of "Rock Star" that Papa Roach were tenants of the historic property, writing and recording the songs that comprise The Paramour Sessions. "We chose to move into the Paramour so we could focus on music and not have to deal with and be affected by the outside world," says Papa Roach drummer Dave Buckner. Little did the band realize the impact that the house would actually have. "We went in to the house with the intention of writing the most savage, bad-ass record we could write," adds frontman Jacoby Shaddix, "but when we got there, the house had a spirit about it that was bigger than us. We knew we were onto something the second we went into our jam sessions, because we'd never stepped into a room and played for six or seven hours straight, just being creative."

The results of that creative energy - whether channeled by the band, or the product of a mysterious, more elusive energy - are The Paramour Sessions, the fifth full-length Papa Roach release of the past decade, and second for Geffen Records. "Living in the house together was the best thing we could have done for ourselves," says guitarist Jerry Horton. "It brought new life to our writing process and helped us reconnect musically and spiritually. The Paramour brought another level to our creative flow and that had a major influence on the songs, as well as how we'll write music in the future." Details Shaddix: "There was something about the ballroom we recorded in that made us want to write bigger, with more open chords. Something happened there that we wanted everyone to experience with us, and we wanted the songs to feel as grand and over-the-top as our experience there was."

"Every album we've made is a reflection of our states, both personally and musically, and this album is no different," explains Buckner. "The whole property was completely f***ing haunted, and I saw it as a sanctioned opportunity for me to lose my mind--And I did exactly that. I was visited by inter-dimensional beings, had out-of-body sex with spirits from old Hollywood, learned how to see specters, and now know what it feels like to have a ghost walk through me. It's a very enlightening and inspiring experience, and something to check off the list."

"There were times that I was just lyrically stuck, and I would go down to Daisy's grave - she was buried on the property - and just write whatever came to me," recalls Shaddix. "I wrote `Forever' down there, and also `My Heart Is A Fist.' I'd just walk around the property and find the lyrics - I'd look under rocks, I'd trip out, I'd meditate. "Ultimately, we all needed to face whatever our fears were on this record," the singer continues. "We also need to be able to face the fans, face the world, and be able to be proud of who we are and what we do. After making this record, we couldn't ask for anything more than what we accomplished." "It was a pretty crazy, intense time, and you can hear it throughout the record," sums Esperance. "It's a very honest and direct record, which is the same thing that Papa Roach strive to be as a band." "In the early days, I would obsess and worry about making our mark on rock music, but not anymore," concludes Buckner. "In fact, I'm not sure that's even a worthy concern... We rock today, and that's what's cool."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Still Surviving..., October 3, 2006

By	Mr. Censored (Maine) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Paramour Sessions (Audio CD)

If there's one thing I can always say about Papa Roach is that they never get boring. Each album they have released to date has shown the band maturing and trying out a new style. On their fourth major release, "The Paramour Sessions," Papa Roach carry on that tradition. With "Getting Away With Murder" producer Howard Benson returning, Papa Roach sound bound and determined to continue the momentum they regained in 2004. And it works really well.

Sounds like: Poppy Roach

The Good:
- The album was produced and released in a rather speedy manner.
- Plenty of diversity between songs.
- Improved songwriting by frontman Jacoby Shaddix.

The Bad:
- Lots of radio-ready material, not enough of the harder-edged side of the band.
- Songs such as "Crash" and "Alive (N' Out Of Control)" come across as "Getting Away With Murder" b-sides.

Hits: "...To Be Loved," "I Devise My Own Demise," "The World Around You," "Roses On My Grave" and "Time Is Running Out" -- which is, in my opinion, the best song they're written to date.

Misses: "What Do You Do," which is too cliche and predictable to be true.

Future: Papa Roach have always had a complicated career. Their first album was a success, while the second one bombed. Their last one did rather well, and since this has a similar feel to it, I'm sure it'll do rather well. However, it will definitely turn away many narrow-minded, older fans.

Personally: It's not the strongest Papa Roach album, but they're still doing damn well. I've found this album to be quite addicting and cannot get enough of "The World Around You" and "Time Is Running Out."

Best Listened To When: It's 6:00 am and you're really tired and on your way to work.

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "We never fell in love, we only fell apart...", September 19, 2006

By	Michael Crane (Orland Park, IL USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: The Paramour Sessions (Audio CD)

Papa Roach is a band that has done nothing but evolve since their first album. Sadly, this means they've lost some fans along the way, but the upside is the music keeps improving with each album release. While I was--and still am--a big fan of "Infest," I think the band really started to shine when the lead singer stopped rapping and started singing more. Each album has been a notch-up, and "The Paramour Sessions" is no exception.

This album is much darker and sometimes even more hauntingly mellow than past releases. Though the themes haven't changed much (love, hate, heartbreak, alcohol abuse), the delivery of the songs have. The band has really stepped up and matured, and you can tell that from the lyrics and the music. They're not afraid to speed it up, and they're also not afraid to slow it down when need be. On "The Paramour Sessions," the lead singer, Jacoby Shaddix, has increased his range and power, giving each of the songs that extra kick it needs to be perfect.

Another thing about this new album is it does take a couple listens to really lose yourself in it, and that's not a bad thing. In fact, it's rare that an album can sound better with each listen, it's usually vice-versa. It's an album you'll want to listen to in order from start to finish, as it seems like one complete piece. It just sounds better hearing it all in the presented order that is given.

I love the entire album, but my standout favorites are "..to be loved," "alive ('n out of control)," "crash," "the world around you," "i devise my own demise," "my heart is a fist," "no more secrets," and "reckless." The music sounds fantastic and the lyrics do more than just simply flow with the songs--they get into your head, to the point where you find yourself repeating lines at random over and over again.

Will all Papa Roach fans enjoy the new album? Probably not. Like I said, the band keeps evolving and that means losing some people sometimes. This is not the band of the "Infest" days. I think they've become something a whole lot more impressive and devastating. It's something you'll just have to hear for yourself, and do yourself a favor and listen to it a couple of times before you make a verdict. I think in time this album will grow and more people will discover it and fall in love with it. "The Paramour Sessions" is a complete victory for the members of Papa Roach. I hope they continue to evolve and impress for many more years and many more albums. -Michael Crane

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars shocked by this record, September 15, 2006

By	DUR! DUR! - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Paramour Sessions (Audio CD)

honestly, i didnt even want to buy this record after Getting Away With Murder. The only song on the last record that really did anything for me was The Title Track. The album came out, and I went to the store and decided not to get it. Then the next day I listened to the song "Want to be Loved" and though, **** it, and went out and bought the record, and I am soooo glad that I did. Every song on this record grabbed me and just shocked me. I listened to every song on this record and when it was done, it wasnt enough, so I restarted the record and kept doing that all night and the next day, and Im sure when Im done with this review I'll go and listen to it once again.

Everybody that keeps on saying "This Record isnt anything special" "Its just like GAWM" blah blah blah, I really hope your joking. Did you even listen to the last three tracks? When I heard the last two tracks, I couldnt even believe it was Papa Roach. Track 12 is like a freaking surf song and the last track is all orcastra music until the end when the band explodes in.

Stand out Tracks:
Want to be Loved (great opening track)
Crash (awesome drums, I heard it was the next single and think it should be)
World Around you (sweet guitar, awesome song, could be a good single)
I Devise My Own Demise (his voice is amazing in this song)
Fire (the surf sounding song....awesome guitars, sweet percussion, and all in all, a great song)
Roses on my grave (this song will shock you, thats all i can say)

To end this, if you are looking for Infest in this record, guitar-wise you will find it. If you are looking for LoveHateTragedy, lyric-wise, its here. If you are looking for Getting Away with Murder, singing-wise, its here.
And if you are looking for something totally new from papa roach, you will totally find that here. Check out this record, if you love papa roach and like me have a very open mind towards things, you'll love this record.

peace!