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40 of 45 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
All I Wanted and more...., September 29, 2009
I started out as a casual fan of Paramore a while back. Gradually, both albums grew on me, and now they're one of my top 5 favorite bands. I tend to think of myself as being a bit outside the usually demographic of Paramore fans, being in my late 20's, but I don't care! I've been anxiously awaiting the release of this album, and to be honest, it's one the first time in years that I've paid any attention to the 'official release date' from any band.
Paramore has catchy, rock driven tunes with smart, well written lyrics. Hayley Williams' vocals are amazing...for such a tiny person she sure has a set of powerhouse pipes. I actually had expected this album to be a lot darker then the 1st two albums, after hearing the first single, "Ignorance" and also knowing they were going thru some personal band turmoil while recording "brand new eyes". But besides "Ignorance", and some lyrics you can tell are clearly pointed at her bandmates in other songs, there is no huge addition of somberness compared with the other albums.
Paramore has progressed and grown, while still retaining their distinct Paramore sound. I also think the drummer, Zac Farro, was given a little more liberty in letting the drums really lead and set the tone on a few songs. There are a two quieter, pretty songs "Misguided Ghosts" and "The Only Exception". Thinking back, I can't recall any slower jams on the other albums that are acoustic and lacking drums like "Misguided Ghosts", and that stood out for me. But don't take that the wrong way, they're both awesome songs, and show a different side of what Paramore can accomplish. After listening to the album for at least a week straight, I really have been looking forward to those two tracks, as well as "Careful" and "All I Wanted".
While writing this review I struggled to find something I didn't like about this album(trying to be well rounded and not just chock full of praise!), and I'm sorry, but I couldn't come up with anything, I'm a fan, not a critic.
On the whole, the album is awesome and I think will stand out as one of the year's best Rock/Alternative albums, just like "Riot!" did in 2007. A must have in my opinion.
Also if you have a chance to see them live, go! I don't like live shows as much as I used to, but Paramore is totally worth it and puts on a stellar show.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
PHEW! Paramore is still great!, September 30, 2009
I'm in the middle of listening to the album for the third time as I write this review. The initial listens were great. The band has really fine tuned its sound following up their excellent Riot!
The strongest members of this band are the lead singer, Hayley Williams, and drummer,Zac Farro. I feel that the reason why these members stick out (other than Hayley's unbelievable amount of cuteness) is that they have been the forerunners on previous albums. This still rings true for Brand New Eyes but we also get to see guitarists, Josh Farro and Taylor York, doing some cool riffs as well as solos. Also the bassist, Jeremy Davis, gets to lay down a meaty bass line in Brick By Boring Brick (not as epic as Fences but still pretty good) as well as doing a solid job on all the other songs. Overall it feels like the band keeps getting tighter as they refine their sound.
-The album starts out at a blazing pace with Careful. This song screams classic Paramore (a good thing).
-Ignorance keeps the momentum moving with another song that sounds like classic Paramore. Watch out for the 15 second long shredding solo near the end!
-Playing God is where the momentum shifts to a slower more emotional pace. Just need to point out that the Paramore boys get to do some backing vocals on this album starting with this song. Not the strongest track on the album but not bad by any means.
-Brick By Boring Brick as I mentioned earlier has an awesome bass line! Very strong song.
-Turn It Off is a slower song that picks up its pace during the chorus. Hayley takes the center stage on this song showing off her vocal awesomeness. The instrumental ending is a very nice touch.
-The Only Exception busts out the acoustic guitars. I can easily see this song showing up in a movie during a very melancholy montage. Just a tidbit this is the longest Paramore song to date...
-Feeling Sorry is a pretty solid song. Noting really exceptional but still good.
-Looking Up is much like Feeling Sorry. Nothing special but still a good song.
-Where The Lines Overlap follows the same formula as the last two songs, however this song is a bit better. Once again I really dig the instrumental ending!
-Misguided Ghosts brings the acoustic guitars out again. Brilliant song. Hayley shows just how beautiful her voice is. My only complaint is that this song ends to early.
-All I Wanted starts out slow but picks up as the song progresses. Very solid song that is a fitting end to the album.
Overall a great album that pushes the band forward. If you are looking for Riot 2.0 you may be a bit disappointed as the band tries some new things. My only complaint about the album is that there isn't a song that enters your head and never leaves. Heck I've had dreams with That's What You Get in it.
Cliff notes: It's great, just buy it already!
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34 of 46 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Changes Leave Paramore's Latest Lacking Standout Songs, September 29, 2009
The rock band Paramore hasn't been without its share of problems in its history, and some of that anger gets vented out on their latest release. Although the album cover depicts the darker, more serious tone of Paramore's third full-length record, secondarily it could represent the bands' spreading its wings stylistically...growing away from the formulaic, commercialized sound that dominated their previous effort, the Platinum "Riot!".
While "Brand New Eyes" starts off with two catchy, up-tempo numbers tailor-made to get fans off their feet singing along at concerts, the rest of the compilation includes enough variety in tempo, instrumentation and style that critics will find it much more difficult to claim all the songs sound the same this time around.
Musicianship is excellent. Hayley Williams sings her heart out. The production is superb (Rob Cavallo, who's worked with artists David Cook, Goo Goo Dolls and Green Day to name a few, gives us punchy drums, grungy, powerful guitars and clean vocals).
But for some reason, it isn't happening for me. I've been listening over and over wanting to like it. I like parts of several songs...the finger-picked clean guitar part at the beginning and other points in "Playing God", the pre-chorus and a small part in the chorus of "Brick By Boring Brick", the chorus of "Turn It Off", the verse of "Feeling Sorry". "Looking Up" and "All I Wanted" are better, but still nothing to write home about. "Misguided Ghosts" seems like it should be a beautiful song, but it's not moving me. And I don't like "The Only Exception" at all...it doesn't sound even remotely like a Paramore song. Nothing here makes me want to dig deeper into the supposedly better lyrics.
The only thing I can think of? I miss those formulaic, commercial Paramore songs...the "Misery Business" and "That's What You Get"-type songs. I miss the soaring melodies that have been sending chills down my spine...I'm not hearing them here.
I think most fans will like "Brand New Eyes". But I'm just not hearing any blow-your-socks-off songs here. I may be wrong (and I hope I am), but I don't see this album having a very long life after initial sales. I recommend giving these songs a good listen before you buy, because you may find you're not feeling it either.
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