Not only is one of the singles named in honor of this very real punk news website, but even Sir Elton John called it “one of the most underrated albums of year” and a “fabulous record.” Who are we to argue with that? Musically it’s upbeat and energetic, while lyrically it’s despondent as hell, making for a record that hits a sweet spot with anyone surfing the angsty-teenager-to-semi-depressed-adult pipeline. “After Laughter” marked a definitive turn in the band’s sound, gaining them even more commercial appeal with its new wave and soul-influenced synth-pop tracklist. Play It Again: “Careful” Skip It: “Feeling Sorry” 2. Personal fallout of the band notwithstanding, this is an honest album that showcases Williams’ range and power as a vocalist, and proved she’s the star of the show. This record demonstrates that two things may happen when you write songs about being mad at your bandmates: an album of driving, spiteful, alternative rock gets recorded and debuts at #2 on the Billboard 200, and shit hits the fan between band members. Play It Again: “Part II” Skip It: “Anklebiters”Īt the time “Brand New Eyes” was announced, Paramore’s fanbase was continuing to grow exponentially with the success of their previous album, and the release of “Decode,” a single written for the movie “Twilight” that’s still one of their most popular songs to date. Some of the band’s biggest hits, like “Still Into You” and “Ain’t It Fun” are on this record, and if nothing else, it offers something for all of their fans. But art imitates life or whatever, and you take the best parts and store the rest away. It’s a little long, and a little all over the place. Paramore’s self-titled album can be considered their most experimental effort, with fourteen songs and three interludes that range from grungy and industrial, to early punk, to du-wop inspired. Play It Again: “Let The Flames Begin” Skip It: “Fences” 4. It was the album we needed in 2007, but in 2023, it gets put at the bottom of this very serious ranking. With big singable choruses and catchy hooks, some of these songs ace the test of time, but others border on what the kids-who are now the age we were when “Riot!” came out-would refer to as cringe. This album went triple platinum, got the band in the ears of mainstream listeners, and inspired an SNL sketch, so obviously it’s a good album. No need to get your wallet chain in a twist. Play It Again: “Emergency” Skip It: “Whoa” 5. “Here We Go Again” continues to find its way onto the band’s live set list every once in a while, proving it’s possible for Christian thirteen-year-olds with a record deal to grow into functioning adult rockstars with six record deals. The angst-ridden tracks all fit neatly into a box of nostalgia that’s best opened when you want to re-experience a time when your parents had just gotten divorced, and society still needed proof that girls can rock. This debut album thrust Paramore onto the scene before they were old enough to drive, with its memorable singles “Emergency” and “Pressure.” Therefore, it doesn’t feel quite right to place it last, but it also doesn’t feel wrong. They’re currently touring arenas and festivals around the world, playing two-hour-long sets of songs pulled from every album in their impressive discography. The band now consists of three core members (yes, three) and four touring additions (properly called the Parafour). Beyond that one chart-topper that gets their fans belting at the top of their petty lungs, and the vampire anthem with eight-billion YouTube views, all six of Paramore’s full-length studio releases have been solid pop, despite an ever-rotating lineup that didn’t settle until their fifth album. Paramore is one of the only bands to rise out of the “Myspace Emo” era that continues to thrive nearly two decades later.
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