Riot

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Editorial reviews

Description
Two years after their debut 'All We Know Is Falling' catapulted them into the spotlight comes this sophomore effort from precocious, teenaged Tennessee emo band powered by the astonishing vocal talent of 18-year-old Hayley Williams. Expanding on the punk-pop template of their first album with 80s influences and a full, rocking production sound from David Bendeth (Hawthorne Heights, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus), the band blast through eleven anthems of teenage angst and lust with barely a pause for breath. Includes the single 'Misery Business'.

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Customer reviews

review by: Hollyzombie date: 2008-08-14 rating:
Polished sophomore effort from Tennessee pop punks.
A good, catchy pop rock album... but the overall the album is a lot less genuine, it's very clear how deliberately polished each track is and how much effort went into the commercial appeal of the sound and image.
I have to say that I prefer All We Know Is Falling purely for the rawness of the bands sound. The lyrics of Riot! are perhaps more complex, but the simplicity in All We Know Is Falling's lyrics boast much more spirit and emotion than this sophomore effort.

It is also pretty difficult to pick any tracks that stand out as much to me, while it's easy to claim Riot! is a stronger album in all the technical aspects, none of the tracks capture my heart the way Pressure, Emergency and pretty much every other All We Know Is Falling track did. It seems that as Hayley's hair became more processed, so did the music!

However, if you're a pop or a rock fan then I'm sure you will enjoy this album and will be able to look past all the stuff that prevents me from doing so as much.

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review by: date: 2008-05-27 rating:
Brilliantly catchy

Formed in Franklin, Tennessee in 2004 Paramore are a four piece band led by teenage female vocalist Hayley Williams backed by Josh Farro on guitar/vocals, brother Zac on drums and Jeremy Davis on bass.

Paramore - the unusual name is derived from a former member's maiden name and the word `paramour' meaning secret lover - are variously described as power pop, punk/alternative rock and emo, and their influences, according to their website, are all US bands of similar punk/rock/indie/alternative styles.

Orange-haired, brightly dressed singer Hayley cuts a striking image and the comparisons to Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson and Avril Lavigne are inevitable, but this is no brat teenager-in-a-tantrum pleading for understanding, it's one who is confident, enthusiastic, full of raw energy and intends to have fun whatever life throws at her. Her appeal is wide-ranging - a readers poll by Kerrang! magazine in 2006 voted her number 2 `Sexiest Female' (beaten by Amy Lee of Evanescence) and in an article in NME magazine she was described as `young, articulate and with plenty to say'. But the other members too must take equal credit for the bands appeal, being nominated for `Best New Artist' in the 50th Grammy Awards ceremony in February 2008, but in losing out to first-placed Amy Winehouse suggests that not everyone wants to listen to happy music!

For me, everything about this album shouts `fun', from the name `Riot' which was chosen because it means `a sudden outburst of uncontrolled emotion', to the barrage of unrestrained energy and excitement which infects every one of the 3 to 4 minute-long tracks. The album reached number 15 and 24 in the U.S and U.K charts respectively and its importance to the band is summed up by Hayley Williams (on their official website):

"We want everyone to hear this album. We want to take it as far as we can. 'RIOT' is everything we ever wanted to say on one album. If it all ended today, this is what we'd want to be remembered for".

For a band with an album which is as good as this, it really shouldn't end for a long while yet.

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review by: Bad_Girl_Bex date: 2008-05-20 rating:
ARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I made the mistake of borrowing this album from a friend. Well...when I say friend, I obviously mean 'person who I used to like and have respect for, but for whom I now wish a slow and painful death in the not too distant future.'

From the very beginning, I was aurally assaulted by the annoying caterwalling of Hayley whateverhernameis and the pathetic and predictable, emo/punk/cliched simple accompaniment. And as time went on, it only worsened, with tragic tales of teenage toss-pottery echoing around the room like a sulking Kevin or Perry on helium.

After the third song I had to break one of my own fingers to make sure that I was still alive and not, as one would assume, somewhere in the seventh circle of hell, fighting for some kind of divine intervention. Christ....I was even contemplating listening to some Elliot Minor or Little Chris to save me at this point.

I don't remember much of song 4, only that it irked me so immensely that I removed said CD from the machine and flung it across the room like some kind of ninja drinks coaster. Where it landed is anybody's guess...I didn't go to find it and when my 'friend' enquired as to it's whereabouts I gave him a tenner and told him to go and buy some real music.

As for the offending Paramore CD....well i think it may have slunk back to the vengeful pit from whenst it came, returning to the fold of evil and despondent dirge, only to come back sometime in the future in an even more revoltingly abhorrent form.

And from the look of that Limahl-esque, camp, pop/emo offering going by the name of Madina Lake, I'd say the second coming is upon us.

So yeah, not the best CD I've heard this year.

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review by: CB date: 2008-05-03 rating:
This will cause a RIOT!!!
Paramore have been on quite a journey since they started with their first teen angst fueled pop punk album 'All We Know Is Falling' which certainly attracted some attention (Mostly guys....What?! She's hot!).....Although without a doubt, Hayley Williams is far by one of the most impressive female singers there is and could easily rival the likes of Avril Lavigne and Juliet Simms...Hands down! And this album is no different.....

'Riot!' delivers an emotional rollercoaster of high's and lows in the life of a pop punk teen icon and guess what?? We're all invited for the ride! The best thing about all these songs is that most people can relate to them, they're accessible and delivered with raw emotion which is shown by Hayley's magnificent vocal range!

Ok I'm rambling but seriously this album is incredible! The opener 'For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic' will no doubt blow you away! From the start you can tell, they've improved so much. The musical arrangements are so much better, the vocals are perfect (as ever), the drums definately hit harder and the overall album is more anthemic, bouncy and lively! But they can't help going back to basics with 'That's What You Get' which reminds you so much of 'Here We Go Again' but you can see how much passion they put into there music. This album covers all the bases, you have 'Let The Flames Begin' and 'Born For This' which are bold, boisterous and loud with the equally bedazzling 'Crushcrushcrush' and 'Fences' which'll just leave you bouncing around like a demented child because its so damn catchy!!!! Of course we can't forget the singles 'Misery Business' and 'Hallelujah' which are so energetic and uplifting you just can't help but smile and dance along!

Lastly, there's 'When It Rains' and 'We Are Broken', a few ballads to throw into the mix which are equally as good and could rival Avril Lavigne's 'Keep Holding On' and 'Why'.

To finish this review I'm going to have a rant at Kerrang;

1. This album is not worth KKK whatsoever!
2. 'Hallelujah' isnt to 'lukewarm results'!
3. And damn anyone who listens to those reviews.........because they lie! 'Riot!' is pop punk bliss and anyone who says different should be shot! Because in the end this is what it's all about! Songs to make you laugh, to make you cry and to turn up to full blast and have some fun, and these guys bring it in spades! =]

Can't wait for the next album!!!! =]


Top Tracks: Fences, Hallelujah, Misery Business


review by: shurvinton date: 2008-04-09 rating:
Grows On You
I bought this after hearing / seeing a track on TV, and at this price I thought I'd give it a spin.

On the first play only a couple of tracks stood out (Hallelujah and Let The Flames Begin), but after a few plays other tracks grew on me.

The band shows promise, and hopefully their music will mature along with them.

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