The Wilderness is a taste of the South & Spring, A-

Everyone's favorite indie instrumental rock group, Explosions in the Sky, have returned with yet another spring album, The Wilderness. The album is a collection of new songs that's a reminder of Texas spring skies and motorcycles. It's classic Explosions in the Sky.

The Dead Weather return with force in Dodge and Burn, A-

Despite a random released album and no tour dates, The Dead Weather have issued a new album that's highly enjoyable to listen to from front to finish.

Get the Led Out Rock out Saranac Brewery A

Above: Lead singer Paul Sinclairs performs at Saranac Brewery on Friday, August 14th, 2015

On Friday, August 14th, American rock band Get the Led Out powered through a powerful  Led Zeppelin set at Saranac Brewery. They were by far the best cover band to travel through Upstate New York this summer, and one of the best shows at Saranac this year.

Kendrick Lamar's 3rd album is a hip hop masterpiece, A+

What: Album review
Who: Kendrick Lamar
When: March 2015
Why: the 3rd album debut from Kendrick Lamar

Above, Kendrick's newest single 'I'

Is Madonna still relevant? new album says yes, B+

What: Music Review
Who: Madonna
When: March 2015
Why: Her 13th Studio released Album

David Bowie's "The Next Day" is entertaining new piece of music

What:
Album Review
Part of
David Bowie's 2014 Discography links

Over the years, David Bowie has entertained us with some of music's most genius lyrics ever created. Last year, he released a new album, the Next Day. David Bowie returns full force to the rock scene with an album that's not afraid to, well rock. Despite being slightly wrong, each tune on his new album is worth listening to and has their own melodies and charm. Some stand out more than others, including the loud and catchy tune (You will set the world on fire) which sounds like it belongs on the Hunger Games Soundtrack.
Make no mistake, The next Day is classic David Bowie reborn for the new ages. It's loud, cryptic, and filled with many beautiful noises and energy. Which of course, is what every David album sounds like. Well this album is a slight reminder of classic Bowie, it's also him in new form, trying something different for the new ages. Hell, perhaps he'll even receive a few younger fans with this 'alternative' album.

Grade: B+

New Single:

Lindsey Stirling's self debut album a masterpiece

What: music Review
Who: Lindsey Stirling
Album: Lindsey Stirling
Category of Music: Techno/Classical
Grade: A+
5 out of 5 stars *****

With her Youtube channel and videos being a sensation in the last few years featuring hit videos Crystallize and Elements, the dancer, songwriter, and violinist Lindsey Stirling has finally produced her first album in October 2013. The album is nothing short of a masterpiece, as the young 27 year old artist visualizes and combines techno beats to classical music.
Stirling isn't new to the music scene-in 2010 she was a quarter finalist on the fifth season of America's Got Talent, where most people know her from. However, Stirling only recently has finally produced her first full length record a few months ago. The album is a must have for not just techno fans but any fans of new music and maybe one of the best of 2013.
It's simply both a grace and a rush to listen to from the first album to the last. Each song has its own style and beats to it as Lindsey's violin constantly continues to play and stands out from the Dub Step electronic beats surrounding it. It's an album where you simply do not need vocals in order to truly enjoy great new music by an inspiring young artist that has a bright future in store for her.

Pearl Jam's Lightning Bolt satisfies

It’s album number ten for Seattle based group Pearl Jam, now defined as classic rock. Their new album, Lightning Bolt, has been released this month and should satisfy all Pearl Jam fans. Pearl Jam have a knack for creating music of all different styles. One song will be hard and fast paced, while the next song is slow and emotional. Such is the case with Lightning Bolt. Every song on the album is different. Certain tunes shine out with raw gripping power, especially of course “Sirens”, which maybe the best tune on the album.  Yet, as different as each song is on ‘Lightning Bolt’, it’s nonetheless Pearl Jam who have created their own genre of music. The album is never boring, always changing and a great example of an amazing band doing what comes natural to them.

Rating:

B+ or A-

Kings of Leon Return with basics in Mechanical Bull

What: Music Review

Let's face it.
Kings of Leon is one of those bands we all began listening to some way or another in the past dozen years. Whether you were one of the first die hard fans who discovered them before they went big or afterwards, Kings of Leon has been defined as America's true rock band.  Back from a three year hiatus, the group has just released their new album, "Mechanical Bull," that's a break from their more commercialized tunes and a reminder of older material.
New fans should know this about Kings of Leon. You can literally see an intense, and maybe even awkward change in their music when they decided to go from their more harder edged tunes into their more commercial efforts like Come Around Sundown and Only by the Night. However, this change proved to be the right one as it was these albums that helped sky rocket the band into fame.
Now with "Mechanical Bull" the group have indeed returned to some of their earlier sounds throughout the album. It's a mixture of both hard rock edged tunes and pop commercial sounds and should be a pleasure to both old and new Kings of Leon fans alike.
Their hit single currently, "Supersoaker" is a reminder of earlier tunes and pre "sex on fire" days. Other worthwhile songs on the album include "Rock City" and "Family Tree".
While the album is a return to their older material, Kings of Leon still have plenty of room to expand if they'd like to favor who they really are instead of a more commercial rock band.

Grade: B

KT Tunstall returns with Invisible Empire//Crescent Moon

What: Music Review
who: KT Tunstall

Scotland singer song writer KT Tunstall makes you feel at her home with her latest album, Invisible Empire//Crescent Moon. The 38 year old musician returns with her fourth album and shows no sign of slowing down. Her voice is still excellent, and if anyone can carry such a full forced tune, It's KT. This album feels more intimate and relaxed than the others, especially her latest album, Tiger Suit, which may have been her worst. However KT rebounds powerfully with IECM, a soothing mixture of acoustic guitar, singing, emotion & beautiful flow.
With some artists, you can tell how much they've changed over the past few years, and this is surely true for KT Tunstall. First giving off pop rock vibes with tunes like "Black Horse & the Cherry Tree", KT now mostly uses her acoustic guitar as an advantage rather than the electric one.
The change pays off in her new album, and you could tell that most if not all the songs are deep from her heart, which always matters. Each of these songs are different from one another as well, especially the ending one (and single) "Feel it all" (not to be mixed with Fiest's "I feel it all") that's upbeat, poppy but still manages to be down to earth & a new version of KT we have not seen before.
Overall, the album succeeds and is a good welcome back to the familiar Scottish singer song writer we know.

B+
Her new single Invisible Empire:

Brave Serenade' Sleeping Passenger is a reminder of more upcoming talent in the modern age music world

What: Music Review
Who:
 Brave Serenade

"Sleeping Passenger" is the first Ep from California native group  Brave Serenade. Hailing from San Francisco, the group consists of vocalist Keller Orourke and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Colhoun. The group has recently been accepted to Pandora's music genome project. Their Ep is also available on ITunes & amazon.
The band's a fresh reminder they are NOT an another indie pop band from Los Angeles, but rather a more mature, fresh electronic duo from the northern part of the state. Their Ep, "Sleeping Passenger" consists of five songs that are up beat and positive.
"Maybe" holds a more poppy sound, while the other tracks show a more deeper touch as the skills of Jeff & Keller hold together as a duo are fully displayed. The group's a reminder of up and coming talent in the bay area in a time where electronic music is still in full swing across most of the nation and will be for a number of years.
Grade: B+ or A-
Video for "Maybe"

Grouplove crank it up with "Spreading Rumors"

What: Music Review
Who: Grouplove
Their new album "Spreading Rumours"

Grouplove, the little indie rock band that could, currently just released their sophomore album a few weeks ago this year in 2013 called "Spreading Rumours".
Not just another indie rock band from L.A. (although they kind of are), Grouplove exploded onto the music scene a few years ago with hit singles "Tongue Tied" and "Colours".
Grouplove is the ultimate female male combination and features lead singers Hannah Hooper (vocals) and Christian Zuccurini, also on lead guitar.
Now they've returned with a brand new single that's tearing up radio stations "Ways to Go" and a new album.
The album is an extreme delight, a reminder of Pixies and Cranberry songs alike, (there's even a song titled Raspberry on the album) with something new and a twist thrown in.
The album is another hit from Grouplove, and it doesn't disappoint from beginning to end. Like their first album, it deserves to be listened to several times as you never get bored with any of the songs. The song benefits from strong vocals from the two lead singers who's voices blend perfectly together and are an excellent mixture for the upbeat beats & sounds behind them.
The band even experiments on this album, which sounds great & unexpected. With "Spreading Rumours", Grouplove has classified their own sound, breaking away from the comparisons to Arcade Fire.
They are a band worth noting with a bright future should they continue to produce more albums as a group.

Extra note: Grouplove will be performing in Upstate NY twice this fall in October on a college tour run, performing in Rochester & Clinton, NY.

Grade:
A
The new single: WAYS TO GO:

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zero's new album is sub par compared to others

What: Music Review

             One of the many folk rock bands that appeared onto the music scene in the last half dozen years, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes proved their unique difference with hit singles like 'Home' and 'Man on Fire'.
             Hailing from Los Angeles, Edward Sharpe & his band has shown they have true talent and inspiration with love ballads and harmonies proving that their's still hope for indie folk artists.
The band is amazing live, and Edward Sharpe's connection with the crowd is unlike any other folk band out there in today's music world. During their performance at the 2009 Mountain Jam Festival, Edward Sharpe actually asked everyone in the crowd to sit down. (Which is a very unusual request at music festivals when its general admission standing). He then game out into the crowd and played 3 songs acoustically, singing proudly to everyone around him.
            Both their first two albums, Here & Up from Below, have made the band legendary success in the indie world. The two albums are unique in every way with each song being different from one other and rather interesting stories to them as well. Both albums were under the Rolling Stone's top ten albums of the year when they were released and were a huge success to both fans and critics alike.
Recently, Edward Sharpe & his band released their new self titled album.
             Non stop touring did not stop them from recording it, which only was released a mere year after their previous effort. However this may reflect & effect the general sub pareness of this album. While the 2013 effort by the band still has all the signature staples of Edward's Sharp's bizarre & intense lyrics, which almost dominate each song, the album itself as a whole fails expectations.
Perhaps this is because after putting out two sensational albums, everyone seemed to raise the bar for Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes. This album feels loose, strung out and strained, exactly what an album would feel like if it had to be written on the road. The focus seems diverted, and even Edward Sharpe's lyrics are a bit off centered and not as true to their original form as those on the last two albums.
          The album could have been a a lot worse, but with great new talent that the Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes have, one would expect at least a little better effort to be produced.

2.5 out of 5 stars

**/*

Home by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes premiered on their debut album several years ago:

The best album of 2013 so far is Same Trailer, Different Park

What: Music Review

Kacey Musgraves- Same Trailer, Different Park
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars      *****

The Best Album of 2013 so far Goes to…

Kacey Musgraves, Same Trailer, Different Park

            This one is so obvious that it hits you right in the face the first time you listen to it. I like to think of myself as a Rock and Roll fan and seldom listen to country music besides a few random Kenny Chesney songs and Allison Krauss. Not to say that I don’t like country. I don’t mind listening to country when it’s on the radio while someone else is enjoying it. I just prefer almost every other kind of music over it in my own personal time. That being said, the best album of the first half of 2013, and probably the entire year, is no doubt up and comer country heart throb Kacey Musgraves and her album ‘Same Trailer, Different Park’.

            Rolling Stone, Spin, Pitchfork Magazine, NY Times and many other well known music magazines have all sent out great reviews and acclaims for Same Trailer, Different Park. Everyone, (especially Kenny Chesney, who like me is in “love with her”, his exact words!), has now seemed to fall under her charming spell, soothing songs and powerful lyrics. Which is a bit surprising because a year ago, hardly anyone knew who Kacey Musgraves was. This isn’t to say 24 year old Texas born Kacey Musgraves is new to the country music scene. She’s actually been recording records since 2002. However, it was only until the beginning of this year that she literally exploded onto the country radio stations across the nation with her hit single ‘Merry Go Round’.

            It’s safe to say that her huge recent success is because of ‘Merry Go Round’, so let’s begin by talking about that song. First off, ‘Merry Go Round’ is one of the most talented and constructed songs to be released in the past several years in any genre of music. The metaphors, storyline and general over all feeling of the lyrics of the song proves that Kacey Musgraves has true talent in song writing. While the song is about many things, including heart brake, drugs, and small towns, it’s a true American Song. It’s no doubt that the lyrics and song writing here are ever so powerful and even a reminder of the Rolling Stone’s Symphony for the Devil. This is the song that within a few months made people start paying attention to the new up and coming female country singer and songwriter. Like many others, the first time I listened to the song in February, I wanted to hear it more and more and hear more from Kacey Musgraves.

            I got my wish mid March when her album, Same Trailer, Different Park, was released. I was half expecting that Kacey would be a one hit wonder who’s talent was jam packed in just one song. However, her entire album has the same power, intelligence and energy as ‘Merry Go Wrong’. It’s a surprise from the beginning to the very end, and every song is greatly enjoyable. Her talented song writing continues throughout the album and Musgraves never misses a single beat. While most of her songs maybe about simple things, like being a waitress and dandelions, they have a deeper meaning to them underneath the covers. This is what most country music should be about.

            Kacey Musgraves other true talent lies within her voice which is perfect for the type of music she plays. She’ll no doubt become a country star in the next few years, but she also sings a different type of country as well. This isn’t the studded pop country that’s been coming out over the past decade or so and what’s been popular like Kenny Chesney or Tim Mcgraw. This country is more raw and almost has a blue grass feel to it, stripping away the electric guitar and replacing it with upbeat rhythms and beats with many acoustic songs and touches. Her voice goes extremely well with the guitar playing, bass and drum work. The connections between the instruments and her voice are heard in every song. It starts growing on you and doesn’t stop.

            There’s been a lot of great albums released in 2013 in every genre of music, including the new albums by Daft Punk and Black Sabbath. However, a new country star has proven herself to be extremely talented and deserved to be paid attention to. The soothing sounds of Same Trailer, Different Park make it the best album of 2013 so far. Even if you don’t like country, the album is worth a listen to.  This is one where you can actually enjoy and pay attention to the lyrics in every song. So I highly suggest you do just that and put some new country on, something a little different that will come along way. 

Black Sabbath's 13 provides a fresh new start for the band

What: Music Review (Black Sabbath’s 13)

            Everyone’s first guide to Black Sabbath & Ozzy Osbourne should have been no doubt “Iron Man”. Forty three years later (and 13 albums) from when the metal titans released that famous tune, Black Sabbath is still producing new music in the form of newly released album Thirteen. Recently debuted at number one on the billboard charts, Thirteen proves Black Sabbath still has a dedicated following fan base, with perhaps a new few faces of the next generation thrown in the mix.

            It took Sabbath fifteen years to produce Thirteen, so, by the time of its final release, the music world was buzzing with excitement.  The album came off of a long time break from the band, who hadn’t done a full fledged tour in over half a decade, and who’s popularity seemed to have faded off into one of those classic rock bands played on your station who’s had their day and now are washed up hippies.

            But who are we kidding here, this ain’t no washed up hippie Backman Turner Overdrive reunion, this is Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne, the king of metal. And if anyone knows how to rock, it’s the prince of darkness himself. Despite Sabbath’s departure from the music world in the past decade, Ozzy has made the world clear from his many appearances on television that the Osbournes are not fading away anytime soon. And now, he’s back together with his band, Black Sabbath, to prove to us that those who fathered an entire genre of music (metal), are back and ready once again to melt faces.

            After reuniting at Lollapalooza, Black Sabbath announced it had plans for an entire new album. A year later, 13 has been released, just nine tracks long and a bit under an hour in length. While first listening to the album, it put a smile on my face. The amazing guitar riffs, Ozzy’s familiar voice, the drums and bass lines all point to two words: this is BLACK SABBATH. Each tune is a powerhouse, and the album, while maybe the restart to the band’s career, pulls us back to 1970 when Sabbath released it’s very first albums: Black Sabbath & Paranoid. Unlike what many bands are doing this year, Black Sabbath has returned to true form, and that, in any metal fan’s ears should be a blessing.

            Almost every song on the item is worth a listen too, and the album is surprisingly an easy listen to from front to back. More than half the time you can hear ozzy’s voice, and actually pretty well. The albums first single, ‘God is Dead’ supplies a well balanced rhythm of guitar, bass and vocals that in itself is difficult to find on some of the band’s mid career albums. Every song on the album also has a defining metal to it that must not be ignored in today’s music market. The trio of Black Sabbath has captured what it does the most on this album, and the outcome is magical.

            40 Years is a long time to be a band, especially a metal band. But the years hardly reflect at all on 13. The freshness of each tune pours out, and your once again welcomed to the early years of the Sabbath. So in a sense, 13 is completely a fresh start for the band as it’s done something that their fans all should want. A new album that delivers the classic, that raw sound of the beginning of metal. The lyrics are spot on, and Ozzy’s voice is surprisingly crispy clear in just one but every song on the album, and this is why the album will most likely grow on you and hopefully you’ll listen to it at least once and enjoy it every time.

            In short and summary, 13, the 13^th studio album from Sabbath, is a huge success. You have to give the band credit for coming back after fifteen years and finally putting out a new album. In the music world, fifteen years is a hell of a long time, and for Ozzy, Tony Iommi, and Geezer Butler (The original members no doubt) to come back and decide to produce an album is astonishing alone. Another surprise of 2013, 13 is well worth listening to. On this particular record, Ozzy does not disappoint.

 Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars ****

Album Review: Laura Marling-Once I was an Eagle

What: Music Review (Laura Marling - Once I was an Eagle)

         I’ve only recently began listening to Laura Marling and I’m sure glad I have. The 23-year old English singer song writer is not only amazingly beautiful, but also young and extremely talented. For those of you just discovering her, like I am, you should know that Laura Marling isn’t new to the music scene despite her age. Her new album, Once I was an Eagle, is actually her fourth studio album and she’s been producing music since 2008. However, Laura Marling is just now becoming popular across the big pond, and her music deserves a listen to by all modern day music fans, especially those craving for new talented musicians to listen to. Her newest album, Once I was an Eagle, displays her true talent. Although in my opinion is not as good as some of her previous efforts, the new album still displays who Laura Marling is and what she stands for.

        Over an hour long and constructed of folk, ‘Once I was an Eagle’ is the fourth studio album by the London born Laura Marling. The album simply consists of Laura and her singing while playing the guitar through every song. While that may not sound too appealing to some, it’s actually a pleasant and relaxing experience and a good break from the all the other harder edged music out there. Unlike her three previous albums, this album was not recorded with a band.

        Laura Marling is one of those artists who do not tour regularly, and seeing a performance by her is actually pretty rare. Her music may be defined as gentle and sweeping, soothing and interesting to all degrees of the matter. Her voice blends in well with her guitar playing and this connection can be especially heard on the new album. When artists break out of the band and focus their attention to simplifying things down is when you can really pay attention to the meaning of their music. The lyrics become more powerful than just a voice in the band, and the acoustic guitar sounds more triumphant then ever. This is the case with all songs on Laura Marling’s new album, ‘Once I was an Eagle’, and if you enjoy that kind of thing as much as I do, I strongly suggest it is worth a lesson too.

        Folk fans should be generally pleased with the album as each song is monumental force of folk like lore. Each song on the album is a bit different from last, which isn’t a bad thing at all. Laura’s powerful singing and song writing is more dominant here than her previous albums as well, and one can tell that her career as a musician has truly begun. The 23 year old sing song writer is coming out of her shell and her music has matured more and more. You can tell this alone by listening to the albums first singer, ‘Master Hunter’, which seems a lot deeper than most of Laura’s previous tunes.

       Laura Marling’s music has always been emotional, and that emotion carries well and hard edged into ‘Once I was an Eagle’. While some have compared her voice and song writing to Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, on this album Laura truly becomes herself and a one of a kind force to be reckoned with. Marling’s struggle with romance can be heard throughout the album as well.

      Although this new album may not be as catchy as her previous ones, it is a well-defined effort especially by one as young as Laura Marling. The album shows that she’s got talent and that talent can go extremely far in the future. Laura Marling’s singular voice is exceptional on this album, as well as her guitar playing. While each song is a little different than the last, they are all fairly good tunes and deserve a listen to if you’re a Laura Marling fan or just wanting to discover new, talented musicians. ‘Once I was an Eagle’ is overall a fine studio record produced by an up and coming singer song writer, Laura Marling.

Overall Rating:  3.5 out of 5 Stars  ***/*

Queens of the Stone Age ...Like Clockwork

What: Music Review

           Well, we waited six years for a new Queens of the Stone Age album. What we get from fellows Josh Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Dean Fertiita, Michael Shuman and Jon Theodore as well as Dave Ghroll on drums is a powerhouse album filled with great guitar work, rifts, solos and always talented song writing. The album delivers to be one of the best of the year I’ve listened to, and to answer everyone’s question, it was worth the sixth year wait.

       There is no question that Queens of the Stone Age fans are hard to come by. Many alternative rock n roll listeners tend to pass them by, and their oddball and unusual sound discourages them. Which of course is a mistake. That unusual oddball sound is why I like Queens of the Stone Age so much, and the fans they do have go all the way to supporting them. Its been so long since their last album, ‘Lullabies to Paralyze’, that the announcement of a new album came as a surprise to many. Being involved in several super groups and off projects, many thought that QOTSA would not return as a group to the music industry for quit some time. However, Josh Homme and company returned with full force with ‘Like Clockwork’, their sixth studio album to date.

       After that long wait, let me tell you it was nice to hear Josh’s haunting voice mixed in with those unique Queens of the Stone Age sounds. Unlike many artists these days or over the past few months even (can we say Paramore or Yeah Yeah Yeahs), the new Queens of the Stone Age album is not something new and different from the bands original sound. In fact, just the opposite, ‘Like Clockwork’ goes right back to the very roots of Queens of the Stone Age’ and sounds very much like their first album. The Queens have returned with their sound they have produced and preformed for over ten years now, and you can tell they are damn well proud of it, as they should be.

          However, that being said, there are some notable changes in this album versus previous Queens of the Stone Age efforts. ‘Like Clockwork’ benefits because it is more construct, more put together and works as a whole, where as their other albums seemed scratched up and a bit off centered on each tune. (Not that that’s a bad thing). The groups trademark sounds are all here on this album, but sound much more professional and focused into a single piece of work. The whole album sounds amazing listening to from track one to the very finish, and there isn’t a bad song on it. If someone should start listening to Queens of the Stone Age, I’d suggest this album be the first they should listen to fallowed by their earlier work before their claimed to fame album ‘Songs for the Deaf’.

           Lets talk about the single first, as many of you probably have heard ‘My God is the Sun’ by now on modern rock stations or should have. The song is one of the most powerful on the album, and delivers a power house performance by Josh Homme. You can really pay attention and bring out Josh Homme’s song writing in the tune just as well if not more so than the guitar work, drums and bass. Even the title is unique of the song is unique and makes you a bit more interested in giving the tune a listen to.

          Queens of the Stone Age have always benefited from Homme’s song writing, which is in full force on this album. Some other extremely unique songs where the sing writing is in full effect are ‘Smooth sailing,’ ‘I Appear Missing’, ‘If I had a Tail’, and ‘The Vampyre of Time and Memory’. Josh Holmes also plays guitar with the group as well and is a multi talented musician and should be respected among peers, fans and fellow musicians alike. Homes also writes all his own lyrics.

         The bass is notably powerful in all songs on this album, (as it always is with Queens of the Stone Age), and Michael Shuman delivers key note after key note that blends in perfectly with the rest of the sounds of the musicians on ‘Like Clockwork’.

        If you’re a die hard Queens of the Stone Age song you know that although the singles sound great, they aren’t necessarily the best songs on the albums. This is true in ‘Like Clockwork as well’, and after just one listen to, ‘Smooth Sailing’ became one of my favorite tunes on the track as well as ‘As I appear Missing’ and ‘If I had a Tail’. These songs also deserve a listen to if even if you aren’t a fan , and may make you start liking Queens of the Stone Age more and more.

        The new Queens of the Stone Age album, ‘Like Clockwork’, is one of the best albums of the year so far. Josh Homme and company teased us with a sixth year wait, and to once again clarify, it was worth it. They’ve been described as a desert band, as their music belongs deep in the Nevada desert blending in with the sand dunes and tumbleweed, and that sound is ever more present on this album. So if you are by chance driving through the desert, I highly suggest a listen to ‘Lile Clockwork’, or even if your at home or at the office. This album is a full tour de fource by Queens of the Stone Age and is their best album to date.

Overall Rating: 5 Out Of 5    *****

Paramore's new album self titled Paramore (1st review!)

What: Music Review

         My, My have things changed. Most of us in the punk/rock world remember when Paramore were just babies crawling out into the Universe and everyone saying, 'Dude, they've got a hot female redhead for a lead singer!'. Since then, Paramore has progressed to becoming a major rock band selling over a million albums, headlining festivals and selling out almost every one of their headlining tour dates. Paramore's third album, their self titled debut release named Paramore, is their most successful selling album so far. The new sounds of Paramore are greatly different then their last two albums in a nutshell. Like every band, with success comes change, and Paramore is no stranger to change.

Paramore's change did not only come through music, but of course drama and line up changes within the band. Just last year, the group lost two of its founding members, the brothers Farros, who played lead guitar and drums, respectfully. That is another story to be told for now. However, the band still continues on with three of its original members-Haley, the rhythm guitar player and bass player. Despite the new changes, the band isn't afraid to shape things up a bit with a new top selling album and tours (that have sold out almost everywhere).

The girl in us screams of those emo punk songs and hard lined edge Paramore has brought us in the past. But now, Paramore's music has changed from those punk songs into more materialized efforts that came out as an hour long album effort, complete with song interludes. One can be reminded of how Green Day changed greatly with 'American Idiot', but thankfully, Paramore hasn't changed that much. There are still some of those punk raging songs on the album that will make be punk rockers again, but most of the album has a tinted, softer affect to it. Even the hit single, 'Now' is a little bit more Tamer then all of Paramore's previous singles.

As a Paramore fan, I'm not essentially disappointed with the new change Paramore is going through. Every rock band goes through changes, especially ones fronted by female stars. In fact, now might be the perfect time for a new slight edge for Paramore's music as more and more new fans will join the cause. Haley's voice is as good as ever, and with just one listen to the album you can tell how much she has progressed as a lead singer.

With good comes the bad. While Haley's voice has progressed, her lyrics have not changed, and in order to really step up in the rock world, some of her songs need to have a deeper meaning to them. The new band needs to be able to find its right sound that matches with Haley as well, because we all know she is Paramore.

Despite the lack of lyrics and deeper meaning, some of the softer melodies of the album are actually extremely pleasant to listen to, and I was surprised at how much I did like the new sound. While some people may not agree, I think Paramore might be heading into the right direction with this album.

Fans of Paramore should no doubt listen to the album as it's better then alot of the other similar bands out there right now. Since their beginnings, and even since their last album everybody loved, Paramore has changed. You can decide for yourself if the change is good or not, but for me, this change signifies something a little bit different and musically entertaining in the Paramore world.

Overall Rating: *** out of 5 Stars

By Leo Pareti