Paramore opens Brand New Eyes
Posted by The Skyliner on October 7th, 2009Candice Paschall
Staff Writer
Brand New Eyes could have a multitude of meanings, but in this case it is the name of Paramore’s newest album. The fiery quintet hailing from Franklin, Tenn., released their newest eleven-track album on Sept. 29.
Brand New Eyes is a follow-up to 2007’s RIOT!, which sold more than two million copies worldwide and gave fans the explosive singles “Crushcrushcrush” and “That’s What You Get.” After such an impressive sophomore release, one can imagine the difficulty in giving fans yet another album worthy of such praise.
Brand New Eyes is very different from RIOT!, both lyrically and musically.
“I hope that every record is a progression for us, but this one is definitely a huge leap from RIOT!,” Paramore’s front woman Hayley Williams said on the band’s Web site.
Instead of the usual rock anthems that fans have become accustomed to, this album’s songs are more thought-provoking lyrically speaking. Musically, Brand New Eyes is more diverse than either of the band’s two previous albums. A few tracks are reminiscent of the rock numbers of RIOT!, while others are sure to be hits on pop radio, and still others borrow influences from indie bands like Death Cab for Cutie.
Fans seem to have mixed reactions concerning the newest addition to the Paramore discography.
“So far I like it, but it’s not what I expected,” Kady Culbertson, a loyal Paramore fan and Southern Weselyn University student, said.
“I think that the new album is a great addition to Paramore’s already amazing music. I really appreciate the intensity that they brought to this album,” Patrick Bailey, sophomore christian studies, said.
So, the diversity of Brand New Eyes is not bad, it is just different and unexpected. This makes listening to the album all the way through exciting since listeners never know what they will hear next.
The album’s first single, “Ignorance,” is the one track that sounds the most like RIOT!. “The Only Exception” is a love song written in indie fashion, while “Misguided Ghosts” also sounds very indie, but is a really raw, heartfelt track. “Playing God” is about judging others and in the chorus says, “Next time you point a finger/I’ll point you to the mirror.” “Careful,” “Feeling Sorry,” and “All I Wanted” are all break-up songs that anyone can relate to. “Brick by Boring Brick” is probably the best song on the album, with the most abstract lyrics.
Although Brand New Eyes is a definite change from their previous works, it is one that shows how the band is not afraid to try new elements that will diversify themselves. Such a different approach makes it apparent that the band members do not let their widespread popularity go to their heads, but rather take it as an opportunity to grow both musically and lyrically.
Tags: Fall 2009, Vol. 109 - Issue 5