I don't know if this will make you feel better or worse but literally when that's what you get was released the livejournal fans were up in arms about how it was "lifeless" and didn't sound like "real honest paramore" so like, haters gonna hate, they're never gonna get it.
Finally managed to find time to listen to this album all the way through and have to say it's better than I was expecting having heard the first single (worst track on the album in my opinion) the rest of the album is definitely more enjoyable. However I don't think they take full advantage of Hayley's vocals on this album. I get what they are trying to do though and as poppy as it is (not my favourite genre of music) it is still undeniably catchy. An enjoyable listen and definitely going to give it a few more spins over the coming months.
Ever since I read the p4k review for The Hotelier's It Never Goes Out, I stopped taking that site (and specifically Ian Cohen) seriously.
For real. We have bands like La Dispute and The Front Bottoms out there and people are complaining about Hayley William's vocals? That's just ridiculous.
Or people maybe don't like her vocals on one specific part of one song lol, no need to be so dismissive here. There's no "complaining" going on, people are just sharing opinions.
I CAME HERE FOR THE FULL ON OPINION SHAMING. Luljk. I get it. Honestly though, the one big take away I have from this album is her move away from the "snotty" vocal stylings of a pop punk artist. Obviously they've been progressively moving away from that genre, but her vocal styles on this album really make it stand out.
What are people beefin about anyways? I haven't heard Idle Worship yet. For what it's worth, I found when Paramore first started that Hayley's vocals were a little shouty - strong belter no doubt but perhaps it went with their slightly edgier music. I think she's become a better singer and much more pleasant to listen to as they've become poppier.
yeah shes always had a powerful voice but here it sounds even more crystal clear. i like when she belts it out though, "Careful" is my favorite Paramore song so yeah big fan of that. Shes also got a hell of a range like holy shit.
I never really gave this band a chance until this new album which I'm enjoying but hasn't Hayley pretty much always been considered one of this scene's strongest vocalists?
You can definitely tell the difference and strength in her voice from the debut to now. A lot more range and skill.
I think she's always had the pipes but now she has learned how to write better vocal melodies to match her skills
Skill is the operative word. She's become less and less of a blunt instrument as the band has progressed.
"When It Rains" was the first time I was really sold on her voice. She's got such a good tone when it suits the song.
I remember reading a lot about how during the break between BNE and s/t she worked on her vocals a lot with different professionals and it helped her increase her skill, leading to stuff like the high notes in Still Into You, and just more interesting performances across the board. (I've always loved her vocals on everything FWIW)
Yeah I've always liked Hayley's voice, but she's much more dynamic here. Songs like Careful and All I Wanted prove that, yeah, sure, she can sing, but it takes more than hitting notes no one else can to be a good songwriter. This is her best vocal performance easily.
Liking her voice isn't so much the issue at hand. More the way she uses it, turning from a very effective belter to a very effective singer.
curious, who would you put into that list of more dynamic, effective vocalists from this "scene" in particular. There are some go to names I can think of but I know you would have an interesting perspective.