Paramore - This Is Why (February 10, 2023) Album • Page 83

This is 100% what's been missing for me lately. I wasn't sure if I'd reached a point where I've just heard too much music so none of it surprises/grabs me anymore or if the songwriting is just kind of "meh", but you're right. I thought I was going crazy haha

 

I mean...yeah. I broadly agree with all of that. It's not even really the subjectivity of hooks - I think some hooks are objectively 'hookier' than others and it's ok to critique a band/artist for the quality of their hooks. It's just that that particular example is so obviously and frequently used in a way that excuses the listener from properly engaging with an album. Throw it on, get to the end..."Uggh I can't remember any of it!!!!"

And as was evidenced in my initial comment, it seems to piss me off quite royally ha!

 

I thought After Laughter was a satisfying, nice way for a pop-punk-ish/emo-ish band to mature out of a more youthful energetic sound yet maintain a similar level of playfulness and energy.

New album is, IMO, as a casual listener, more of an example of maturing out of the youthful sound by keeping the overall vibe but making it slower, dryer, and more post-rock-y serious adult biz.

That is how I’d expound on how After Laughter hits different to me.

 

I’ve had the first two choruses from this album stuck in my head all day.

 

It’s just really weird to be upset some random person on the internet isn’t as into an album as you.

 

That's exactly what has been confusing me. I thought it was a personal decision, and now it sounds like they're trying to blame that decision on someone else?

 

Wow, this album is absolutely wonderful. I particularly loooove the second half of it.

 

Sometimes choruses arent written to be catchy, and it’s completely up to the songwriter on whether the intention of their chorus was to be catchy or not, but there are songs on this that I feel were written to be hooks but aren’t. I don’t think they’re any less good though, just not something that will immediately grab its listener.

 

My only contribution to the whole “hook” conversation is to reiterate the distinction that Paramore has kind of always been a band known for immediately infectious, powerful choruses. If someone finishes this and only feels like one or two stood out then I’d argue noting that is not the reactionary take it’s being framed as

But at the very least, Taylor, Zac, and Brian are all displaying some of the most interesting pop rock music out there right now, it’d be a bummer to dismiss the record just because the vocal melodies aren’t quite there

 

For sure, but I'm also glad that people are doing that again over a band like Paramore. It's annoying, but it also means passion for this type of music still exists. And that's relieving considering the state of recent music.

 

you ever have eel with natty sauce?

 

You and your goddamn natty sauce

 

This is absolutely great. Back half makes it.

 

couldn’t be me

 

I love you.

 

damn, she's so effortless

 

Urghh the gold looks awesome, I want my vinyl now!
I wish the Targets in NYC actually carried vinyl/music. Hate having to order online when I got a store right down the road.

 

Not doing much for me unfortunately.

Some pleasing moments, but ultimately a step down as a whole following After Laughter.

Personally, I enjoy Paramore most when they have huge, infectious choruses - which I'm struggling to hear on this. Well, aside from “The News” which is S tier Paramore vocally, but could be even bigger with a little gain guitar wise.

As previously mentioned, the musicianship is very impressive, but the production sounds empty. The drums especially sound flat and lifeless. Taylor’s guitar work is exceptional however - I just wish he'd mix it up a little more in regards to tone.

Happy their back, especially after everything they’ve been through together as a band, but this just isn’t for me.

 

No, but I've had my fair share of Natty Ice:

 

Has anyone got the collector's edition? Is it worth it? I didn't like the shirt that came with it and it wasn't clear what else was in the box

 

Ooh, might grab this if I come across it at Target this weekend.

Usually not a fan of "gold" variants, but this one looks cool.

 

Not the type of album I think of when I listen to Paramore. It doesn’t make it a bad album, just not what I think the band does best…