Paramore Conspiracy Theories

AWKIF: 9.5/10

Uploaded: 11:58pm April 3rd 2018

Hey guys!

Time to review the debut album by Paramore; All We Know Is Falling. It's my second favorite Paramore album, and actually it was my favorite for a while even after Self-Titled came out. I didn't really start appreciating S/T until 2014, before that I though AWKIF was their best work. Let's get to the review.

Things I Like:

Lyrics:

The lyrics on AWKIF are some of my favorite. There's just something so honest and angsty about them. I've kinda had this mindset that in most cases someone's first album is usully their best. Their no one, they have nothing to prove, most of the time they're doing this because they have something they want to say. This applies to albums like Avril Lavigne's Let Go, her first and in my opinion best album, when she was just a girl with a guitar who wanted to make music because she loved it. Very rarely do people ever top their first album for me, except when Paramore did with Self-Titled years later. 

The lyrics on AKWIF are emotional, raw, and real. They tell you first hand how Hayley felt about her parents divorce, her faith, her relationship with Josh. She screamed the things she felt unapologetically. The lyrics to this album hit me in a way not many have. I, like many people, am very impressed that a 15 year old wrote these lyrics. This album showed many people that Hayley was wise beyond her years, and that Paramore were capable of connecting with an older audience. The lyrics are earnest and real, giving Paramore staying power, and respect from their peers. Hayley had the unique ability to emote when she sang perfectly, and combined with these lyrics it was amazing. When she screamed that she wouldn't forget Jeremy's betrayal, we could all feel the hurt and anger in her voice.

The Music:

I don't usually enjoy Josh Farro's brand of guitar/drum heavy dark music that often, and over the course of three albums I grew tired of it. On AWKIF, though, Josh's score feels perfect, and perhaps that's because loud, angry music goes perfect with the sort of angsty lyrics Hayley was writing at the time. Some of my favorite guitar work from Josh is on this album, my favorite being the solo in Emergency, which I knew I had to learn how to play on guitar as soon as I could.  I find Zac Farro's driving drum style very fresh and well placed on this record as well, for a 14 year old who had only been drumming a few years he sounded a lot better that 90% of punk drummers at the time. 

The message:

Like I said, first albums are great. And what I love about the message behind Paramore at this time was it was just a bunch of goofy kids following their dream. They came off extremely relatable and down to earth, unlike a lot of musicians at the time. They were just a group of kids who got a lucky break, and wanted to share their talent with the world. Hayley Williams was strictly against girly clothes and makeup at the time, which really helped inspire a lot of girls who didn't connect with the "girly" style, and made them feel they had someone to look up to.

Things I Dislike:

Vocals:

Actually I wanna say I love how strong Hayley's voice was at this time, and her belting was unmatched by any other singer. My problem was besides being able to belt for days, Hayley Williams felt the need to scream everything at us. Some songs, like Conspiracy and My Heart, got much better over time when Hayley's technique improved. Songs like those didn't need the loud belting and shouting, and since her voice has mellowed and she's gained more control over the years, they sound even more incredible when she performs them now. 

Least Favprite Track(s):

Whoa:

Josh Farro wrote the one word chorus to this, and in my opinion it's disappointing when compared to the incredible lyrics on the rest of the album. It's too simple, and compared to the other's sounds like filler.

Favorite Track(s):

Franklin:

A deep, personal ballad about home sickness. Franklin has my favorite vocals on the whole record. Hayley and Josh's harmonies are effortless, and the instrumental is beautiful. This song in particular sounds incredible now that Hayley's voice has matured.

That's my review of AWKIF, tell me how you feel about the album in the comments, thanks for reading guys. - H