A Single... Or Two?

Whenever a single that peaks my interest is released, I buy it from iTunes. I have no record stores located anywhere within my area. Even with the recent raise in price (29 cents), I'll buy it if I'm interested in the upcoming album. I have no problem with the fact that I'll buy that same exact song on disc later. That's just the way it goes. But when the artist releases a single several months before the albums release date and then releases another, I have a problem. The artist may even release half of the album in the form of digital singles. Why would I buy these songs if I have the intent of buying the full album? This new money making scheme occurs mostly in very mainstream pop artists that I don't listen to, but every once in a while, it will hit one of my favorite bands. The most recent would be Flyleaf. One event that confused me the most was when Jason Mraz released several digital EP's containing songs from his newest album, We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things. Almost the entire record was available digitally before the physical album was released. I only bought I'm Yours. I guess this is just another business move to make more money. The one thing that record companies don't realize is that they are risking a lower amount of sales when the album is released. Oh well, I'll just continue buying the first single and waiting a little longer for the rest.

Paramore - Brand New Eyes

In late 2007, I discovered what would soon become one of my favorite bands. I was listening to your everyday top 40 radio station when Paramore's biggest hit Misery Business came on. The song caught my attention immediately. My initial reaction was that the song actually stood out between the usual pop and hip-hop that's played. It was something that I wouldn't usually expect to break the into the regular radio rotation, aside from alternative and rock stations which are non-existent where I live. Soon after hearing the song, I bought their 2007 album, Riot!. Then, soon after that, I discovered their debut, All We Know Is Falling. I just bought their third album Brand New Eyes, and it's being played constantly.

The lead single, Ignorance, was featured in my very first playlist. It's as close to Riot! as you're going to get. The rest of the album is more mature than their sophomore release. Paramore goes deeper with more complex lyrics, and even a couple acoustic songs. Riot! was a bundle of energy, fun, and anger. Brand New Eyes takes some of that energy, but at the same time slows down for the moments which stand out the most.

The Only Exception and Misguided Ghosts are stripped down ballads. I feel that they are some of the strongest lyrical content that, singer, Hayley Williams has produced. Misguided Ghosts is an almost-folk song which is comprised of mostly an acoustic guitar, played by guitarist Josh Farro, and vocals. The song comes right before the album closer, All I Wanted. All I Wanted truly proves the power of Williams' vocals.

I always found it hard to name Paramore's best album, and with Brand New Eyes being released, it's even harder. Each album has it's own style. All We Know Is Falling is the most raw and distorted. Riot! is their most energetic album and was their break into the mainstream. Brand New Eyes is Paramore's more mature and defining album. Their previous albums almost seem like steps leading to Brand New Eyes. If you're unsure, I would definitely check out this album. If you thought Paramore was too poppy, they've changed. Brand New Eyes introduces the new, more mature, Paramore.