Paramore Deserves Your Respect

I may be biased, but Paramore started to release music during a perfect time in the new age for punk rock and indie/alternative rock. Their first studio album—All We Know Is Falling—was released in 2005, between Green Day’s American Idiot 2004) and My Chemical Romance’s The Black Parade (2006); the stage was set for them to do something special. 

Admittedly, I’ve never actually listened to All We Know Is Falling. I was seven when it was released, and aside from “Decode” I don’t remember hearing about any other songs from the album. My introduction with the band came in the form of the song “Misery Business” from their Riot! album. I first heard the song as a part of a soundtrack in a video game, but Mis Bis is the song that had by far the biggest impact on me. I remember buying the album, or one of my parents bought it, and listening to it all the time. Mis Bis, “That’s What You Get”, “Fences”, and every other song on that album were the songs that filled up the most of my time, until Brand New Eyes was released. Brand New Eyes went into the CD player in my car directly after I bought it, and it didn’t come back out until the tracks started to skip from overuse. 

One of the most common criticisms I hear when it comes to Paramore is that they’re not rock anymore. I understand that sentiment, and I would like to offer a response: no shit. Hayley Williams—my queen—was like 16 years old when All We Know Is Falling was released. After Laughter, the band’s most recent studio album, was released in 2017. There was a 12-year gap between the two albums. I think it’s only natural that someone’s music evolves and grows along with them. 

Aside from being one of the most talented vocalists of the past 20 years—I will fight you on that—Hayley and the gang are just good people. Hayley has consistently spoken up about the need for social reform like mental health awareness—Petals for Armor is basically her story—, gender equality, and LGTBQ+ rights and protection. Zac has continually put out the message that everyone is welcome in Paramore’s community, even going so far as to call out his own brother, and I don’t pay much attention to Taylor’s online presence, but if Hayley and Zac have faith in him, I trust their judgement that he’s great. 

Paramore has been through many ups and downs over the past 15 years, but they’ve always released consistently quality music. Hayley just released her first solo album, and they’re already talking about releasing another album together. They’re just as good, arguably better than they were in 2005, and it’s about time people acknowledge that. 

P.S.: “Misguided Ghosts” is a 10/10 song and I highly recommend it.