Seeing With New Eyes

Artist: Paramore

Album: Brand New Eyes

Release: 2009

Tracks: 11

The third full studio album from Paramore, Brand New Eyes had a bit of a reputation to live up to. After the explosive success of Paramore's first two albums, some were worried that the success of the band would die out over time. However, Brand New Eyes definitely proved those people wrong. Hayley Williams has vocals that are almost immediately recognizable anywhere, and the guitar riffs of Josh Farro and Taylor York hold a unique sound that can be identified with the band. Jeremy Davis and Zac Farro work extremely well together to set the beat of the song, working off of each other as they perform their seperate parts. Together, these people form Paramore and the sound that we can identify with them when we hear their music.

Brand New Eyes starts out with "Careful", a song that sets a mood suggesting "rock" when you hear the opening guitar riff. "Ignorance" also suggests a rock-type mood, with a mix of alternative sound. The guitar keeps an even timing for the verses, providing a new sound during the chorus and bridge, boosting the vocals of the song nicely to make it memorable. "Playing God" has a softer sound to it compared to the first two tracks, though it makes its own impression on you. The chorus and bridge are what hold the song together, especially after a few repetitions. "Brick By Boring Brick" has a steady bass beat that provides the backbone for the song, keeping time even when the guitar and drums take over during the chorus and bridge. "Turn It Off" heavily features the drums to keep timing, though the guitar has its own part in the song. The chorus of this song is one that will keep you coming back for more of this song once you've heard it a few times. "The Only Exception" has an acoustic sound to it for most of the song, telling the story of a girl who promises never to sing of love unless it really exists - except for this once. This song left a lasting impression on me, and the meaning of the words struck home, as I'm sure it was intended to. "Feeling Sorry" leaves the chorus and bridges to the guitar and drums, while the vocals in this song provide a nice flair that identify it as Paramore, rather than any other alternative-rock band out there. The bass has the true spotlight in "Looking Up", where it is featured even more heavily than the drums for most of the song, especially the verses. "Where the Lines Overlap" has amazing double vocals to kick off the song, returning throughout the song for various harmonies that provide a unique vocal part in this song. The guitar riff that persists throughout most of "Misguided Ghosts" catches your attention as soon as the song starts, providing the timing for the song. The song is a softer ending to the album, though it leaves its own mark on you in a different way than the louder songs on the album.

Brand New Eyes made its own mark in the music industry, standing apart from its predecessors. The slightly different sound to the album still pleases the most, if not all, of Paramore's old fans, and still manages to attract new listeners. The difference of this album compared to the first two albums reflects the changes withing the members of the band and the band itself. However, most would agree that the changes ended up being for the best, as we can see with the result: Brand New Eyes. Hopefully, you can view the album with new eyes as well.

Are You A Belieber?

Artist: Justin Bieber
Album: My World 2.0
Released: 2010
Tracks: 10

This album makes a sugary sweet (or terribly sour--it depends on who you ask) opening with one of Bieber's most successful tracks: "Baby". "Baby" takes something that every teenage boy and girl goes through and adds a catchy beat that will have you singing this Beliber anthem for the forseeable future. "Somebody to Love" also displays a solid dance beat, but not much in the way of lyrics. They accompany the song nicely, but don't stir an extremely amazed reaction as you listen. "Stuck in the Moment" is possibly the most honest of songs on Bieber's album. The overall theme of the album to document his lovelife, often times using shallow comparisons and an almost childlike repetition of lines through paraphrasing. "Stuck in the Moment", however, displays the most depth and is the least commercialized of Bieber's releases. "U Smile" is another notable song on this album, letting Bieber's charming vocals take the spotlight over the beats that constantly crowd his songs. "Runaway Love" carries the best beat of the album and compliments Bieber's vocals very well. "Never Let You Go" is a mild piece which doesn't quite catch your attention outright. "Overboard" contains a collaboration with Jessica Jarrell, who helps the song immensely and allows Bieber to make it a success. "Eenie Meenie" takes you on a spin of an old nursery saying, with Sean Kingston being the highlight of the track. Bieber tries to hold your interest, but the true attention grabber of this song is Kingston, who dominates most of the piece. "Up" demonstrates adorable rhyming lyrics that you can't help but memorize. "That Should Be Me" is a great acoustic closing track, one of the strongest of the album.
As an emerging artist, Bieber has nothing to complain about with millions of global fans that sit back and watch as he gains more everyday. However, he is an amateur in appealing to a wider audience than starstruck preteens. In order for him to find his way musically, he needs time, which some won't give him. He's not a predictable classic, but is a promising artist, if he plays his cards right. If Bieber was just looking for somebody to love him, he's definitely found them.