Customer Reviews
Rocking stuff - By: E. Roosendaal, 05 Oct 2008 
So many US bands deliver not-too-bad yet easily forgettable emo-albums these days. So I didn't expect all that much from Paramore after buying this on the strength of their excellent 'Misery business'. How wrong I was.
Opener 'For a Pessimist' sets the tone for the entire album: a blistering rocker with a catchy chorus. And the pace never lets off from there. Crushcrushcrush & That's What You Get are two more standouts, but the band sounds very accomplishedin mid-tempo songs like When it Rains & We Are Broken as well. Singer Hayley Williams is first class - the way she holds her longer notes could teach many of her collegues a thing or two (are you payin' attention, Mariah Carey??).
All of Riot!'s eleven excellent tracks were composed by the band, which is even more impressive considering their youthfulness. The guitars sound great, the drums are creative, the production is flawless & the lead singer looks like an angel. What more could we possibly ask for?
Polished sophomore effort from Tennessee pop punks. - By: H. Knowles, 14 Aug 2008 
A good, catchy pop rock album... but the overall the album is a lot less genuine, it's very clear how deliberately polished each track is & how much effort went into the commercial appeal of the sound & image.
I have to say that I prefer All We Know Is Falling purely for the rawness of the bands sound. The lyrics of Riot! are perhaps more complex, but the simplicityin All We Know Is Falling's lyrics boast much more spirit & emotion than this sophomore effort.
It is also pretty difficult to pick any tracks that stand out as much to me, while it's easy to claim Riot! is a stronger albumin all the technical aspects, none of the tracks capture my heart the way Pressure, Emergency & pretty much every other All We Know Is Falling track did. It seems that as Hayley's hair became more processed, so did the music!
However, if you're a pop or a rock fan then I'm sure you will enjoy this album & will be able to look past all the stuff that prevents me from doing so as much.
Brilliantly catchy - By: Mart Music, 27 May 2008 Formedin Franklin, Tennesseein 2004 Paramore are a four piece band led by teenage female vocalist Hayley Williams backed by Josh Farro on guitar/vocals, brother Zac on drums & Jeremy Davis on bass.
Paramore - the unusual name is derived from a former member's maiden name & the word `paramour' meaning secret lover - are variously described as power pop, punk/alternative rock & emo, & their influences, according to their website, are all US bands of similar punk/rock/indie/alternative styles.
Orange-haired, brightly dressed singer Hayley cuts a striking image & the comparisons to Gwen Stefani, Kelly Clarkson & Avril Lavigne are inevitable, but this is no brat teenager-in-a-tantrum pleading for understanding, it's one who is confident, enthusiastic, full of raw energy & intends to have fun whatever life throws at her. Her appeal is wide-ranging - a readers poll by Kerrang! magazinein 2006 voted her number 2 `Sexiest Female' (beaten by Amy Lee of Evanescence) &in an articlein NME magazine she was described as `young, articulate & with plenty to say'. But the other members too must take equal credit for the bands appeal, being nominated for `Best New Artist'in the 50th Grammy Awards ceremonyin February 2008, butin losing out to first-placed Amy Winehouse suggests that not everyone wants to listen to happy music!
For me, everything about this album shouts `fun', from the name `Riot' which was chosen because it means `a sudden outburst of uncontrolled emotion', to the barrage of unrestrained energy & excitement which infects every one of the 3 to 4 minute-long tracks. The album reached number 15 & 24in the U.S & U.K charts respectively & its importance to the band is summed up by Hayley Williams (on their official website):
"We want everyone to hear this album. We want to take it as far as we can. 'RIOT' is everything we ever wanted to say on one album. If it all ended today, this is what we'd want to be remembered for".
For a band with an album which is as good as this, it really shouldn't end for a long while yet.
ARRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! - By: Ms. Rebecca J. Prescott, 20 May 2008 
I made the mistake of borrowing this album from a friend. Well...when I say friend, I obviously mean 'person who I used to like & have respect for, but for whom I now wish a slow & painful deathin the not too distant future.'
From the very beginning, I was aurally assaulted by the annoying caterwalling of Hayley whateverhernameis & the pathetic & predictable, emo/punk/cliched simple accompaniment. And as time went on, it only worsened, with tragic tales of teenage toss-pottery echoing around the room like a sulking Kevin or Perry on helium.
After the third song I had to break one of my own fingers to make sure that I was still alive & not, as one would assume, somewherein the seventh circle of hell, fighting for some kind of divine intervention. Christ....I was even contemplating listening to some Elliot Minor or Little Chris to save me at this point.
I don't remember much of song 4, only that it irked me so immensely that I removed said CD from the machine & flung it across the room like some kind of ninja drinks coaster. Where it landed is anybody's guess...I didn't go to find it & when my 'friend' enquired as to it's whereabouts I gave him a tenner & told him to go & buy some real music.
As for the offending Paramore CD....well i think it may have slunk back to the vengeful pit from whenst it came, returning to the fold of evil & despondent dirge, only to come back sometimein the futurein an even more revoltingly abhorrent form.
And from the look of that Limahl-esque, camp, pop/emo offering going by the name of Madina Lake, I'd say the second coming is upon us.
So yeah, not the best CD I've heard this year.
This will cause a RIOT!!! - By: Christopher W. R. Bevan, 03 May 2008 Paramore have been on quite a journey since they started with their first teen angst fueled pop punk album 'All We Know Is Falling' which certainly attracted some attention (Mostly guys....What?! She's hot!).....Although without a doubt, Hayley Williams is far by one of the most impressive female singers there is & could easily rival the likes of Avril Lavigne & Juliet Simms...Hands down! And this album is no different.....
'Riot!' delivers an emotional rollercoaster of high's & lowsin the life of a pop punk teen icon & guess what?? We're all invited for the ride! The best thing about all these songs is that most people can relate to them, they're accessible & delivered with raw emotion which is shown by Hayley's magnificent vocal range!
Ok I'm rambling but seriously this album is incredible! The opener 'For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic' will no doubt blow you away! From the start you can tell, they've improved so much. The musical arrangements are so much better, the vocals are perfect (as ever), the drums definately hit harder & the overall album is more anthemic, bouncy & lively! But they can't help going back to basics with 'That's What You Get' which reminds you so much of 'Here We Go Again' but you can see how much passion they put into there music. This album covers all the bases, you have 'Let The Flames Begin' & 'Born For This' which are bold, boisterous & loud with the equally bedazzling 'Crushcrushcrush' & 'Fences' which'll just leave you bouncing around like a demented child because its so damn catchy!!!! Of course we can't forget the singles 'Misery Business' & 'Hallelujah' which are so energetic & uplifting you just can't help but smile & dance along!
Lastly, there's 'When It Rains' & 'We Are Broken', a few ballads to throw into the mix which are equally as good & could rival Avril Lavigne's 'Keep Holding On' & 'Why'.
To finish this review I'm going to have a rant at Kerrang;
1. This album is not worth KKK whatsoever!
2. 'Hallelujah' isnt to 'lukewarm results'!
3. And damn anyone who listens to those reviews.........because they lie! 'Riot!' is pop punk bliss & anyone who says different should be shot! Becausein the end this is what it's all about! Songs to make you laugh, to make you cry & to turn up to full blast & have some fun, & these guys bring itin spades! =]
Can't wait for the next album!!!! =]
Top Tracks: Fences, Hallelujah, Misery Business
