Decoding Paramore

Haley Williams is a powerful vocalist and performer. With songs like "Misery Business" and "Brick by Boring Brick" she brings the listener along on a whirl wind of energy. However, she can just as quickly have you softly swaying as she sings "We Are Broken" or "Misguided Ghosts." And lyrically, it only gets better.

With the album "Riot" going platinum, the fan base grew solid. The more popular songs, such as "CrushCrushCrush" and "Misery Business" being played on local radio stations brought the spotlight. I find other songs on this album to be outstanding in a different way. From the first haunting piano cord, "We Are Broken" had me hooked. It's filled with such raw emotion as the words "we just want to be whole" are poured out of Haley's tiny frame. It's a song that calls to me on a very emotional and spiritual level. I can almost always guarantee a tear or two when this is playing. But with with a push of a button, I can be brought to my feet to dance along with the tune of "Fences." To me, this reminds me of zoot suites and swing dancing. It's a fun, upbeat song that speaks about putting on a smile and brave face, even when you may not feel it. It's about how to keep up the appearance so no one sees you crack. And let's not forget the powerhouse anthem of "Born For This." It tells us to "sing, like it's the last song you will ever sing." It's one to belt out when you want the world to know that you are okay with being exactly who you are.

For anyone that thought one album was all they could do, Paramore showed us all when Bright New Eyes hit the shelves. Keeping up with the momentum following Riot, they proved that once again, they knew how to bring out the feeling in you. "Ignorance" is about friends growing apart. With it's raw aggression and power, it lets us know that it's okay to be us and if someone else has an issue with that, it's on them. The simple guitar stringing out "Only Exception" tells the story of a girl that was afraid of love, until she found the one guy that made it worth it. "Playing God" reminds me of how others can be total hypocrites and judgmental. Haley's advice? Easy. Just point them to the mirror.

With every breath, beat, and note Paramore has filled our hearts and soul with great music. Time a time again, they prove they can do it all. And they can do it their way.