I cannot help but think that Paramore would have been a band that I would have been obsessed with when I was 12 years old. Funny, even now in my adult world, I find myself singing along to their songs.

The great thing about “Riot”, Paramore’s 2nd and most popular album to date, is that is that the mixing done on this album was top notch. The soft parts are soft, the loud parts are loud, and Haley’s voice powers through the whole album. I count the numbers of times where I have sat down and listened to a great album, only to find myself cringing over the awful mixing of the album. When listening to Haley’s voice, it just flows regardless of the pitch of her voice.

I grew mostly out of my pop punk stages long before Blink-182 broke up, but Paramore does provide a refreshing taste of music with catchy music and chunky guitars. And regardless of their age, if just listening to the album or the songs, I would never guess they are as young as they are, if I didn’t already know.

Pros: Haley’s voice is amazing with awesome tones. Guitars are rich in sound, and lyrics are easy to relate to. Misery Business the albums 4th track is comedic in lyrics, and is easily related to by females such as myself. I am not going to go too far from the norm here, because crushcrushcrush is by far the best track on the album. Mixed great, thumping drums, chunky guitars, catchy lyrics, what more can one ask for?

Cons: Too warm and fuzzy. Yes, there is such a thing. Even though there are sad songs, none of the songs actually make me feel sad. When I listen to a song that is supposed to be about despair, I want to feel it, not just hear words about it. I have to be in a good mood to listen to this album, otherwise I find it slightly annoying and gushy. Never a bad thing when I’m happy…never a good thing when I am not.

Favorite Songs: Crushcrushcrush. Fences. Misery Business. When it Rains. That’s what you get.

Least Favorite: We are Broken. Born for This.

At any rate, I have always been an Alkaline Trio fan, and it’s not going to change now. I got a chance to listen to Agony and Irony lately. Every Alkaline Trio album that comes out I think to myself “I don’t like this as well as the last album” but then a few days later, I cannot stop listening to it. Currently, I am listening to Love Love Kiss Kiss and it sort of puts that quirky smile on my face that I would get when I was 12 and saw a cute boy. Being all most 27 and married, I can still relate to the lyrics though.

See, that’s what’s great about Alkaline Trio. When I was a teenager, I could relate, and now as an adult, I can relate just the same. I was quite worried when I found out they were going major label, and while it does not sound as rough as some as the later albums, it is still sweet and sincere, yet haunting at the same time.

So here it goes:

Pros: The lyrics blend beautifully. There are catchy hooks sing song phrases that one can easily cruise down the highway while belting them out. The songs are light enough to be able to relax to them. I guess if you are looking for an all out rock album, then that would not be a pro, but I have nights when I get home from work, and the last thing I want to hear are shredding riffs, so this works for me. Lost and Rendered is pretty upbeat and has some darn catchy guitar in it. If I was seeing them play this album live, I would be bobbing my head rather than moshing, but once again, sometimes that’s just okay…

Cons: Compared to other AT3 albums, I do find this one to be a little slower, and more clean cut. And here comes the bad analogy. It’s like a good looking guy going into the military. He is going to come out still good looking, just not as rough around the edges and lacking slight personality. I cannot say the album is highly original, but I cannot say it’s just like the rest of what is out there either. Alkaline Trio has always had their own personality and style when it comes to their music, and this album holds true…in a mellow sort of way.

Favorite Songs: Calling all skeletons. Over and out. Love love kiss kiss. Lost and rendered. Help me. Ruin it.

Least Favorite Songs: I found away. Do you wanna know. Live young die fast.