BrandNewEyes-Paramore

It's finally here. "Brand new eyes" is the latest and third studio album released by pop-rock sensation Paramore. Produced by Rob Cavallo, noted for his work with the infamous Green Day and My Chemical Romance, great things could be expected of the new record. And true to our expectations, it doesn't dissapoint! Picking things up where "Riot!" left off, the album stays true to the fast paced melodies and the quirky lyrics, all brought together by front woman, Hayley Williams' powerful vocals. Nontheless, the band do have some suprises in store for us. The album not only boasts power fueled anthems but also has it's fair share of slower, ballad type records. A totally new direction for the Tenessee based five piece. Since starting out in 2004 with their debut single "Emergency", the band have come a long way earning fans out of their own right, playing to sold out audiences accross the globe and dominating the myspace music scene. But what exactly have they got on offer for us this time?

The highly anticipated release of "ignorance" as the first new track taken from "Brand New Eyes" got our heart rates pulsing with its energy packed chorous and offering incredibly catchy lyrics galore. As a running competetor to "Misery Buisness" however, this song doesnt quite match up in terms of quality, failing to meet the high standards set by the band in their previous album. The song lacks the mainstream feel-good vibe that made misery buisness a success.

The real highlight of the album lies with the opening track "Careful". The next fan favourite perhaps? I certainly believe so. This song was born for the live gigs, showcasing the talent of Paramore. Packed full of heavy basslines, and matching the sassy attitude that made us all fall head over heels for "Riot!". Powerpop at it's glorified best.

It's the next track, "Playing God" that first hints at the new, more melodic side to the band. Soft verses point to a more pop fueled record, leaving the rock element far behind. Despite this, williams sings with soul and leaves us convinced. Unfortunatly, it's nothing we havn't seen before with an unnerving resemblance to previous single "when it rains".

Next comes "Brick by brick boring" and it's a much welcomed return to the upbeat paramore that we all know and love. Albeit slightly repetititve, it's definatly one to get you singing along. Enfused with live qualities such as it's unforgetable "ba da da da's" to punchy one liners and a beat you can't help but hum to makes this song a tough one to follow.

Greeted by heavy, soulful drum beats, we prepare ourselves for a real Rock 'n' Roll anthem with "turn it off". Instead we get a mis-match of ballad type verses and belting chorouses. The vocals on this one are big to say the least and Hayley sings with gusto, proving she can hit the difficult notes. The twenty-year old red head isn't just a pretty face afterall. A good song, but nothing extraordinary. Sorry to dissapoint.

Paramore fans might be a bit taken a back by the melodramatic "the only exception". It's quite possibly as far from the band's usual works as possible. Although it run's the risk of sounding like a dreary Snow Patrol song, they make it work. It really showcases Hayley's vocal skills, sung with pure heartfelt emotion and proves that the band are more than you're average pop band capable of much more than they are given credit for.

The following song, "Looking up" revisits the energy, the mosh pit stimulting riffs and the much loved "woah oh oh oh's" that "riot!" boasts. Paramore at their best! Right from the beginning, the song sends you straight into a whirlwind of guitar fueled bliss and we just can't get enough.

"Feeling sorry" simply screams teenage angst, highlighting lyrics such as "i feel no sympathy". This is paramore showing their rebellious side, from the in your face lyrics to the whole punk vibe surounding the song. Catcy guitar riffs and short, punchy lines emering from out of nowhere leave us hooked.

"Where the lines overlap" is a fun, sing-along track that beckons you to get up and dance. "I've got a feeling if I sing this loud enough, you'll sing it back to me" calls for a responce from a live crowd. Definatly one to play in front of an audience, written to be a crowd pleaser, this song combines clever lyrics, powerful gang vocals and an edgy attitude that we can't help but love.

We go from this medly of drums, bass guitar and powerful vocals to something very different. Paramore as never seen before. A simple, slow acoustic number that really is something special for paramore fans alike. You can't help but to listen to the beautful music and the cleverly devised lyrics that really does leave you in awe. Like a lullaby, the song is incredibly gentle but theres something quite twilight-esque about this one. An eery theme and a reference to ghosts is somewhat unnerving. The song is also very short and leaves you begging for more.

And we certainly get more with the final song "All i wanted". Looks like paramore have let loose on their sensitive side with all these melodramatic sad songs but a belting chorous comes to the rescue just before we nod off with boredom. Crashing guitar riffs spring out of nowhere accompanied by huge ballad style vocals that in turn provide a slightly Evanesence feel to the song . A pleasent suprise.

All in all, i found the album very enjoyable and the new direction has worked, undoubtably winning over more fans than before. However, it doesnt quite compare to the vibrancy of "Riot!" or the fresh powerpop melodies of "All we know is falling". XO

YouMeAtSix@ManchesterRoadhouse

You me at six are a household name nowadays so it was a suprise when they announced a small scale tour in which they would be playing some of the UK's smaller, more intimate venues. And of course, we all welcomed this news with open arms. Maybe the fame hasn't gone to their heads afterall.

Naturally, the crowd welcomed the Surrey based band with applause and screams, not to mention some tears from obsessive female fans who had queued for hours to get the perfect view of Max. I wouldn't of expected any less from a band who have exploded into the limelight in such a short space of time. Just two years previous, you me at six played in Manchester pub, Jabez Clegg and not because they wanted to play a more personal gig, but beacause they simply wouldn't have sold out anywhere else. It's incredible to think just how far they have come and tonight was an example of this. Tickets for the Roadhouse had sold out in just three minutes. Not suprising either. So what exactly is it about them that make people love them so much?

Their opening song "kiss and tell" tells us all we need to know. After squeezing themselves onto the miniscule stage the band waste no time and plough immediatly into the setlist. A definate good choice to open with as the the entire crowd sings along with immense gusto and excitement to the familiar lyrics. As their latest single, the song has not only been a hit on itunes but live aswell it seems and was obviously born to be a crowd pleaser. Three hundred dedicated fans watch in awe, some dancing others singing but not one person was stood motionless. As my tenth time seeing the band live, they played like never before, possibly further motivated by the legion of dedicated fans stood before them.

Abandoning old favourites from the setlist such as "this turbulence is beautiful", is a dissapointment to some but the boys make up for it with fan favourites "save it for the bedroom" and "gossip" just to name a couple. With the sheer volume of the crowd, it is a wonder that vocalist, Josh Francheshi, can still be heard. But still he sings his heart out and is evidently passionate about his music. The performance is only half way in and already you can see than you me at six are one of the most sincere bands in the alternative music circle. Interacting with fans, inviting them on stage and urging all to get involved in the show, it's had not to feel as though you have a connection with them. On stage, their real selves come to life and there is no fake rock star personna; just five very talented teenagers.

With such a small venue it is near impossible to ignore the energy and movement circulating the room. Despite the sweltering heat, the mood is not dampend. The crowd are insane, jumping, crowd-surfing and stage diving as "take off your colours" pulses throughout the venue. It cannot be denied that he energy tonight is electric which is just one advantage of the size of the venue. The connection between the band and audience is delightfully unnerving and the intimate space means that this is vibrant atmosphere is not easily lost during the show.

It is not until a breathtaking and heart-felt performance of "always attract" that the crowd finally come to a standstill. A sea of faces staring in awe and respect as the slow number starts to pick up it's pace. The whole crowd sings in perfect harmony with Franchshi which really was the highlight of the evening. It made a nice change to come back to the familar lyrics of you me at six after witnessing their reindition of Lady GaGa's "poker face". Not one of the bands smartest moves to say the least.

You me at six have finally made it to the top it cannot be denied. They have broken away from the myspace scene that launched them into the world of fame and now have genuine and dedicated fans. However, some new songs or the rebirth of some classics such as "promise promise" would really be the iceing on the cake. The re-release of "Take off your colours" is set to be huge globally. Is world domination on the agenda for You Me at Six? XO

Lostprophets@ManchesterAcademy

Despite their absence to the stage, Welsh six-piece Lostprophets didn't fail to wow there fans with yet another bold and energetic live performance. With a dynamic entrance aided by the use of strobe lighting and special effects, let's say the opening to the show was as far from what you'd expect, especially as bands playing the academy (a relatively small venue) usually keep their gigs simple. A warm welcome awaited them and fans screamed and girls swooned at the first sign of life on stage. This gig could be considered a landmark for the band as not only was it a long awaited comeback show, it was the first time that Lostprophets had been accompanied on stage by new drummer, Luke Johnson. The crowd, chanting his name, welcomed him whole-heartedly.

The choice for the opening song, the song that must immediatly excite and enthuse the audience, was somewhat risky. The band played a new track fom their highly anticipated latest album, "the Betrayed", due to be released this autumn. Despite the fact that only the true diehards were singing along word for word to this unfamiliar melody, catchy lyrics and punchy riffs really got the crowd going. Success.

However, it wasn't really until the easily recognisable bassline for fan favourite "town called hypocrisy" radiated through the venue that the crowd really peaked in terms of enthusiasm. The atmosphere at this point was overwhelming and it would be no exaggeration to say the whole place was moving. It would seem that Lostprophets were doing something right or perhaps their fans had missed their presence on the stage so much, they felt they should make up for it by making more noise and singing louder than they ever had before.

Vocalist and rock pin-up, Ian Watkins, really knows how to take control of the stage and make sure that all eyes are on him. And they certainly were tonight. There was an attractiveness surrounding his confidence under the limelight as he casually hurled his white taped microphone into the air before catching it effortlessly. Unfortunatly, this has been seen too many times before. So maybe it wouldn't be too much to ask of Watkins to pull a new trick out of his sleeve before playing Leeds and Reading festival sceduled to take place the following weekend.

Admittedly, the set was long especially for a band who hadvn't played live in just over a year. So it was understandable that by half way in, they starting to look a bit worse for wear. It was obvious that the time they had spent couped up in the studio recording and producing their new album had really taken it out of them. Breaks were regular inbetween songs where the band members would stop for water, Watkins the worse even having to sit down to regain his breath. Maybe if he didn't prance about on stage showing off his admitedly much improved physique and perfectally styled hair, he wouldnt have felt so tired out.

Despite this, the band pulled through. Winning the hearts of us all with songs such as "Shinobi Vs Dragon ninja", "burn burn" and the Lostprophets "national anthem" "last train home". It was endearing to hear the whole room screaming the words with such passion and genuine excitement. The entertainment didn't stop at the songs however. The band joked around talking to the crowd as if they were close friends. The subject quickly turned to Leeds festival, something Lostprophets were clearly looking forward to. It was anybody's guess that Lostprophets were not fans of musically acclaimed band "Radiohead" who are also sharing the mainstage this year. In a suprsingly shocking statement, Watkins exclaimed, "Raiohead can suck my cock" recieving applause and laughter from the audience.

All in all, the night was enjoyable. The setlist boasted popular songs that all sang along to, everyone from the diehards in their faded "start something" tshirts to those who'd been reluctantly dragged to the gig by their other half. The new songs were recieved well and the new album looks set to takeover the alternative music scene. Who knows, maybe this could bring the band into the mainsteam? Check back for a full album review at the time of release. XO