This Is Why, by Paramore
Like many people, I have been familiar with Paramore since their second album, and enough of a fan of theirs that I have bought their cds and paid to see them perform live in concert. If the group has not been as prolific as I would prefer when it comes to releasing material, largely thanks to frequent personal drama within the lives of the band, as well as issues within the band itself, the music that they have released has generally been very enjoyable. If I have been less rapid to listen to this album than I have with some of their other material, it is largely because they have fallen a bit off the radar when it comes to releases. At this stage in their career, Paramore is not releasing crossover hits, but there is no reason to disregard their material because it comes with a lower profile. What should matter when listening to an album like this one is not whether the album will sell well or whether it will have hit singles, but whether it is any good. Is it? Let’s find out.
The album begins with its title track, and “This Is Why” is a lovely but also pointed song that calls on people to keep their bad opinions to themselves, rather against the spirit of the times to share one’s criticisms as widely as possible. “The News” offers some trenchant criticisms of infotainment that, if not particularly original, are certainly pretty valid. Here again we see another way that contemporary trends lead to the unwelcome fixation on of information sources on that which is distressing or bothersome. “Running Out Of Time” has a great bass grove and some reflective lyrics that show Williams reflecting on the gap between her good intentions and unpleasant reality. “C’est Comma Ça” has a somewhat repetitive chorus, but its lyrics reflect on the isolation and loneliness and anarchical tendencies that the narrator faces in her life as she reflects on reality. “Big Man, Little Dignity” is a surprisingly gentle sounding kiss off to a man that Williams is criticizing that is way better than its title would indicate. “You First” is another song that deals with Williams’ spiteful and somewhat vengeful nature and indicates self-awareness, if not necessarily having shown the work to overcome her own negative tendencies. “Figure 8” continues the theme of Hayley Williams reflecting on her struggles with dealing with other people and her tendency to get involved in repetitive bad situations and her inability to stop. “Liar” finds Williams in a reflective mood about her dishonesty with someone she loves, even if that person recognizes the truth all along, because she is embarrassed about the truth, and the song matches the tense and pensive mood of the lyrics. “Crave” finds Williams pondering her addictive nature and reflects on her overemotional nature and the negative repercussions of those tendencies and her acceptance that she wouldn’t want to be any other way. “Thick Skull” ends the album on a familiarly reflective note, with fuzzy guitars and lyrics that show the singer’s awareness of her lack of insight into her life and its patterns with regards to relationships.
It is not necessarily a surprise that this album has not spawned any hits. There are certainly a few songs that would be obvious singles in Alternative and AAA formats, but the album’s relentlessly critical mood might turn off some listeners. Given that the album mixes self-criticism with criticism of others and of aspects of our larger culture, it is clear that this album is meant as a way for Williams and her bandmates to deal with negativity in their lives, hopefully with the aim of growth and improvement, although there is a general tone here of being trapped in a negative situation without escape. This album is ten songs at a tight 36 minutes and the music here is consistently good. This is an album that may not attract the same attention as the band’s earlier material, but those who seek this album and are able to reflect on its material and engage in the sort of self-criticism that the album demonstrates may find it to be among their favorite albums of the year. Overall, this album continues the late-career renaissance that the band found with “After Laughter,” and if one hopes that the group will be able to find more positivity in their life, one can continue to expect the band to explore their feelings and thoughts with honesty in the future.
