Riot! - Paramore

MTV darlings are clean punk-pop with an edge.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Heard the music? Review it
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Music details
  • Artist(s): Paramore
  • Genre: Alternative Rock
  • Label: Fueled by Ramen
  • Parental Advisory: No
  • Edited Version: No
  • Release Date: 06/12/2007

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that although the lead singer of this on-heavy-MTV-rotation band has pink hair and the music sounds hard core, the album itself has mostly puppy-love lyrics. There's one mention of the word "whore" in the song "Misery Business."

Families can talk about what image they think Paramore is trying to give. Why does the young, female lead singer have pink hair? Is this appealing? Some say that this group is openly Christian in their beliefs. Is this reflected in their music? Does this make their music more or less appealing? Why or Why not?

Message

Social Behavior:

Talks about young love and jealousy. Some of the lyrics aren't what kids should be learning ("It was never my intention to brag/To steal it all away from you now/But god does it feel so good"), but others show personal strength ("I put my faith in you/and then you threw it away/I'm not so naive/my sorry eyes can see").

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Slight innuendo: "When I thought he was mine/she caught him with her mouth" and "she's got a body like an hourglass that's tickin' like a clock."

Language

None except for one instance: "Once a whore/you're nothing more."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Jessica Dawson

In this sophomore CD, Paramore has given its fans even more to shout about. RIOT! showcases the vocal talents of 18-year-old lead singer Hayley Williams at every turn, not to mention the consistent, rowdy guitar riffs that drive each song. The music is hard core, but it doesn't overshadow the sweet strength heard in its Avril Lavigne-like frontgirl. The lead single "Misery Business" talks about jealousy and young love. ("Let's take it from the top/she's got a body like an hourglass that's tickin' like a clock/...when I thought he was mine/she caught him by the mouth/...Once a whore you're nothing more"). There's an acoustic version of this song included on the album; a welcomed calm and quieter sound to the edginess of the rest of the tracks.

Is it any good?

3
At times the music is repetitive, but there are some catchy chord progressions and strong sounds that make us question, "How old are these kids?" They rock out to songs about love, lust, jealousy, fear, and self-consciousness; angst-ridden teenagers with microphones and a whole lotta talent.

Other choices

Boys Like Girls
' self-titled album
The Best Damn Thing
by Avril Lavigne
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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 16 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/13/08 by cookies22 Kid contributor, age 13

I BLAST THIER MUSIC IN THE CAR!!

I am a huge fan of paramore. I have been listening to them scince i was 10. I was a very mature 10 year old. The language is good. Just a bit of jealousy. It is a great band and i believe from interviews i have heard of the band member of being christian. I think this band is good for the little bit of punk in your life. PARAMORE IS NOT EMO!
4


Posted on 06/21/08 by missmurder19 Kid contributor, age 15

pretty good...

Personally I think this is a great band with a lot of potential. But the fact that some people make a big deal about the word "whore", and using God's name in vain is a little ridiculous. Haylie Williams uses both of those in just one song, and the rest are clean. For anybody who thinks this album is a bad example for yourself, your friends, or your kids, that's pretty ridiculous. Riot! sends out a positive message (if not a little on the love song side) that is supposed to steer kids in a good direction.
5


Posted on 06/10/08 by canadachick95 Kid contributor, age 13

I have loved this album 2 pieces

This album is very well done. I listen to it a lot and find the sound to be nice. It also helps that the only "bad" word they ever use is whore, so I can listen around my parents.
5


Posted on 05/24/08 by gamerweeman21 Kid contributor, age 12
5


Posted on 04/12/08 by wertyderty Kid contributor, age 12
5


Posted on 03/19/08 by AirborneB Kid contributor, age 14

amazing!

wow let's talk about awesome i mean i'm a christain and don't listen to many NON-Christain bands but when I heard this band u was blown away of how amazing they were....there no langauge except the singer says "whore" in one song but that about it ! so parents don't have to wurry about there kids listing to this
3

Posted on 03/17/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

good morals

first of all, haley williams doesnt have pink hair! its orangeishredish!!! jeeze, get it together! this band is a really good band that has good morals. lets take haley for an example. finally, a good role model for young girls! she doesnt go out and party, she isnt known to be "easy", and she doesnt care wut ppl think, she is who she is!
5

Posted on 03/10/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

A well-written CD by an amazing band.

Okay, let's get some things straight- 1) Hayley is 19. She does not, in fact, have pink hair. As someone earlier said, it was deep red before RIOT! came out. She dyed it orange/yellow. NOT pink. It never WAS pink. 2) Paramore said they did not WANT to say "whore" or use the term "God" in Misery Business, but they felt it was needed to get the emotion of the song across. I bought this CD on June 12th [The very first day it came out] and had it memorized by June 13th. This CD is VERY well-written and they took a lot of time Nothing at all about this band deserves to be criticized or even constructively criticized. Hayley, J-Dawg (jeremy.) Joshua Neil [<3] and Zac are all amazing performers, not to mention Taylor. I love Taylor. =]
4


Posted on 02/02/08 by camiluv17 Kid contributor, age 17
5


Posted on 01/21/08 by AustinA123 Kid contributor, age 15

Great second album from Paramore!

Paramore's second album, "Riot!" is a very good album. It has a positive message, and the band members are all Christians which is a plus for me. The only 'bad' thing on the CD is, "whore"

See all 16 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 1 reviews.

5


Posted on 12/12/07 by SilverDCTU Adult contributor

A Good Band No Matter What Age

While the music sounds 'hardcore' and yes, the singer does, in fact, have hot pink hair, the lyrics and music aren't angry at all. The worst lyrics I could find is a quick mention of the word 'whore' in their song "Misery Business" and one of the chorus lines of their song "Fences" that says 'it's obvious that you're dying, dying'. And while, in text, that chorus line sounds dark, in the context of the rest of the song it really isn't. Most of the lyrics talk about overcoming problems, friendship, and dealing with life. Everything from dealing with love loss to dealing with pressure of everyday life. Paramore is a great band with lyrics for everyone to enjoy and may actually be a bridge between you and your kids given the band's semi rock-n-roll style while still being something that the average 15/16 year old would enjoy.

Kids Reviews

There are 15 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/13/08 by cookies22 Kid contributor, age 13

I BLAST THIER MUSIC IN THE CAR!!

I am a huge fan of paramore. I have been listening to them scince i was 10. I was a very mature 10 year old. The language is good. Just a bit of jealousy. It is a great band and i believe from interviews i have heard of the band member of being christian. I think this band is good for the little bit of punk in your life. PARAMORE IS NOT EMO!
4


Posted on 06/21/08 by missmurder19 Kid contributor, age 15

pretty good...

Personally I think this is a great band with a lot of potential. But the fact that some people make a big deal about the word "whore", and using God's name in vain is a little ridiculous. Haylie Williams uses both of those in just one song, and the rest are clean. For anybody who thinks this album is a bad example for yourself, your friends, or your kids, that's pretty ridiculous. Riot! sends out a positive message (if not a little on the love song side) that is supposed to steer kids in a good direction.
5


Posted on 06/10/08 by canadachick95 Kid contributor, age 13

I have loved this album 2 pieces

This album is very well done. I listen to it a lot and find the sound to be nice. It also helps that the only "bad" word they ever use is whore, so I can listen around my parents.
5


Posted on 05/24/08 by gamerweeman21 Kid contributor, age 12
5


Posted on 04/12/08 by wertyderty Kid contributor, age 12
5


Posted on 03/19/08 by AirborneB Kid contributor, age 14

amazing!

wow let's talk about awesome i mean i'm a christain and don't listen to many NON-Christain bands but when I heard this band u was blown away of how amazing they were....there no langauge except the singer says "whore" in one song but that about it ! so parents don't have to wurry about there kids listing to this
3

Posted on 03/17/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

good morals

first of all, haley williams doesnt have pink hair! its orangeishredish!!! jeeze, get it together! this band is a really good band that has good morals. lets take haley for an example. finally, a good role model for young girls! she doesnt go out and party, she isnt known to be "easy", and she doesnt care wut ppl think, she is who she is!
5

Posted on 03/10/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 14

A well-written CD by an amazing band.

Okay, let's get some things straight- 1) Hayley is 19. She does not, in fact, have pink hair. As someone earlier said, it was deep red before RIOT! came out. She dyed it orange/yellow. NOT pink. It never WAS pink. 2) Paramore said they did not WANT to say "whore" or use the term "God" in Misery Business, but they felt it was needed to get the emotion of the song across. I bought this CD on June 12th [The very first day it came out] and had it memorized by June 13th. This CD is VERY well-written and they took a lot of time Nothing at all about this band deserves to be criticized or even constructively criticized. Hayley, J-Dawg (jeremy.) Joshua Neil [<3] and Zac are all amazing performers, not to mention Taylor. I love Taylor. =]
4


Posted on 02/02/08 by camiluv17 Kid contributor, age 17
5


Posted on 01/21/08 by AustinA123 Kid contributor, age 15

Great second album from Paramore!

Paramore's second album, "Riot!" is a very good album. It has a positive message, and the band members are all Christians which is a plus for me. The only 'bad' thing on the CD is, "whore"
See all 15 kids reviews >
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47 votes