Brand New Eyes

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Alt-punk rockers dish up hard-rock drama with tame lyrics.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Paramore's third album is a hard rockin', emotionally raw collection that doesn't have any references to smoking, drinking, sex or bad language. In fact, the lyrics are all surprisingly tame, considering the guitar riffs and rock beats are so hard driving.

  • Although there are some sorrow-filled lines like: "We're heading for a cliff, and in the free fall, I will realize, I'm better off when I hit the bottom," there are also some positive life lessons about demanding respect, sincerity, and living life to the fullest, such as in these lyrics: "Well, as for me, I got out and I'm on the road,
    the worst part is that this (this!), this could be you, you know it too, you can't run from your shame! You're not getting any younger, time,
    is passing by."  
  • A few iffy lines might be misinterpreted by younger audiences. "We used to stick together, we wrote our names in blood." "Could have given up so easily, I was a few cheap shots away from the end of me,
    taken for granted, almost everything that I would have died for, just yesterday,"
  • Only slight metaphorical references to violence, like: "Next time you point a finger,
    I might have to bend it back, or break it, break it off."
  • Although many of the songs focus on relationship issues, only a few include any references to lust or desire, using vague terms like "all I wanted was you" and mentioning spending the night together.

What's the story?

BRAND NEW EYES is the third album from punk/alternative rock group Paramore, following up on the success of their 2007 release Riot!. Fans will recognize similar pounding guitars combined with energetic vocals from lead singer Hayley Williams on this latest release. The subject matter covers a range of topics, from dealing with ex's to embracing reality over fantasy. The album will also go down in iTunes history as the first one available in the new iTunes LP format, which allows for additional interactivity, videos, and photos to be included within an album purchase.


Is it any good?

 

It's hard not to fall for Paramore's brand of fun-loving, emotion-filled punk pop. Using clever lyrics like "The truth never set me free, so I did it myself
" along with Hayley Williams's strong but measured vocals, Paramore creates a high-energy collection of songs that are light enough to bounce your head to, but deep enough to grab at your heart. The perfect mix of high energy rock balanced with sincere, but not obligatory ballads, signals a new level of maturity for the hipster group.


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about selecting appropriate music. Paramore seems like a hard rocking band that might not be appropriate for teens, however their music is relatively tame. Have you every been surprised by the inappropriate lyrics from some artists whose images looked kid-friendly? What are the best ways to find age-appropriate music?

  • What do you think about an all male band with a female lead singer? Do you think this combination generally attracts more attention than a completely boy band? Why aren't there any female bands with a male lead singer?

  • Some of the songs on this album cover heavy emotional issues. Does listening to this album make you want to talk about your feelings? Do you think it would make it easier to talk to your parents about your feelings if you were discussing a song's lyrics? Are there some lyrics that parents should address with teens?


This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
Teen, 15 years old
December 6, 2009
 
Read the whole thing if you want to know about this band, GREAT ALBUM!!!
This album represents change, and friendship. Ignorance, a hard punk rock song written mostly by Hayley Williams (shes in my pic!) is about how she felt judged by the others in the band. "We're the friends who stuck together, we wrote our names in blood." and "You're not a judge, but if you're gonna judge me, well sentence me to another life" and "I don't wanna hear your sad songs, I don't wanna feel your pain. When you swear it's all my fault cause you know we're not the same" and "Ignorance is your new best friend". It's a really good song. The album starts out with Careful, talking about (in my eyes) how to reach out to try to get what you need. "You can't be to careful anymore" the lyrics say. Next comes Ignorance. Then Playing God, about being judgmental when you shouldn't, and being your own God. "It HAS to be so lonely, to be the only one who's HOLY." Next is Brick by Boring Brick, which is a fantastic song (with a dark video, though). This talks about how you have to face your problems and not sugar-coat them and make up a wall of "fairytales". "If it's not real you can't hold it in your hand, you can't feel it with your heart. And I wont believe it but if it's true and you can see it with your eyes, oh even in the dark. That's where I want to be! Go get you're shovel, and we'll dig a deep hole! To bury the castle, BURY THE CASTLE!" A real song. Next is Turn it Off, a song about building yourself up, and then having to let go and fail. "And the worst part is, before it gets, any better we're, headed for a cliff. And in the free fall I, will realize, I'm better off when I hit the bottom." Then there is The Only Exception, about believing in love even when it feels there isn't any anymore. And then, a loud song, Feeling Sorry. I personally think this song is about Jeremy Davis (the only person in the band who's 24. "Your days are numbered at 24!") not pulling his weight in the band. Again, the band was fighting when these songs were written so Hayley is expressing how she felt. Looking Up is the first positive song on the album, where the fighting is starting to lessen. "Things are looking up, oh finally!" and "Honestly, can you believe we cross the world while it's asleep? I'll never trade it in cause I've always wanted this and it's not a dream anymore." and "I can't believe we almost hung it up! We're just getting started!" and one of my favorite lyrics is "God knows the world doesn't need another band, but what a waste it would have been!" This song almost made me cry it was so beautiful and upbeat when I saw Hayley sing it live. This song will make you love Paramore. Okay, almost done. Then there's Where the Lines Overlap, another upbeat one about how lucky Paramore feels to be doing what they're doing. "No one is is lucky as us!" Then Misguided Ghosts, a beautiful super-slow song about finding your place in this big world. And finally, to finish, All I Wanted. This song surprised me in the end, because it isn't specifically upbeat. Lyrics feature "All I wanted was you!" This is the one that was listed above for not being appropriate. I have no idea why. Nothing is that bad on this album representing the band's journey. So thanks to those who read this whole review, and I hope you go listen to some PARAMORE!!! I will love this band forever, and I hope you will too. Oh, and above I did not positive messages because she talks about judging etc. But good role models etc because she tells how to handle it. A GREAT BAND, A GREAT ALBUM!!!

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Teen, 16 years old
October 9, 2009
 
Ignorance is sorta the hardest song in the album like "We wrote our names in blood" and shows that the other members arn't listening to her and ignoring her.. But it's an amazing album! buy it now! paramore is suited for many 11+ plus it's very addicting..Ignorance is soo addicting!

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Kid, 12 years old
April 12, 2011
 
Everyone might not like the no-pop genre
Paramore is me and my friend Elise's FAVORITE band EVER! Hayley Williams Rocks!

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Adult
October 7, 2009
 
Perfect for anyone that likes hard pop/light rock
This album is simply amazing. Paramore is a fun, crazy-awesome band with hard-to-get-out-of-your-head songs.

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Parent of 6, 8, and 13 year old
April 27, 2011
 
No doubt, the best for all ages!
Paramore is the BEST band EVER!

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Teen, 16 years old
April 16, 2011
 
Awesome.
I LOVE THIS ALBUM! In my opinion, it's the best of Paramore's three. The music is so great, and it delivers positive messages like believing in love, not living in a fairy tale, never losing hope...I could go on and on. In addition, the band members are great role models.

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Teen, 18 years old
August 30, 2010
 
Awesome. Kids of all ages can listen to this.
I don't understand why all people can't listen to Paramore. I have been listening to them since 2005.

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Kid, 13 years old
August 13, 2010
 
Iffy
Paramore is amazing. They can give positive messages and not so positive messages as for dating then breaking up. It is very good for teenagers, some songs they can relate to.

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Teen, 16 years old
March 5, 2011
 
Paramore is the best
This is my favorite band. They are super talented. Definitly a good CD for tweens.

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Adult
October 26, 2010
 
Paramore delivers another good album
I have to say, this is probably the most child friendly thing Paramore have released. A few mature lyrics aren't really going to mess up kids. If you listen to Emo rock bands, that would screw them up. Even if I do listen to that. Most of "Brand New Eyes" is about relationships, obviously delivering a couple of mature lyrics. But a couple of mature lyrics isn't going to affect a big album. Good release and pretty much kid friendly. Except Ignorance, Its probably hard to understand.

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This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
Artist:Paramore
Release date:September 29, 2009
Label:Fueled by Ramen
Genre:Alternative Rock
Parental advisory:No

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 

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ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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