Riot!

 Review

Common Sense Media says

MTV darlings are clean punk-pop with an edge.
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 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."

  • 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").
  • Not applicable.
  • 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."

What's the story?

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?

 

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.


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What families can talk about

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?


This review was written by Jessica Dawson
Teen, 17 years old
April 7, 2010
 
Perfect for older tweens and all teenagers
‘Riot!’ by Paramore is a very good album. All of the songs are of very well written and enjoyable to listen to. I think that ‘For A Pessimist I’m Pretty Optimistic’ (for it’s beat), ‘When It Rains’ (for it’s emotion), ‘Crushcrushcrush’ (for it’s beat and lyrics), ‘We Are Broken’ (for it’s emotion) and Fences (for it’s beat) are the best. Also, three out of the five band-members are Christians, making them good role models for listeners. However, I have a few concerns. In the song, ‘Misery Business’, the word “G-d” is used (But G-d it feels so good / ‘cause I got him where I want him right now). This may agitate listeners who happen to be Christians. Seven out of the eleven songs in the album are about relationships. This is not a problem for older tween or teenaged listeners, but not that appropriate for younger listeners. The only other issue is the feeling of the songs. Though they are not incredibly depressing are not exactly uplifting (‘When It Rains’ is about lead singer Hayley Williams’s friend who committed suicide). This, however, is a personally issue that may not be observed by other listeners. Overall, ‘Riot!’ is a good Alternative Rock album, appropriate for listeners aged 12 +. - Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.

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Teen, 15 years old
July 4, 2010
 
Paramore's 2nd Album after "All We Know is Falling", The Best!!! <3
Paramore is my all time favorite band, I'm 13, and I just started listening to Paramore about a year ago... they're amazing. I have a problem with the fact that this site is highlighting the fact that Hayley William's hair is dyed. And it's not pink, it's orange. Are people really that conservative that they would have a problem with that? Hayley Williams is gorgeous and my role model... also this album is great. This site doesn't have a review for Paramore's first album, "All We Know is Falling", also such an amazing set of songs. I'm going to a Paramore concert this summer and they're said to be amazing live! They're all super talented musicians, Josh Farro- lead guitar, Zac Farro- percussion, Jeremy Davis- bass, Hayley Williams- lead vocals. Paramore got together as an actual band in their high school years... one of the reasons why people love them so much is because of all the emotion they put into their music. Personal stories, etc. and Hayley and Josh actually did have a story that lasted around 3 years but they split for the band... didn't want to cause drama. I love Paramore. <3. 'Nuff said.

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Teen, 17 years old
March 21, 2010
 
Ok. First of all, who cares if Haylee has pink/orange hair? Arn't we trying to teach kids these days not to be judge mental? People are all flipped out over their pircings too... What's the big deal?!? Their songs are fine for tweens, teens, and adults. And they are SO talented! So buy their cds, and don't flip out cuz' they don't look all preppy and rich.

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Teen, 15 years old
August 3, 2010
 
Great CD for anyone
I'm a huge Paramore fan, and I really recommend this to any rock fans who don't own it. It's a great CD with impressive lyrics, and I think keeping it away from your teens is a mistake. The nice thing about Paramore, is they have REAL punk-rock music, but keep their lyrics surprisingly clean. I saw them in concert, and have to say they are such an AMAZING band.

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Teen, 15 years old
November 17, 2009
 
Purfect for kids 10 and up!!
own it its the most awesome cd ever and so is brand new eyes!!

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Teen, 16 years old
September 13, 2009
 
Perfect band, perfect songs!
Paramore's album Riot! is inspiring, as I'm sure their new album Brand New Eyes will be. There is only one instance of bad language in the song "Misery Business", but other than that it is appropriate. I think that kids 12 and up will really understand the music and the message it gives. Behind the words always lies a greater meaning that they leave you to interpret. From their slower songs, When it Rains and We are Broken, to their upbeat songs such as Miracle and Fences, each song has a unique sound and meaning, all written by Paramore. And a big plus for me, is that the band is Christian. I would recommend this band to anyone who likes alternative, pop-punk, or rock. Paramore is sure to win you over with Hayley William's killer voice and their amazing lyrics.

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Teen, 17 years old
February 1, 2010
 
I love there music

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Teen, 16 years old
September 12, 2011
 
This shouldn't leave parents of teens causing a RIOT!
This CD is a little bit edgier than their 2009 CD "brand new eyes", probably just because of the song "Misery Business". It's not explicit, but definitely some innuendo, but if kids can understand it, they can probably handle it. This song also uses a not very nice word for promiscuous women, and even though band members are known as Christian (the band doesn't really prefer being called a "Christian band") they use the line "but God, it just feels so good" in the chorus. If you skip that song, younger tweens could probably even listen to the album because it has only vague references to liking someone, ("give me something to sing about" from "crushcrushcrush") no other harsh language, and actually some great messages about standing up for yourself ("I'm not so naive/my sorry eyes can see/the way you fight shy/of almost everything" from "For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic"). If you let younger kids listen to this one, skip track four, and you should be fine.

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Adult
August 18, 2010
 
Paramore isn't the best for little kids.
Paramore isn't the sort of thing very young kids should listen to. One. They will not understand any of what the singer says, There is not much here that isn't for the mature audience and using adult terminology. I'm not saying the lyrics are dirty or anything. its just hard to understand for kids younger than about 11 or 12.

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Teen, 16 years old
August 13, 2010
 
i think its fine for teens
LUV paramore they have realistic veiws

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This review was written by Jessica Dawson
Artist:Paramore
Release date:June 12, 2007
Label:Fueled by Ramen
Genre:Alternative Rock
Parental advisory:No

This review was written by Jessica Dawson
 

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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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