Paramore- brand new eyes (**½)

Every once in while, there needs to be a band like Paramore.

This is because fans love female fronted pop-rock. Heavy on hooks and riot grrl chic, Paramore is the 2000s version of No Doubt, all the way down to the bright hair of their female lead singer. While the two bands might be on different ends of the musical spectrum, the one thing that’s certain is that audiences are always gung-ho about the image. It’s appealing to a broad variety of fans; girls think Gwen Stefani and Hayley Williams “get them” while boys just want to get on them. Additionally, both bands sported breakout albums that defined their scenes (Tragic Kingdom and Riot!), and both culled a massive fan base with extensive touring.

Eventually, however, the freshness of the image wears off and audiences must judge these bands based on their artistic merit. While the populist consensus is that No Doubt have cemented their legacy with Rock Steady, the same honor cannot be bestowed just yet for Paramore and their new album, brand new eyes.

Teaming up with veteran producer Rob Cavallo (Who helmed Green Day’s American Idiot), Paramore march through 12 slick songs that come off conservative from a band known for their energy.

While brand new eyes makes for easy listening, it’s frustrating to see Paramore go through sonic growing pains that are normally reserved for a sophomore slump. The quintet’s main problem is that they are too afraid to really take a leap artistically, so their sound resides uncomfortably in the middle of giving fans what they expect, and pushing their sound just far enough to make sure people know this isn’t Riot!: Part Deux.

However, things begin promising as the band is off and running with “Careful,” a track that explodes with Zack Farro’s scattershot drumming, Taylor York’s chunky rhythms, Josh Farro’s thick lead work, and Williams’ commanding voice. The song finds Paramore doing what they do best, combining head bobbing rhythms with stop-on-dime precision and crashing riffs. Jeremy Davis does a great job of holding the arrangement down with his driving bass as the song breaks allow Farro the ability showcase his rich-delay enhanced guitar.

Yet for every breath of fresh air like “Careful,” there are the songs on brand new eyes that really lack staying power and bog down the album’s middle. “Feeling Sorry’s” thumping rhythm goes nowhere fast, with a tired chorus that feels a little phoned in. “Looking Up” follows suit, implementing the same stuttering riffs that bands like Lit and Sum 41 played out to perfection years ago. Lead single “Ignorance” brings some interesting glam grooves and riffs to the table, but the chorus structure will feel like the lost verse of “Misery Business” for most die-hards. In short, Paramore know what they do very well, and it acts like a crutch sometimes.

The other problem with brand new eyes is that most of these tracks are stuck in mid-tempo, never really choosing to fully embrace the potential for speedy melodies or acoustic leanings.

When Paramore does picks a side, the results are the most engaging on the album. “Misguided Ghosts” is a tender and folky acoustic ballad that displays Williams’ voice as bare and vulnerable. York and Farro’s guitar work sparkles in the space, and the sparse arrangement puts the focus back on song craft rather than predictable build-ups. “Playing God” displays an interesting synthesis of the two sides, but would have benefited from a bigger build up during the bridge. Against riffs that ebb and flow along Williams’ rising and falling backing vocals, Paramore illustrate they have the chops to explore new sonic territory, but seem too afraid to embrace it fully.

Still, the brightest part of the album is Williams. Her vocal command is extraordinary, adding spunky perspective and just the right amount of heartache to be taken somewhat seriously. On the expansive album closer “All I Wanted,” Williams shows her impressive register with the ascending repetition of, “All I wanted was YOOOOOOOOOU!” The band supports her well over thunderous drums and massive power-pop influenced riffs. Overall, the track reminds fans that Paramore were a once band with a huge sound, a band that seems to have shrunk it down for brand new eyes.

Sadly, Paramore play things close to the vest on brand new eyes, and the result will appease their shallow fan base while leaving listeners that are interested in progression, a bit letdown. What made Riot! exciting was the band’s willingness to flirt with new wave, vocal lines that felt spontaneous and guitar lines that went from tiny to huge at the drop of the hat. Those elements feel anemic on brand new eyes. While the band channel them on cuts like “Turn It Off” and “Brick By Boring Brick” it’s with half the enthusiasm, half the fun.

Ultimately, Paramore need to decide if they want to appeal to teeny-boppers or open themselves up to real growth. No Doubt was able to balance both, pushing a more electronic flavor forward with Rock Steady while keeping the hooky elements for their fans. Paramore need to find an avenue to explore and stick to it, instead of squandering their potential, leaving the sonically curious wanted more.

Key Cuts: Careful, Misguided Ghosts, All I Wanted

Sounds Like: From Under The Cork Tree (Fall Out Boy), Bleed American (Jimmy Eat World), Weezer (The Green Album) (Weezer)

Click on the artwork to sample some of brand new eyes for yourself!