Riot!

Riot! is the second studio album by American rock band Paramore. It was released in the United States on June 12, 2007 through Fueled by Ramen as a follow-up to their debut album, All We Know Is Falling (2005). The album was produced by David Bendeth and written by band members Hayley Williams and Josh Farro, with Bendeth, and fellow member Zac Farro co-writing on select tracks. The album is said to explore a "diverse range of styles," while not straying far from the "signature sound" of their debut album,[1] with several critics comparing it to likes of Kelly Clarkson and Avril Lavigne. The cover of the album also resembles the cover artwork of No Doubt's Rock Steady.

For other uses, see Riot (disambiguation).
Riot!
Studio album by
Paramore
ReleasedJune 12, 2007
RecordedJanuary–March 2007
StudioHouse of Loud, Elmwood Park, New Jersey
Genre
Length38:58
LabelFueled by Ramen
ProducerDavid Bendeth
Paramore chronology
The Summer Tic EP
(2006)		 Riot!
(2007)		 Live in the UK 2008
(2008)
Paramore studio album chronology
All We Know Is Falling
(2005)		 Riot!
(2007)		 Brand New Eyes
(2009)
Alternative cover
MVI+CD re-release
Singles from Riot!
  1. "Misery Business"
    Released: July 15, 2007
  2. "Hallelujah"
    Released: September 10, 2007
  3. "Crushcrushcrush"
    Released: November 26, 2007
  4. "That's What You Get"
    Released: March 24, 2008

Riot! received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its sound, and noted its "crossover potential". The album was successful in the United States, reaching number fifteen on the Billboard 200 and achieving double-platinum status on March 22, 2016 by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It was also certified platinum in the United Kingdom by the British Phonographic Industry, and gold in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. The lead single, "Misery Business", reached top-thirty and forty positions in the US and is considered the band's "breakthrough" hit; credited with introducing the band to a mainstream audience.[2][3][4] The third and fourth singles, "Crushcrushcrush", and "That's What You Get", were also successful with both achieving a platinum certification by the RIAA.

Recording

The album was produced and mixed by David Bendeth. Lead vocalist Hayley Williams, explained the album was titled Riot! because, "For us, the title ‘Riot!’ literally means an unbridled outburst of emotions. When we were writing, it seemed like our thoughts and emotions were coming out so fast that we couldn't control them. It felt like there was a riot within us. So the album takes our passion to a new level; it’s just all raw energy."[5] Williams also commented on the band's evolution with the album, stating "I think our intention for the first record would have been for it to be everything that Riot! is, but there wasn’t any time to make that record back then."[6]

During production, Paramore held an online contest, titled "The Last Song You'll Ever Sing", where fans submitted videos on YouTube for the opportunity to sing back-up vocals on the track "Born for This". The winner was Mary Bonney of McLean, Virginia.[7]

Music and style

The first track "For a Pessimist I'm Pretty Optimistic" comes from what lead guitarist Josh Farro reflects as "putting your faith in someone and they blow it." Farro composed the song and gave the demo to Williams. Farro stated "I wrote the music specifically to be awesome live and to be extremely energetic. It all came out at once. I showed it to Hayley and she just nailed it lyrically. She completely got the feeling I wanted the song to have."[5] The origins of "Misery Business" came from a message Williams posted on the band's LiveJournal, asking fans to post what they're ashamed of. "I found that people really were reaching out to someone to spill their guts to," she recalls, "so I did the same thing lyrically in the song and let everything out. It's more honest than anything I've ever written, and the guys matched that emotion musically."[5]

Discussing "Hallelujah", Williams recounts, "It's one of the oldest songs we've got, but we wanted to save it for this record, and it's the perfect home for it. It's a claim of victory for both ourselves and our fans."[5] The eleventh track "Born for This" contains the line "we want the airwaves back", from the song "Liberation Frequency" in the album The Shape of Punk to Come by the influential Swedish hardcore band Refused. Williams has explained that this song was written "about the fans" and "that the whole pre-chorus is actually inspired by that one line of the song."[8]

Ian Cohan of MTV Hive described the album as "classic alt-rock with a distinctly Fueled By Ramen edge."[9] Cam Lindsay at Exclaim! characterized it as "high-energy/high-emotion pop punk,"[10] while AllMusic's Jason Lymangrover states "[Williams] fills the majority of her punk-pop tales with emo angst and declarations of boy woes."[11] It is also declared as one of 2007's most popular emo pop albums by Andrew Leahey of AllMusic.[12] Johnathan Bradley at Stylus Magazine labeled it as "irrepressible power pop".[13] Alternative Press wrote "Paramore...have created 11 more-than-competent pop-rock numbers."[14]

Release

On March 13, 2007, it was announced that guitarist Hunter Lamb left the group to focus on family.[15] On April 13, "Misery Business" was made available for streaming.[16] A week later, the album's cover art and track listing was revealed.[17] In April and May, the band went on headlining tour of the U.S. They were supported by the Almost, This Providence, Love Arcade and Quietdrive.[18] Riot! was released through Fueled by Ramen on June 12,[17] following the debut of "Misery Business" on the radio. From late June to late August, the band went on the 2007 edition of Warped Tour.[19] In October and November, the group went on a co-headlining US tour with the Starting Line. Set Your Goals opened the first half of the tour, while the Almost opened the second half.[20] The album was re-released in late 2007 as a MVI CD/DVD, which includes the ability to remix Crushcrushcrush and Misery Business using the program U-MYX and includes music videos as well as live videos, lyrics and digital liner notes. The album has yielded four singles, with "Misery Business" being the first. The album's second single was "Hallelujah". The album's third single was "Crushcrushcrush", released on January 15, 2008 in the US and January 23 in the UK.

The album's fourth single, "That's What You Get", was released just over a week after Paramore cancelled their European tour to work on "personal issues",[21] amidst media speculation of the band breaking up. For the single's video shoot, Williams explained that, given the fragile state of the band, they all thought it best if they kept things low-key, surrounding themselves with their friends and family and keeping it simple. Williams added, "We had tons of friends there, and it really just felt like a hangout session. And Marcos [Siega, the director] was so cool about it. He said, 'Bring your friends.' We shot it in some of our friends' houses, and it just felt so real... and I think it's the first time in a video you're gonna get to see who we really are."[22] Williams had stated "We're hoping to do one more tour across the States before we really get started with all the (European summer) festivals. Of course, I want to do more Warped Tour dates, 'cause it's, like, my favorite tour ever. We'll see what works out and hopefully just have another great year."[23] In early April, the band appeared at the Bamboozle Left festival.[24] In April and May, the band went on a co-headlining US tour with Jimmy Eat World.[25] In July, the band performed on the 2008 edition of Warped Tour for a week.[26] In July and August, the band went on a US tour with Jack's Mannequin, Paper Route and Phantom Planet.[27]

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic67/100[28]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[11]
Alternative Press[29]
Blender[30]
Drowned in Sound4/10[31]
IGN7/10[32]
Jesus Freak Hideout[33]
NME5/10[34]
Spin[35]
Sputnikmusic3.5/5[36]
Stylus MagazineB+[37]

Riot! received generally positive reviews from music critics. According to Metacritic, the album holds a score of 67 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews" based on 8 reviews.[28] Jason Lymangrover of AllMusic stated "Filled with crossover potential, the songs are consistent and zippy with catchy hooks in the vein of Boys Like Girls fronted by a young Shirley Manson."[11] At Stylus Magazine, Jonathan Bradley opined that "Riot! is immediately appealing because it focuses on sounds that have been neglected by the genre's front-runners. This is an uncomplicated album of strikingly uncomplicated music, entirely lacking in 15 word song titles." Bradley also compared it to the "better songs" from Kelly Clarkson and Avril Lavigne.[37] Gareth Dobson at Drowned in Sound observed "At 38 minutes long, it's mercifully brief, but still manages to feel like a double album for those who endure it. That is, those who don't manage to forget that it's on the stereo at all. People, get your pop-punk thrills somewhere else. At least somewhere where there are actual thrills to be had."[31]

IGN's Ed Thompson stated "This is by no means a must have album and is not going to be remembered as the band's defining moment by any stretch of the imagination. But what Riot! will do is serve as a foundation from which the kids can continue to learn, grow and improve." Thompson also commented that it shows more maturity compared to similar bands.[32] Lewis P. at Sputnikmusic described it as the best pop punk album of 2007, commenting "Paramore might not be tapping into anything new, but it has finally hit its stride, making pop-punk anthems that match the praise."[36] Alternative Press writer Scott Heisel commented "considering the median age of the band, the musicianship shown on Riot! is mightily impressive...while the record as a whole may not be a home run, it’s solid stand-up double that keeps Fueled By Ramen’s inning alive for their next clean-up hitter."[29] Justin Mabee at Jesus Freak Hideout declared "While this new album may lack some of the spiritual depth that rocked their debut, the whole record retains a very positive feeling to it" Mabee commented that the band "has come a long way" with the album since they have formed.[33]

Accolades

The album was included in Rock Sound's 101 Modern Classics list at number 10.[38] The album was included at number 16 on Rock Sound's "The 51 Most Essential Pop Punk Albums of All Time" list.[39] Stylus Magazine listed it at number 49 in their top 50 albums of 2007.[40]

Commercial performance

Riot! entered the U.S. Billboard 200 albums chart at 20 in late 2007. Riot! sold 42,000 albums in the U.S. in its first week and three months later the album hit its peak at 15 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified double-Platinum on March 22, 2016.[41] The album achieved some success in the UK reaching #24 on the albums chart sales and selling 250,094 copies to date. In New Zealand, the album peaked at number 15, and was certified Gold on February 1, 2009, shipping over 15,000 copies.[42][43] "Misery Business" became a hit, spending 22 weeks at #3 on Alternative Songs chart.[44] The song has been certified triple-Platinum by the RIAA.[41]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Josh Farro and Hayley Williams, except where noted[45].

No.TitleLength
1."For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic"3:48
2."That's What You Get" (Hayley Williams, Josh Farro, Taylor York)3:40
3."Hallelujah"3:23
4."Misery Business"3:31
5."When It Rains" (Williams, J. Farro, Zac Farro)3:35
6."Let the Flames Begin"3:18
7."Miracle"3:29
8."Crushcrushcrush"3:09
9."We Are Broken" (Williams, David Bendeth, J. Farro)3:38
10."Fences" (Williams, Bendeth, J. Farro)3:18
11."Born for This"3:58
Total length:38:58
Special/Limited Edition MVI
No.TitleLength
12."When It Rains" (demo)3:24
13."Misery Business" (acoustic - live from Q101 Chicago)3:17
14."Pressure" (acoustic - live from Q101 Chicago)3:01
15."For a Pessimist I'm Pretty Optimistic" (live from London)3:59
16."Born for This" (live from London)4:20
iTunes/Amazon.com MP3 release
No.TitleLength
12."Misery Business" (acoustic)3:14
Fueled by Ramen webstore release[46]
No.TitleLength
12."Temporary" (demo)3:24
Hot Topic release
No.TitleLength
12."Decoy" (Williams, J. Farro, Leeland Dayton Mooring)3:17
FYE release
No.TitleLength
12."Here We Go Again" (live)3:23
Rhapsody release
No.TitleLength
12."Misery Business" (acoustic)3:16
13."My Hero" (Electronic mix) (Foo Fighters cover)3:32
Best Buy and iTunes UK release
No.TitleLength
12."Stop This Song (Lovesick Melody)" (Williams, J. Farro, Z. Farro, Justin York, T. York)3:23
13."Rewind" (demo)3:47
14."Emergency" (live)4:23
Japanese release
No.TitleLength
12."Stop This Song (Lovesick Melody)" (Williams, J. Farro, Z. Farro, Justin York, T. York)3:23
iTunes Deluxe Edition[47]
No.TitleLength
12."Misery Business" (acoustic version)3:14
13."Pressure" (live from Anaheim) (video)3:45
14."Misery Business" (live from London) (video)3:47

Personnel

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[64] Gold 35,000^
Canada (Music Canada)[65] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[66] Gold 7,500^
United Kingdom (BPI)[67] Platinum 429,000[68]
United States (RIAA)[69] 2× Platinum 2,000,000

^shipments figures based on certification alone
sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

Notes
  1. Jeremy Davis was fired from the band before the instrumental tracks were recorded. Brian Weaver recorded the bass tracks. Davis rejoined the band in time to record vocal tracks for three songs.

References

Citations

  1. "Paramore – Riot!". Archived from the original on November 3, 2007.
  2. Haruch, Steve. "Paramore broke the Nashville Curse and never looked back". Nashville Scene. SouthComm Communications. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  3. Maura. "Paramore Hold On To Their Smarts". Idolator. Spin Media. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  4. Cantor, Brian. "Chart Story: Paramore's "Ain't It Fun", MKTO's "Classic" Enter Top 50". Headline Planet. Cantortainment. Archived from the original on 11 December 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  5. "Paramore band info". paramore.net. Archived from the original on 2008-05-10.
  6. "Interview: Paramore". musicOMH. Archived from the original on July 10, 2015. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  7. "Sophomore rocker lands back-up gig". theflathatnews.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-04-20.
  8. Jamieson, Sarah (2007-09-02). "Organised-Sound interview with Paramore". www.organised-sound.com. Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England. Archived from the original on 2009-01-11. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  9. "Fueled By Ramen: Celebrating Today for 15 Years - MTV Hive". MTV Hive. Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  10. "Paramore". Archived from the original on February 11, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  11. Lymangrover, Jason. "Riot! – Paramore". AllMusic. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  12. "Attics to Eden - Madina Lake - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  13. "Paramore - Riot! - Review - Stylus Magazine". Archived from the original on July 24, 2009. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  14. Heisel, Scott (August 28, 2007). "Paramore - Riot". Alternative Press. Retrieved November 5, 2018.
  15. "Paramore part ways with guitarist". Alternative Press. March 13, 2007. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  16. "Paramore release first audio from Riot!". Alternative Press. April 13, 2007. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  17. "AP Exclusive: Tracklisting, cover for new Paramore LP revealed". Alternative Press. April 20, 2007. Archived from the original on August 26, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
  18. "Paramore announce spring dates". Alternative Press. March 1, 2007. Archived from the original on August 22, 2016. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  19. "Throwdown added to Warped 07; Madina Lake drop off". Alternative Press. April 26, 2007. Retrieved August 21, 2016.
  20. "Paramore/Starting Line co-headlining dates (finally) revealed". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. September 12, 2007. Archived from the original on March 19, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  21. "Paramore Cancel European Tour". mtv.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-07. Retrieved 2008-04-09.
  22. "Paramore Explain Why 'That's What You Get' Video Shoot Was Top Secret". mtv.com. Archived from the original on 2012-04-07. Retrieved 2008-04-09.
  23. "Paramore, Gym Class Heroes Lead Warped Lineup". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  24. "Blaqk Audio, Hot Water Music, H2O added to Bamboozle Left". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. February 15, 2008. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  25. "Jimmy Eat World/Paramore dates announced". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. February 15, 2008. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  26. "Venues for Warped Tour 2008 revealed". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. March 12, 2008. Archived from the original on July 28, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  27. "Paramore confirm summer tour with Jack's Mannequin". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. May 21, 2008. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  28. "Reviews for Riot! by Paramore". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  29. Heisel, Scott (2007-08-28). "Paramore – Riot!". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on 2010-11-04. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  30. "Paramore: Riot!". Blender (60): 116. July 2007.
  31. Dobson, Gareth (2007-06-28). "Album Review: Paramore – Riot!". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  32. Thompson, Ed (2007-07-20). "Paramore – Riot! Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 2016-01-19. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
  33. "Paramore, "Riot!" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. 2007-06-12. Archived from the original on 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  34. Elan, Priya (2007-06-25). "Paramore: RIOT!". NME. Archived from the original on 2013-03-21. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  35. Kelley, Trevor (July 2007). "Paramore: Riot!". Spin. 23 (7): 100. Archived from the original on 2014-06-18. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  36. P., Lewis (2007-06-12). "Review: Paramore – Riot!". Sputnikmusic. Archived from the original on 2014-10-24. Retrieved 2015-05-03.
  37. Bradley, Jonathan (2007-08-13). "Paramore – Riot! – Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on 2009-07-24. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
  38. "Rock Sound's 101 Modern Classics: The Final Instalment!". Rock Sound Magazine. July 11, 2012. Archived from the original on July 6, 2015. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  39. Bird, ed. 2014, p. 72
  40. "Top 50 Albums of 2007 - Pop Playground - Stylus Magazine". Archived from the original on March 25, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  41. "Paramore RIAA Certifications". Riaa.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2016-04-01.
  42. "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums - RadioScope New Zealand". Radioscope.net.nz. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  43. "RIANZ". RIANZ. Archived from the original on 2011-07-09. Retrieved 2010-12-04.
  44. "Paramore". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 3, 2015. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
  45. Riot! (CD). Paramore. Fueled by Ramen Records. 2009.CS1 maint: others (link)
  46. "Riot!". Fueled by Ramen webstore. Archived from the original on October 18, 2007. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  47. ["iTunes - Music - Riot! (Deluxe Version) -by Paramore]". iTunes. Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  48. "Australiancharts.com – Paramore – Riot!". Hung Medien.
  49. "Austriancharts.at – Paramore – Riot!" (in German). Hung Medien.
  50. "Paramore - Brand New Eyes (Album)". Ultrapop.be. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
  51. "Dutchcharts.nl – Paramore – Riot!" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  52. "Longplay-Chartverfolgung at Musicline" (in German). Musicline.de. Phononet GmbH.
  53. "Paramore: Riot!" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  54. "GFK Chart-Track Albums: Week {{{week}}}, {{{year}}}". Chart-Track. IRMA.
  55. "Mexicancharts.com – Paramore – Riot!". Hung Medien.
  56. "Charts.nz – Paramore – Riot!". Hung Medien.
  57. "Paramore | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart.
  58. UK Rock Chart BBC. Archived on 2009-02-11.
  59. "Paramore Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  60. "Paramore Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard.
  61. "Paramore Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard.
  62. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  63. "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  64. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2009 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  65. "Canadian album certifications – Paramore – Riot!". Music Canada.
  66. "New Zealand album certifications – Paramore – Riot!". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
  67. "British album certifications – Paramore – Riot!". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 5 October 2013. Select albums in the Format field. Select Platinum in the Certification field. Type Riot! in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
  68. White, Jack (11 May 2017). "Paramore's Official Top 10 biggest selling singles revealed". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 11 May 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2017.
  69. "American album certifications – Paramore – Riot!". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 1 April 2016. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH. 

Sources

  • Bird, Ryan, ed. (September 2014). "The 51 Most Essential Pop Punk Albums of All Time". Rock Sound. London: Freeway Press Inc. (191). ISSN 1465-0185.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.