Paramore - "All We Know Is Falling"

Recently, I caught a television special on Paramore, the Tennessee punk rock band growing more and more popular with each album it releases. My copy of their very successful sophomore album Riot! is thoroughly worn out from repeated plays. Their first mainstream punk rock success was enough to award them a spot on the Twilight soundtrack (bonus track “Decode” on their international release ofBrand New Eyes, 2009). However, it was two music videos from their debut album – which I had yet to hear – that inspired me to grab a copy and find out if their earlier work was any good or, in retrospect, a speed bump on Paramore’s road to success. 

All We Know Is Falling was released in July 2005 from the label Fueled By Ramen. Prior the release of their second album, it sold only 50,000 copies. However, as of April 2009, it has sold over 405,000 copies. 

The album cover art – an empty red couch – pays homage to the former bass guitarist Jeremy Davis who left the band and later rejoined shortly after the album’s release. His leaving was the inspiration for the album title and first track “All We Know”. The impact of this experience really resonates from the powerful, rebellious lyrics. “Now we could follow you back home but we won’t” is the epitomic motto of angsty teenagers. By the time the album was released, singer/songwriter Hayley Williams was only 16 years old. 

The second and third tracks continue to perpetuate the emotions of cruel teenage life. The music video for “Pressure” captures the essence of what it’s like for teens dealing with the pressures of work, sexual identity, and growing up. The song’s driving vocals and catchy guitar riffs are certain to inspire a crowd of concert-goers to sing along. “Emergency” is a melodramatic song that, presumably, likens Davis’ leaving to a fatal medical emergency. Messages about crying, dying, and “[deserving] to be alive” are imagined in a complex music video of the band filming a music video. The musicians are costumed as either crash victims or zombies and drearily make their way on stage as if their former bandmate is the lifeblood missing from their group. The music alternates from guitar picking to strong power chords in a way that effectively replicates the anxious and tense mood of real emergencies.

However, the rest of the album fails to impress me. “Here We Go Again”, “Never Let This Go” lead with catchy rhythms and melodies but suddenly break to sluggish choruses that favor off-beats and time measure changes. The latter half of the album is riddled with poorly designed songs that have loads of potential – great guitar riffs, powerful drum and bass lines, and touching lyrics. For those screamo fans, the final track “My Heart” even features screaming vocals by guitarist Josh Farro.

Overall, I see Paramore’s All We Know Is Falling as a fairly typical debut album for a young punk rock band. Losing Jeremy Davis clearly had a significant emotional impact on the band’s music. There are a few excellent songs that speak well to the audience of teenage punk rock. But generally, the songwriting is overwhelmed by the not-so-subliminal messaging of the band’s melodrama.

Thankfully, the old band reunited and even added a few of the touring musicians as official members. And it shows. Riot! (also released from Fueled By Ramen) has ballads like “When It Rains” and “We Are Broken” that are more clearly defined and formulated. Likewise, Paramore continued to write driving songs that are so catchy that they can only be described as infectious. “Misery Business” is their smash hit single that is full of Williams’ emotional teen-girl angst, but is able to stand on its own as an empowering punk rock song. The song’s message is vengeful, being in “the business of misery”, which almost seems to pay homage to the entire debut album dedicated to the bandmember than ran out on them. But since his return, Paramore has finally gotten over their misery and back to the business of entertainment, which has made me one happy punk rocker.

Rating: 2 out of 5

Official music video "Pressure" by Paramore

Official music video "Emergency" by Paramore