PARAMORE - WILLIAMS; THE GREAT ORANGE HOPE

Paramore is an American rock band that formed in Fraklin, Tennessee in 2004 consisting of Hayley Williams (vocalist, keyboard), Josh Farro (lead guitar, back-up vocals), Taylor York (rhythm guitar), Jeremy Davis (bassist), and Zac Farro (drummer). The group released their debut album All We Know Is Falling in 2005, and their second album Riot! in 2007, which was certified platinum in the US and gold in the UK and Ireland. The majority of Paramore's recordings come from collaborations between lead vocalist Hayley Williams and lead guitarist Josh Ferro - Farro first writes music, afterwards taking it to Williams for melody and lyrics, and from that point the song worked up between two. Once the foundation is laid out, the remaining band members help to work on sound and arrangement. The duo's song-writing has had its critics, being called "contrastly cliched and weak at points", while others have said the songs are "ridiculously catchy" and "sing-a-long worthy". Joshua Martin had written after an interview with Williams, "The band isn't just a short pop-punk girl with red hair and a spunky attitude. Their music is like them, it's aged differently. It's sped up, and slowed down. It's emo without being whiney, or bratty. Almost a very literal anti-Avril Lavigne." Alternative Press magazine had commented that the band was "young sounding", while consistently being "honest". Paramore's that was "delivered particularly well" and the combination of the two had created a "refined rock infused pop/punk album". The band's second released, Riot! was said to explore a 'diverse range of styles', however, not straying far from "their signature sound".

Alternative Press and various other reviewers have noted that the band's stage performances have helped boost them to larger frame. Alternative Press states that Williams "has more charisma than singer twice her age, and her band aren't far behind in their chops, either". Singer-songwriter John Mayer had prised Williams' voice in a blog in October 2007, calling her "The great orange hope"; orange referred to her hair color. Due to the female fronted aspect of the band, Paramore has gained comparisons to Kelly Clarkson and the afore mentioned Avril Lavigne, to which one reviewers said was "sorely unfounded". Paramore has expressed appreciation for Blink-182, Jimmy Eat World, Chicago, Sunny Day Real Estate, Death Cab for Cutie, Fall Out Boy and failure; Williams citing her personal influences as Robert Smith of The Cure and Etta James. Williams explained that the band such as U2, "who are massive , and do whatever they want and they stand for something", Jimmy Eat World, "who I don't think ever disappoint their fans", and No Doubt, "have done amazing things", act as a pattern for the path in which Paramore would like to take their career.

Hear Paramore