1.Fast In My Car
7/10
Fairly decent. It sounds like they're channelling the Yeah Yeah Yeahs a little with the chanting on the bridge. Also, Hayley yelping and "huh-huh"ing at the end was very reminiscent of Karen O. The chorus is pretty awful though:
"We're driving fast in my car,
We've got our riot gear on, but we just want to have fun,
No were not looking for violence, oh oh,
Tonight we want to have fun,"
I just find any lyrics about just wanting to have fun sounds really trite. The phrasing is awkward too. But on balance, one of the better tracks.
2.Now
9/10
One of my favourite tracks on the album. I love the squealing riffs and chugging bass lines. The drum fills at the start of the chorus are epic too. It also has some of the strongest lyrics on the album, and the bridge before the last chorus represents everything I love about Hayley's voice. Great track.
3.Grow Up
5/10
Really not feeling this one, again the chorus is pretty lame. It sounds like Hayley thumbing her nose at Josh ONCE AGAIN! Get over it man, it's really getting old. I just find the music to be a bit dull too.
One of the weakest tracks IMO.
4.Daydreaming
7/10
In the scheme of things, I find this to be one of the better tracks. Big epic chorus, joyous and life affirming. It sounds like good old earnest, cheesy, emo Paramore. Again, Hayley's voice excels on this one.
I like it.
5.Movin' On
7/10
I like it, as simple as it is. Sounds like a lot of advert music nowadays, with the ukulele strumming away, but her voice carries it. I little insubstantial, but I nice little ditty.
6.Ain't It Fun
8/10
Sounds like an 80's pop record, in a good way. It has a nice, bouncy rhythm, and an infectious, upbeat melody. I love her inflection on the "what are you gonna do" line. The way she says "do" gets me every time! And the gospel chior at the end was a nice surprise, kind of reminded me of 90's Madonna.
Nice record.
7.Part II
9/10
The most Paramore sounding track on the album, no surprise, being part 2 of LTFB. A lot more restrained than part 1, but keeps the over the top flavour, and big soaring chorus. I like the production too.
One of my favourites.
8.Last Hope
8/10
A nice big soppy ballad. Probably displays some of the strongest songwriting on the record too. The last chorus with the backing vocals is so emo, I love it. Again, epic stuff, typically Paramore.
9.Still Into You
9/10
OK, I'm totally sold on this track now. Yeah, it's probably the poppiest, cheesiest track they've ever put out, but damn if it isn't satisfying! Utterly infectious, and has really nice dynamics. I love the line about meeting his mother, then telling him she loves him on the way home. Lucky bastard!
10.Anklebiters
8/10
A few seconds in, I nearly exploded with excitement. It sounded like it was going to be a really rough and ready punk record. Then it calms into a fairly light punk record. It's pretty decent though, could fit on All We Know quite easily.
11.Holiday
5/10
Meh, just seems superfluous. Pretty bland. I can't really say much else about it. They should've just chose the best "pretty little ukulele ditty" instead of cramming three in there.
12.Proof
7/10
Better than Grow Up, and in a similar vain, but still a little lacklustre. The punky tracks aren't anywhere near as successful as they were on the previous albums. At least the riffs are quite chunky, but it's another weak track lyrically.
13.Hate To See Your Heart Break
6/10
A fairly pleasant country record, but nothing remotely spectacular. Again, another result of "her who sings" being all loved up. The angst and snarl has given way to schmaltz. Not a bad thing, and it's a perfectly good record. It's just not what I came to see.
14.(Not One Of Those) Crazy Girls
7/10
Another schmaltzy ballad, but exhibiting more interesting songwriting, and a nice string section. I quite like it, but for some reason, I can't believe I'm going to say this, I find her voice a little irritating on this one. All the pitch bends and stuff just seem like showboating. I suppose she has the chops to get away with it.
15.I'm Not Angry Anymore
8/10
Probably my favourite of the ukulele tracks, but I still think they should've just left it at one. But yeah, pretty track.
16.Be Alone
9/10
Possibly my favourite track on the album. I really like the pounding drums, and echoing guitar riffs. A really nice big chorus too. Again, it's one of the tracks that sounds most like there old stuff. Great record.
17.Future
4/10
Meh, just seems pointless. It's not even particularly bad, just utterly superfluous. It's the first time I've looked at my watch during a Paramore track, waiting for it to end.
Probably the worst track on the album.
My Verdict
It's definitely their most eclectic record to date, but that's also why it's their least successful. It's not pop punk anymore, it's just pop. Which is fine, but I can't see this record getting a great deal of play from me.
I appreciate that they changed direction, and it's a sound pop record. I'm just not all that into pop. Hayley's lyrics seem to have lost their edge too.
Stand out tracks
Now
Still Into You
Ain't It Fun
Be Alone
Skip It
Grow Up
Holiday
Hate To See Your Heart Break
Future
