Paramore - The Final Riot [live album]
 

We all know Hayley Williams can hold a note, there’s no denying that, but what can a Paramore live album offer us that we can’t get (better) from their recorded music? What could any pop-punk live album offer us without ultimately being a cheap imitation of their over produced recorded music? Clearly I was sceptical.

The main reason, if not sole reason, for me initially liking Paramore was that their songs were highly enjoyable to sing along to. I’d only ever really put their music on when I fancied a bit of exercising of the old vocal chords. It would be great fun; you could fool yourself into thinking you had a fantastic voice and had missed your calling in life, and if a Paramore song came on the radio or in the club, I honestly wouldn’t be able to stop myself from ‘singing’ along whole heartedly. They do know how to write good pop songs, and I fully give them credit where credit is due. But I wasn’t sure what the point of this album would be, other than to make some quick cash from their die hard fans who, lets face it, are the only ones that will probably be buying this (out in time for Christmas, folks!). I knew for a fact that my verdict would be I’d rather sing along to the original versions of these songs, rather than some live, patchy, out of breath version that missed lines out and so on. I doubt this album would have much use for me, or my singing. Well, it appears I was slightly closed minded and judgemental about what bands and genres of music were deemed worthy of bringing out a good live album, as this live album actually wasn’t that bad at all.

"The final riot!" is a 15 track live album and DVD of the last date of their "Riot!" tour, recorded and filmed in Chicago in August’08. Playing mainly songs from the "Riot!" album, there are also some classic oldies from their debut “All we know is falling” album, ultimately providing a good varied set list leaving me with no tracks I would have liked to skip past.

The first six songs on the album had led me to the conclusion that this was pretty much what I was expecting, it wasn’t that bad a version of their music, but it was a little of out breath on some parts with Hayley not singing properly, and she did miss quite few lines out to my annoyance. The first half of this album being full of relatively upbeat songs, I guess it would be expected that they sounded that way. There was a lot of crowd interaction, Hayley singing a line, then them, but really, it was just slightly better that what I had predicted.

However, when it gets to “When it rains” (track 7) and they start the first of their “slow jams”, I finally start to see the appeal of a Paramore live album. It’s easy to forget that as well as making perfect pop-punk they also make great slower paced bitter sweet pop ballads/power ballads, and Hayleys’ vocal strength really begins to shine through. It dawned on me singing along to them isn't at all the only reason I like this band. The remainder of this live album is surprisingly a joy to listen to, stand out tracks being “This Heart”, where this live reworked version is stunningly touching, "Emergency", which in my opinion is actually better than the original version, and “Hallelujah”, which they open with the currently controversial (stupid x factor) Leonard Cohen one as its’ introduction but which then transcends into their song of the same title. Admittedly, “Misery business” is probably the worst performed song of this album, a little bit too out of breath; however it was the last song of the set and a fairly upbeat one at that, so I can forgive it.

In retrospect, having listened to this live album a few more times, I even now enjoy the earlier half ("That's what you get" is still fun to sing along to) and have gotten past it not being an exact replica of their recorded music and accepted it as just a great energy filled selection of some of their best songs live.

The DVD of this show, which also has behind the scenes on the road footage of the band filmed by Brandon Chesbro, is an interesting watch and it’s clear to see why Hayley sounds so out of breath in some of the faster songs as she runs around on stage A LOT, and I’m astounded she sounds as well as she does! Again, die hard fans will probably watch it again and again, but once was enough for me; I’ll just stick with the live CD for now. Good work Paramore, can’t wait for the new album.