When I was asked to find a single song to review, I had no idea what to do. In most cases an album would be so much easier to review. Less attention to detail, and you don’t even have to mention every song! Having this mentality, I started browsing through my recently purchased songs on iTunes. Less than a minute in, I found the perfect song to review: “Monster,” by Paramore.
“Monster” is the first song Paramore has released without former members Josh and Zac Farro. Now left with only three concrete members, everyone wasn’t sure what to expect. Their guitarist, Taylor York, took over both rhythm and lead guitars for the song, while Jeremy Davis played bass, and Hayley Williams lended her vocal talent and lyrics to the track. Here are my thoughts.
First off, it’s different. From the very beginning when the two guitars start, you can see they have changed. As you listen you hear Hayley and Jeremy come in. Hayley sings angry lyrics clearly pointed at the Farro brothers while Jeremy plays a bass line that not only compliments the rest of the song, but also moves it along nicely.
Then the chorus. Hayley delivers a catchy hook, but something else is different. Her voice. After losing her voice at the beginning of the Brand New Eyes tour, Hayley’s voice has changed. It is less powerful, and she no longer has the same range. She recovers from this unfortunate problem nicely though, by using her new voice cracks and squeaks as part of the vocal melody, emphasizing what she says, and still torturing all of the 13 year old girls who try and sing along in key.
The strongest moment of the song I think, is the pre-chorus (if you can even call it that). It is simply a call and response with the rhythm and lead guitars. The first time it is played, it is simply instrumental. The second time however, Hayley sings the strongest line during the entire song, “They’re calling!” Upon first listening to it, it pulled me right into the song, and I was blown away. The sheer power and aggression in that one line is what has made me love this song so much.
After the usual cycle of verses and choruses we get to the solo, which was slightly disappointing. Not that it was bad, it just didn’t live up to what the rest of the track had previously laid out.
During the final chorus Hayley begins altering the vocal melody slightly and belting (not so slightly). While this is to be expected in some Paramore songs, I’m glad it is still a tool that can be used effectively to pull the listener in, despite the unfortunate situation regarding Hayley’s voice.
All in all I give it an 4.5/5. While overall this track was better than I expected it to be, most of the melodies seemed basic and the solo wasn’t as good as it could have been. However, the music in general was phenomenal, and I eagerly wait Paramore’s new album.
“Call me a traitor, I’m just collecting your victims
And they’re getting stronger, I hear them calling
They’re calling!”
Rating:
