Nashville megastars Paramore have more than proved their worth on the world’s biggest stage. Since their inception, the act has created some of the catchiest pop-punk songs, crafted with attentiveness and flair. Their debut album, All We Know Is Falling, was a raw affair, but it showed what was to come. When their second record Riot! hit the shelves in 2007, it truly rallied a new flock of fans and pushed Paramore into the limelight.
Music journalist Ben Welch’s account of the band in his book Paramore: Grace The Biography gives fans an insight into the outfit’s workings, and how they became such a force to be reckoned with on the pop-punk circuit. It shows us how the band were forced to grow up fast due to immense pressure to succeed while under scrutiny from the media.
Welch documents the band’s rise so well that the reader will feel immersed in his insightful prose-like writing. His research should be commended as it all comes together seamlessly. From the first page, the writing hooks you into Paramore’s world, offering you an understanding of how the band ripped up the rule book and steered their music into the hearts of many.
Welch also tells us how Riot! made Paramore a household name and how it gave them a platform to express themselves. After Riot!, Paramore would go on to release Brand New Eyes which didn’t hit the same nerve as that record but which still helped the band reap rewards.
To be honest, this book could be considered a rags-to-riches story, but it’s one that charts the journey of a band that remains humble and ready to take on the world.
Paramore shook the world, and over time, their music grew up as they grew. Through Welsh’s sharp and focused writing, we get to read about their music and their story.
The book is recommended for the pop-punk fan who craves to know more about a band that bloomed so rapidly. It’s crazy to think that Paramore was still in their teens when their debut All We Know Is Falling was released. Such a mature album with so many well-rounded songs, it truly showed that age doesn’t matter!
You can check out more of our book reviews here!
-
Verdict - 8/10
8/10