Paramore’s RIOT! is a pop-punk record built on hooks, attitude and a frontwoman who refuses to sit still. It is not subtle. It is not trying to be. And mostly, it does not need to be.
Opening With Pessimism
The album opens with “For a Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic,” a title that sums up the band’s entire approach. It is a song about seeing the worst in everything while refusing to let it win. The track sets the tone: loud, defiant, and more than a little funny.
“That’s What You Get” follows and earns its place as the record’s standout. It is the sound of a band fully in control of its own energy, the guitars cutting through the chorus like a knife. It is the best song here, pure and unapologetic.
“Hallelujah” slows things down, a quiet moment before the storm. It is pleasant but forgettable, a breather before the record gets back to business.
Misery Business Runs the Middle
“Misery Business” is the record’s thesis statement, a track about jealousy, betrayal and the sheer pleasure of wanting what someone else has. It is sharp, clever and completely uninterested in being nice about it.
“When It Rains” and “Let the Flames Begin” follow, both solid but slight. They are competent pop-punk tracks, but they do not add much beyond the formula.
“Miracle” and “crushcrushcrush” are where the record starts to lose focus. Neither is bad, but neither is memorable either. They pass without leaving much of an impression.
“We Are Broken” is a stronger closer, a track that leans on melody over noise. It is not the album’s high point, but it ends the middle stretch on a note of genuine feeling.
The Back Half Closes Strong
“Fences” is a return to form, a track about boundaries and the cost of letting people in. It is tighter and more focused than the songs around it.
“Born for This” closes the record on a note of defiance. It is the longest track here and the most ambitious, a song about destiny and the fight against it.
Ranking the Tracks
Here is how the record’s eleven tracks stack up:
- That’s What You Get
- Misery Business
- For a Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic
- Miracle / crushcrushcrush / We Are Broken (tied)
- Hallelujah / When It Rains / Let the Flames Begin (tied)
- Fences
- Born for This
Comparing the High Points
| Track | Strength |
|---|---|
| That’s What You Get | Best song, pure pop-punk energy |
| Misery Business | Sharp, clever, unapologetic |
| We Are Broken | Stronger closer, leans on melody |
The Verdict
RIOT! is a confident, well-made pop-punk record with a clear identity and a killer lead single. It is not perfect, and the middle stretch drags, but the highs are high enough to carry it. The album is a snapshot of a band at the peak of its powers, and the best moments here still hold up.
- For a Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic3:48
- That's What You Get3:40
- Hallelujah3:24
- Misery Business3:32
- When It Rains3:35
- Let the Flames Begin3:18
- Miracle3:30
- crushcrushcrush3:09
- We Are Broken3:38
- Fences3:19
- Born for This3:59
