Album Review

Paramore – Hallelujah

• 3rd Sep 2007

Pitched squarely in the sickly sweet spot between Avril Lavigne and Blink-182; Hallelujah is the new single from Tennessee four piece Paramore. Formulaic pop-punk is the order of the day here, and as you would expect, all the genre’s key ingredients are present and correct. Squeaky clean guitar lines and teen-angst lyrics combine with chorus that’s so catchy it’s bordering on the contagious; and it’s all wrapped up and delivered in a shiny, easily-digestible three minute package.

Admittedly, the performances can’t be faulted, with singer Hayley Williams’ vocal in particular showing impressive range for such a young performer; however, it’s the lack of anything approaching even a slight deviation from the safety of the formula that ultimately grates. Not one for the Slayer fans among you then, but if you like your pop-punk to have a distinct emphasis on the pop, and pay very little attention to the punk, this is certainly one for you.