Papa Roach. The band that brought in one of the most beloved Nu Metal classics of all time, Infest. Who countered it with the less than average Lovehatetragedy. Coming back Full force with the alternative metal album, Getting Away With Murder. And Finally, releasing the fifth album, The Paramour Sessions. I’ll have to say this is the best Papa Roach album to date.
Papa Roach has always been important to me. They were one of the first bands I listened to (Last Resort). When I went through my mainstream rock phase, they were there on the radio (Scars) to be with me. Now that I’m back into metal and punk and its offshoots, The Paramour Sessions comes out. I have to say; I counted down to this album coming out. I listened to Infest and Getting Away with Murder continuously for a month, marking the dates of on my calendar. My friends grew sick of me constantly talking about how awesome this album was going to be and stopped talking about Papa Roach. Finally this came out. Now I’m going to try and write this review unbiased, and use my album rating system. But for truth's sake, this is a 5 for me
Good Stuff- The first single off the album, To Be Loved, brings back the rapping of Infest, if only in the Intro and Bridge. The song is nice and heavy (for Papa Roach) and should satisfy any fan. The second song, Alive (N’ Out Of Control) should have been a single. Its undeniable catchiness and hardcore feeling are a perfect combo. Jacoby is really shining on the vocals on this one, employing his full range and lackluster screams. The World Around You and Forever are both wonderful power ballads, the first being one of my favorites of all time. There’s no solo’s in either, but they make it work. What Do You Do? poises some good questions, and has a nice slow beat to it. No More Secrets has a nice classic rock feel to it, but seems a little like a copy of Alive. Album closer has the band employing an orchestra and singing a great song about, well, Death. It’s really powerful and made a girl I know cry while hearing it. The Fire has the band experimenting with some art-rock experimental stuff, which they surprisingly pull off. My Heart Is A Fist also leans on the experimental side, but its powerful bridge makes you want to fly (or jump off a roof). Overall some really solid stuff. BUT….
Bad Stuff- Third song of the album ,Crash, takes some growing into, but a first time listener will be turned off by its ambient annoying noises, and spacey guitar parts. I do like this song now, but only after hearing 10 or 20 times. I Devise My Own Demise, while undeniably catchy, is full of cliches and the same hook Papa Roach used on the Getting Away With Murder album. Just look at the title. Reckless has a country feel to it, and Papa Roach is NOT a country band, and never should be. The song could only be likeable if you like country music (as I do). Time Is Running Out can be annoying with its Whoas at the beginning. You have to grow into this one, even though I find it strange that Papa Roach chose it as the third single. Papa Roach has always been known for writing cliché or often cheesy lyrics at times. They have cleaned that up a bit, but songs like I Devise My Own Demise, Time Is Running Out, and The Fire have some pretty, um, odd lyrics. That’s about it.
Overall I love this album with all my heart. I would normally rate every song with a 5, but I’m trying to write an unbiased review here. So I’m rating this by averaging out the individual track ratings. I’m also being unbiased on the track ratings, so I don’t even know what the rating will be. Hope you enjoyed the review. Lucky first!
Recommended Tracks
…To Be Loved
The World Around You
Forever
Roses On My Grave
Download
Forever
Individual Track Ratings
To Be Loved 4/5
Alive (N’ Out Of Control) 4/5
Crash 3/5
The World Around You 4.5/5
Forever 5/5
I Demise My Own Demise 3.5/5
Time Is Running Out 2.5/5
What Do You Do? 4/5
My Heart Is A Fist 3.5/5
No More Secrets 2.5/5
Reckless 2/5
The Fire 3/5
Roses On My Grave 4/5
Average = Exact 3.5 (Personal Rating = 5)
- Jack
