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Tonight Alive

What Are You So Scared Of?

Written by: PP on 26/01/2012 13:19:20

So if you're like me and cannot for the love of God understand why Paramore are so popular after their mediocre third album that turned into a boring mainstream pop rock album after the first two tracks, but would still like to hear some quality female-fronted pop punk from time to time, then Australia has an answer for you. Tonight Alive namely make it no secret that they are cloning Paramore's early sound note-by-note on their debut album "What Are You So Scared Of?", while also throwing in a few soundbites from Yellowcard's more anthemic side (think "Lights And Sounds" era) in for good measure.

Basically, Tonight Alive bring the pop punk back to the female fronted rock sound spearheaded by Paramore. It's all very formulaic, yes, and it's obviously seeking to cash in on Paramore's success, but with songs like "Thank You & Goodnight" and "Breaking & Entering" in their arsenal, they deliver the style to the letter but with enough energy to sound convincing, and in my ears, better than Paramore today. There are anthemic sing alongs helped along by a perfect major label style production that makes everything sound polished and full of grandeur, but it fits for this type of release, at least to some extent. There are certainly moments in which Tonight Alive cross the cheesy line for my taste, these being the dime-a-dozen mainstream pop ballads they throw in between the high-energy girl power explosions, and you could also argue that their vocalist Jenna McDougall sounds so identical to Hayley Williams that she might as well be Haley, but for the most part Tonight Alive deliver and enjoyable, if a little too predictable female-fronted pop punk product with "What Are You So Scared Of?".

If I were to pull out my crystal ball and predict the future, my guess is that Tonight Alive will fall hopelessly flat on their collective faces starting from their sophomore album by mellowing down their sound to a more pop/rock approach much the same way as Paramore did. Here's to hoping they won't; there's just so much more energy in the pop punk expression in comparison, which in 95% of the cases makes for a better album.

Download: Thank You & Goodnight, Breaking & Entering,
For the fans of: Paramore, Hey Monday, We Are The In Crowd, Yellowcard
Listen: Soundcloud

Release date 14.10.2011
Fearless Records / Sony Music