Friday, December 27, 2019

Organizational Leadership And Emotional Intelligence

Introduction In the field of organizational leadership it is important that the leaders are not only proficient in the area of leadership and building a stellar organization, they must take into consideration the human capital that will be responsible for executing their vision. A part of understanding the organization’s valuable human resource is knowing how to deal with the emotional intelligence of these resources. In his introduction, Goleman (2006), stated that although emotional competencies can be learned, the ability to manage relationships is not a guarantee that it can be mastered. He goes on to say that additional learning is required. Change is the province of leaders (Kouzes and Posner, 2012), and in order to win at both organizational leadership and emotional intelligence, leaders must take risks. Leaders must possess the tenacity to objectively make decisions based on the needs of the organization, all while ensuring that the emotional intelligence needs of the employees are met and not exploited. The following five empirical articles are critical to the understanding of the area of proposed dissertation research. Cavazotte, Moreno and Hickmann (2012), give a comprehensive overview of emotional intelligence based on the element of emotional intelligence influence on leadership. The research problem is based on the inquisition regarding whether emotional intelligence contributes to transformational leadership. The research purpose was toShow MoreRelatedEmotional Intelligence And Organizational Leadership1445 Words   |  6 PagesEmotional Intelligence and Organizational Leadership Various authors have been debating the issue of emotional intelligence and organizational leadership. However, the existing discourse on the matter has been hampered in terms of limited theoretical applications. Moreover, many analysts have failed to propose effective relationships among constructs, thus failing to offer any meaningful relationship between emotional intelligence and organizational leadership. Nevertheless, many authors offerRead MoreUnderstanding Of Emotional Intelligence, Organizational Leadership, And Workplace795 Words   |  4 Pagesusual. Downey (2011) indicated that emotional intelligence, organizational leadership, and workplace culture are directly linked to how employees relate to the leaders of an organization. The understanding of emotional intelligence, its components and a comparable leadership style such as transformational leadership is vital to the success of an organization. The general organizational problem is that employees are burned-out, their lack of trust in senior leadership is affecting the morale of the remainingRead MoreCompetitive Advantage And Stress Of Organizational Health1459 Words   |  6 Pages Competitive Advantage and Stress Organizational health means profit; therefore, to gain profits organizations must secure and grow their competitive advantage. Competitive advantage is the means of strategically differentiating products and/or services an organization from its competitors, such as branding, customer base, product quality, reputation, leadership, organizational culture, innovation, intellectual property, patents, leadership, and customer or governmental relationships, to reduceRead MoreEmotional Intelligence Training For Increased Success1351 Words   |  6 PagesEmotional Intelligence Training for Increased Success The global business environment is complex and dynamic. Everyone working in business across the globe is experiencing stress (Singh Sharma, 2012). Due to the quick pace at which decisions may need to be made, understanding the impact of mood and emotions on decision making is important for leaders (Brabec, 2012). Decisions are made at all levels within the organization, therefore emotional intelligence skills are required for everyone withinRead MoreOrganizational and Professional Development1519 Words   |  6 PagesOrganizational and Professional Development Introduction Social intelligence has been defined as the ability to understand and manage other people, and to engage in adaptive social interactions like making them to get along with you. Social intelligence entails a persons awareness to a situation and the social dynamics that accompany the situation and the knowledge of the strategies and interaction style, that, he/she can use to achieve the desired objective while dealing with others (Bob, 2008)Read MoreTransformational Leadership Style For Producing Positive Changes And Strengthening Organizations982 Words   |  4 PagesTransformational leadership is an effective leadership style for producing positive changes and strengthening organizations. These leaders are passionate, energetic, and focused on helping every member of the group succeed. The four dimensions of transformational leadership garner trust, respect, and admiration from followers in the organization. Organizational commitment results from employees being satisfied and d evoted to the vision of the company. Another important trait of a transformationalRead MoreAssignment Questions On Organizational Behavior1167 Words   |  5 PagesWeek 1 Discussion Post (Michael Baker) This week has been eye opening; I had no idea how involved the topic of â€Å"Organizational Behavior† affected so many aspects of the everyday life within an organization. There are no doubts after reading these first two topics that I’m already going to be able to improve how I handle my subordinates and interact with people at the college where I work. With all the different topics discussed in the text (Uhl-Bien, Piccolo Schermerhorn, 2016) it all comes downRead MoreMy Learning Plan For The Future979 Words   |  4 PagesLeadership Forward Continuous learning and professional development are necessary parts of staying abreast of current leadership topics and practical applications. This is especially the case in the context of the dynamic world of today’s organizations and global economy. My learning plan for the future includes taking advantage of free online courses in leadership and human resources and reading related periodical and journal articles online. In particular, I desire to learn more about the followingRead MoreLeadership Styles And Emotional Intelligence1160 Words   |  5 PagesSadri, 2012). Part of developing effective social skills or intelligence is increasing organizational awareness (Boyatzis, 2011). Organizational awareness is the ability to recognize and comprehend the overt and covert emotional currents as well as power relationship within groups. Leaders with organizational awareness understand the culture and corresponding dynamics (Boyatzis, 2011). Leadership Styles and Emotional Intelligence Leadership can be broken down into two major categories, transactionalRead MoreThe Role Of Transactional Versus Transformational Leadership1320 Words   |  6 Pages As the study of leadership has expanded over the past decades, a general shift in the paradigm of leadership style has begun to occur. The male dominated workforce has started to give way to a far more diversified workplace, with increasing numbers of women and minorities in leadership positions. This shift, resultantly, is causing a move away from the traditional leadership styles, with more focus given to contemporary leadership theories. For example, in a recent TED Talk Roselinde Torres discussed

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Immanuel Kant Metaphysics of Morals Essay - 895 Words

Kant argued that moral requirements are based on a standard of rationality he dubbed the Categorical Imperative (CI). Immorality thus involves a violation of the CI and is thereby irrational. This argument was based on his striking doctrine that a rational will must be regarded as autonomous, or free in the sense of being the author of the law that binds it. The fundamental principle of morality Ââ€" the CI Ââ€" is none other than this law of an autonomous will. Thus, at the heart of Kants moral philosophy is a conception of reason whose reach in practical affairs goes well beyond that of a Humean ‘slave to the passions. Moreover, it is the presence of this self-governing reason in each person that Kant thought offered decisive grounds†¦show more content†¦Intelligence and even pleasure are worth having only on the condition that they do not require giving up a commitment to honor ones fundamental moral convictions In Kants terms, a good will is a will whose decisions are wholly determined by moral demands or as he refers to this, by the Moral Law A holy ordivine will, if it exists, though good, would not be good because it is motivated by thoughts of duty. argues that a dutiful action from any of these motives, however praiseworthy it may be, does not express a good will and other outcomes of lawful behavior. Indeed, we respect these laws to the degree, but only to the degree, that they do not violate values, laws or principles we hold more dear. Yet Kant thinks in acting from duty that we are not at all motivated by a prospective outcome or some other extrinsic feature of our conduct. We are motivated by the mere conformity of our will to law as such Kant holds that the fundamental principle at the basis of all of our moral duties is a categoricalimperative. It is an imperative because it is a command (e.g., Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.) More precisely, it commands us to exercise our wills in a particular way, not to perform some action or other. It is categorical in virtue of applying to us unconditionally, or simply because we possesses rational wills,Show MoreRelatedThe Metaphysic Of Morals By Immanuel Kant1199 Words   |  5 PagesGroundwork for the Metaphysic of Morals by Immanuel Kant: A Reflection and Analysis Author name Name of institutionâ€Æ' In man’s attempt to figure out what is right or wrong, they have developed a number of systems that purportedly deal with such matters. Immanuel Kant expanded on his moral philosophy in his work, Groundwork for the Metaphysic of Morals. This paper will be a reflection upon Kantian ethical principles presented therein and their relation to what is generally called morality. PeopleRead MoreThe Metaphysics of Morals by Immanuel Kant Essay1150 Words   |  5 Pagesof morals in the Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant explores the question of whether a human being is capable of acting solely out of pure duty and if our actions hold true moral value. In passage 407, page 19, Kant proposes that if one were to look at past experiences, one cannot be certain that his or her rationalization for performing an action that conforms with duty could rest solely on moral grounds. In order to fully explain the core principle of moral theory, Kant distinguishesRead MoreImmanuel Kant - Metaphysics of Morals Essay1580 Words   |  7 PagesIn his publication, Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals, Immanuel Kant supplies his readers with a thesis that claims morality can be derived from the principle of the categorical imperative. The strongest argument to support his thesis is the difference between actions in accordance with duty and actions in acc ordance from duty. To setup his thesis, Kant first draws a distinction between empirical and a priori concepts. Empirical concepts are ideas we reach from our experiences in the worldRead MoreImmanuel Kant s Metaphysics Of Morals897 Words   |  4 PagesIn Immanuel Kant’s Groundwork of Metaphysics of Morals, Kant argues that one’s duty requires an individual to act against one’s inclinations, wants and desires, in order to achieve a higher moral worth. For Kant, the concept of duty is something that you ought to do despite not wanting to, assuming the duty is possible. A duty contains the concept of good will, or acting on one’s duty, against one’s inclinations, which is how moral worth is achieved. In order for an individual to achieve a higherRead MoreImmanuel Kant s Metaphysics Of Morals2091 Words   |  9 PagesImmanuel Kant’s Metaphysics of Morals The Greeks classified their philosophy into three fields, namely: †¢ Physics †¢ Ethics †¢ Logic All these three fields tend to interrelate in an attempt to describe nature and the life we live in. Physics is also known as the ‘doctrine of nature’ since it attempts to describe almost all the happenings of life (Wood W. Allen). Physics explains phenomenon such as why does the sun come out during the day, why do we see different colors and so on. It is an attempt toRead MoreGrounding For The Metaphysics Of Morals And On Groveling By Immanuel Kant891 Words   |  4 PagesImmanuel Kant discusses the second and third translation pieces in â€Å"Key Selections.† In Grounding for the Metaphysics of Morals and On Groveling, Kant explains that humans have an animal-like nature. If Kant was charged with the statement, â€Å"Bottom line, humans are nothing more than insignificant creatures with an animal nature,† he would have a mixed response to the charge. Although Kant may not believe that neither humans or animals are insignificant, he would recognize the re lation and similaritiesRead MoreA Summary of Groundworks of the Metaphysics of Morals by Immanuel Kant1290 Words   |  6 Pages------------------------------------------------- Critique of Practical Reason and Groundwork for the Metaphysic of Morals Summary Groundwork for the Metaphysic of Morals, published in 1785, is Kant’s first major work in ethics. Like the Prolegomena to Any Future Metaphysics, the Groundwork is the short and easy-to-read version of what Kant deals with at greater length and complexity in his Critique. The Critique of Practical Reason, published three years later, contains greater detail than theRead MoreThird Breaking Down His Most Important Philosophies1097 Words   |  5 PagesGroundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals 2. Metaphysical Foundations of Natural Science 3. Critique of Practical Reason 4. Critique of the Power of Judgment 5. Critique of Pure Reason a. Knowledge b. Metaphysics Topic: Critique of Pure Reason In order to understand Kant’s position, we must first understand the philosophical environment that influenced his thinking. There are two major historical movements in the early modern period of philosophy that had a very large impact on Kant: Empiricism andRead MoreComparing David Hume and Immanuel Kant Essay1356 Words   |  6 PagesComparing David Hume and Immanuel Kant David Hume and Immanuel Kant each made a significant break from other theorists in putting forward a morality that doesn’t require a higher being or god, for a man to recognize his moral duty. Although Hume and Kant shared some basic principals they differed on their view of morality. In comparing the different views on human will and the maxims established to determine moral worth by David Hume and Immanuel Kant, I find their theories on morality have someRead MoreImmanuel Kant And The Ford Pinto Case991 Words   |  4 Pages Immanuel Kant and The Ford Pinto Case Immanuel Kant ¶s theory on morals states that  ³nothing can possibly be conceived in the world, or even out of it, which can be called good, without qualification, except a good will. ´ 1 Kant points to other human qualities such as courage, intelligence, wit and others that are  ³undoubtedly good and desirable, ´ 2 however, can become bad if the will of the person using them is not good. Kant maintains that in order for an action to be considered moral, it

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Oppressed Slaves To Champion Soldiers Essay Example For Students

Oppressed Slaves To Champion Soldiers Essay Oppressed Slaves to Champion SoldiersThis is just a small example of the doubt and hatred that was bestowed on the African American soldiers. However, during the war, they proved themselves to be brave and courageous men on and off the battlefield on many occasions. Despite deep prejudices and harsh criticisms from the white society, these men were true champions of patriotism. The cause of the Civil War was tension between the North and the South. The sectional division between the areas began in colonial times, largely resulting from geographical differences. The South was ideal for growing tobacco due to the warm climate and the fertile soil. Plantations brought in black slaves from Africa to provide most of the labor required for growing the crop. In time, other plantation crops such as cotton, sugar cane, indigo, and sugar beets were to thrive in the South. By the onset of the Civil War, 2.4 million slaves were engaged in cotton production (Long 16). A rural way of life that supported an agrian economy based on slave labor was quickly established in the South. The North, however, was a cooler, rockier climate that would not support the development of plantations. As a result, the Norths economy came to depend more on trade and industry than on agriculture. This economy supported the growth of cities, although many lived in rural areas during the coloni al period. The sectional division between North and South had widened enormously by the mid 1800s. The United States had expanded all the way to the Pacific Ocean and was rapidly becoming a major industrial and commercial nation. However, industry and commerce were centered in the North. The Northerners welcomed modernization and the constant changes it brought to their way of life. Their ideals included hard work, education, economic independence, and the belief that the community had the right and responsibility to decide whether an action was moral or immoral. While Northerners looked forward to a different and better future, Southerners held the present and past dear. They enjoyed a prosperous agricultural economy based on slave labor and wished to keep their old way of life. By the 1800s, northerners viewed slavery as wrong and began a movement to end it. Even though an antislavery minority existed in the South, most Southerners found slavery to be highly profitable and in time came to consider it a positive good. Such situations as the Compromise of 1850 and the Kansas-Nebraska Act raised tensions between the North and the South. The Compromise of 1850 was a group of acts passed by Congress in the hope of settling the dreaded slavery question by satisfing both the North and South. The Compromise allowed slavery to continue where it desired, but the trading of slaves was prohibited in Washington DC. New territories would have the choice to decide whether to permit slavery or not. This act also required that the North return escaped slaves to their owners. The Kansas-Nebraska Act dealt with the problem of Slavery in new territories. This Act allowed slavery in Nebraska and Kansas. It also provided that when the people of each territory o! rganized as a st ate, they could decide by popular vote whether to permit slavery to continue. The Dred Scott Decision, where a slave claimed freedom because he had lived in a free state and territory for some time, was denied his freedom. The Supreme Court declared that no black could be a US citizen. The ruling aroused anger in the North and showed that the conflict over slavery was beyond judicial solutions. Another situation was the raid at Harpers Ferry. An abolitionist named John Brown and his followers attempted to start a slave rebellion by seizing the federal arsenal in Harpers Ferry, Va. Brown, however, was captured 28 hours later by troops under the command of Colonel Robert E. Lee. Brown was convicted of treason and hanged two weeks later. Many Southerners saw the raid as evidence of a Northern plot to end slavery by force. During the election of 1860, Lincoln was chosen by the Republicans as their party candidate. The Democrats chose Douglas for their ticket. Lincoln won all electoral v otes of every free state except New Jersey, which awarded him four of its seven votes. He thus gained a majority of electoral votes and won the election. However, Lincoln received less than 40 per cent of the popular vote, almost none of which came from the South. Southerners feared Lincoln would restrict or end slavery. Before the 1860 presidential election, Southern leaders had urged that the South secede from the Union if Lincoln should win. Many Southerners favored secession as part of the idea that the states have rights and powers which the federal government cannot legally deny. The supporters of states rights held that the national government was a league of independent states, any of which had the right to secede. In December 1860, South Carolina became the first state to secede. Five other states Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana followed in January 1861. In February, representatives from the six states met in Montgomery, Ala., and established the Confederate States of America. They elected Jefferson Davis of Mississippi as president and Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia as vice president. In March, Texas joined the confederacy. Lincoln was inaugurated two days later. In his inaugural address, Lincoln avoided any threat of immediate force against the South. But he stated that the Union would last forever and that he would use the nations full power to hold federal possessions in the South. One of the possessions, the military post of Fort Sumter, lay in the harbor of Charleston, SC. The Confederates fired on the fort on April 12 and forced its surrender the next day. Following the firing on Fort Sumter, Fredrick Douglass wrote a fiery editorial Nemesis:At last our proud Republic is overtaken. Our National Sin has found us out. The National Head is bowed down, and our face is mantled with shame and confusion. No foreign arm is made bare for our chastisement. No distant monarch, offended at our freedom and prosperity, has plotted our destruction no envious tyrant has prepared for our necks his oppressive yoke. Slavery has done it all. Our enemies are those of our own household. It is civil war, the worst of all wars, that has unveiled its savage and wrinkled front among us. During the last twenty years and more, we have as a nation been forging a bolt for our own national destruction, collecting and augmenting the fuel that now threatens to wrap the nation in its malignant and furious flames. We have sown the wind, only to reap the whirlwind. Against argument, against all manner of appeal and remonstrances coming up from the warm and merciful heart of humanity, we have gone on like the oppressors of Egypt, hardenin! g our hearts and increasing the burdens of the American slave, and strengthening the arm of his guilty master, till now, in the pride of his giant power, that master is emboldened to lift rebellious arms against the very majesty of the law, and defy the power of the Government itself. In vain have we plunged our souls into new and unfathomed depths of sin, to conciliate the favor and secure the loyalty of the slave holding class. We have hated and persecuted the Negro we have scourged him out of the temple of just ice by the Dred Scott decision we have shot and hanged his friends at Harpers Ferry we have enacted laws for his further degradation, and even to expel him from the borders of some of our States we have joined in the infernal chase to hunt him down like a beast, and fling him into the hell of slavery we have repealed and trampled upon laws designed to prevent the spread of slavery and in a thousand ways given to increase the power and ascendancy of slavery ! over all departments of Government and now, as our reward, this slave-holding power comes with sword, gun, and cannon to take the life of the nation and overthrow the great American Government (Long 26). There is no more moving and telling an expression of the Blacks view of the Civil War than this (Long 26). trail of tears EssayThe decision to use the blacks as soldiers was by no means universally popular and was also selfishly motivated. The decision to use the Negro as a soldier did not necessarily grow out of any broad humanitarian resolve it seems to have come more largely out of the dawning realization that, since the Confederates were going to kill a great many more Union soldiers before the war was over, a good many white men would escape death if a considerable percentage of those soldiers were colored. (Leckie 4). Blacks sought refuge behind the Union lines in greater and greater numbers throughout the war (Long 26). So why would blacks still want to fight for the country that did not want them, but needed them to fight? Runaway slaves from the South joined the Union army for two reasons: They wanted to protect themselves and escape the grasp of the South, and they wanted to fight the evils of slavery. Frederick Douglas encouraged blacks to join the Union cause. The first blac k regiment to be formed was the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteers in October, 1862. There were doubts against this group from their very beginning. In general, white soldiers and officers believed that black men lacked the courage to fight and fight well. In October, 1862, African-American soldiers of the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteers silenced their critics by repulsing attacking Confederates at the battle of Island Mound, Missouri. (Park Net 1) At the battle of Port Hudson, Louisiana, May 27, 1863, the African-American soldiers bravely advanced over open ground in the face of deadly artillery fire. Although the attack failed, the black soldiers proved their capability to withstand the heat of battle. On July 17, 1863, at Honey Springs, Indian Territory, now Oklahoma, the 1st Kansas Colored fought with courage once again. Union troops under General James Blunt ran into a strong Confederate force under General Douglas Cooper. After a two-hour bloody engagement, Coopers soldiers retreated. The 1st Kansas, which had held the center of the Union line, advanced to within fifty paces of the Confederate line and exchanged fire for some twenty minutes until the Confederates broke and ran. General Blunt wrote after the battle, I never saw such fighting as was done by the Negro regiment. The question if Negroes will fight is settled besides they make better soldiers in every respect than any other troops I have ever had under my command. After this battle, black soldiers began to receive some respect. (Park Net 1). Even though the 1st Kansas regiment and other colored groups were beginning to win many battles, discrimination in pay and other areas remained widespread. According to the Milit ia Act of 1862, soldiers of African descent were to receive $10.00 a month, plus a clothing allowance of $3.50. Many regiments struggled for equal pay, some refusing any money. However, Congress granted equal pay for all black soldiers in June of 1864. The most famous black regiment would have to be the 54th Massachusetts. On February 16, 1863, a call for black soldiers was published in the columns of the Boston Journal. In five days, twenty-five men were secured. Much of the larger number of recruits were obtained through black organizations in the Boston area. This regiment was to be lead by Colonel Robert Shaw. This regiment has gained great popularity over the last decade with the release of the Oscar-winning film Glory. The most widely known battle fought by African-Americans was the assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina, by the 54th Massachusetts on July 18, 1863. The 54th volunteered to lead the assault on the strongly-fortified Confederate positions. It was a suicide mission from the start. But if the black soldiers had any success in the attack, all doubts would be lifted for they would have defeated all odds. To this Massachusetts Fifty-fourth was set the stupendous task to convince the white race that colored troops would fight, and not only would they fight, but that they could be made, in every sense of the word, soldiers (Emilio 17). Your success hangs on the general success. If the Union lives, it will live with equal races. If divided, and you have done your duty, then you will stand upon the same platform with the white race. Then make use of the offers Government has made you for if you are not willing to fight your way up to office, you are not worthy of it. Put yourselves under the starts and stripes, and fight yourselves to the marquee of a general, and you shall come out with a sword! (Emilio 14). The soldiers of the 54th scaled the forts parapet, and were only driven back after brutal hand-to-hand combat. A monument of the 54th and its slain leader Colonel Robert Shaw was installed in Boston May 31st, 1897. Black soldiers participated in every major campaign of 1864-1865 except Shermans invasion of Georgia. The year 1864 was especially eventful for black troops. On April 12, 1864, at Fort Pillow, Tennessee, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest led his 2,500 men against the Union-held fortification, occupied by 292 black and 285 white soldiers. After driving the Union pickets and giving the garrison an opportunity to surrender, Forrests men swarmed into the fort with little difficulty and drove the Federals down the rivers bluff into a deadly crossfire. Casualties were high and only sixty-two of the US Color Troops survived the fight. Many accused the Confederates of perpetuating a massacre of black troops, and the controversy continues to this day. The battle cry for the Negro soldier east of the Mississippi River became Remember Fort Pillow!' (Park Net 5). The Confederate army did not consider the usage of slaves throughout the war. However, near the end when the future looked dismal, the South decided to use blacks for the Confederate cause. Leaders of the Confederacy considered schemes for the enlistment of blacks in the armies and for their eventual freedom (Long 26). However, those who did serve in the Confederate army were not given their freedom by the Confederate government, but rather by the North after the war had ended. The United States Civil War began as an effort to save the Union, and ended in a fight to abolish slavery. This battle for emancipation, some would argue, was won by the slaves themselves. While this remains a debate, it is clear that the slaves did contribute significantly to their own freedom. By running from masters to become contrabands for the Union, laboring behind the scenes for the Northern armies, and risking their lives on the battlefront, the slaves centralized the issue of freedom and played a key role in the Norths victory. (New York Public Library 1). In actual numbers, African-American soldiers comprised 10% of the entire Union Army. Losses among African-Americans were high, and from all reported casualties, approximately one-third of all African-Americans enrolled in the military lost their lives during the Civil war. (Park Net 5). African-American soldiers, despite doubt and prejudice by society, proved themselves to be formidable warriors on the battlefield. They were just as deadly, if not deadlier, that their white counterparts. They won many of the Civil War battles, and in doing so, won their independence. Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letters, US, let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pockets, and there is no power on earth which can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship in the United States (Park Net 1).

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

Paramore by Paramore free essay sample

After a nearly 4 year hiatus (with the exception of 2011’s digitally downloadable 4-track promotional entitled Singles Club), Paramore is back with a self-titled album that has got everyone’s ears standing at attention. A new sound and a new attitude has earned this reconstructed band both praises and ills from fans of their previous work, while critics contribute overwhelmingly positive sentiments. I will be the first to say that no one person is completely wrong in their assessment of Paramore. Before delving into the album’s positives and negatives, one must understand the context of this band’s eight year stint in the music industry. Signed to Atlantic Records subsidiary rock label Fueled by Ramen in 2005, the band released their first album All We Know Is Falling the same year. Riot! and Brand New Eyes followed in 2007 and 2009 respectively. Paramore started to experience internal shakiness that culminated in the departure of members Josh (rhythm guitar, co-writer, and backing vocals) and Zac Farro (Drums), brothers who were founding members of the band. We will write a custom essay sample on Paramore by Paramore or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The departures came in December 2010, right before the band was scheduled to embark on a South American Tour. Bitter media chaos ensued, but Hayley Williams (lead singer, co-writer) assured the world that Paramore would go on. That sense of hope in continuity is what propels Paramore. The aptly titled â€Å"Last Hope† has Hayley and remaining members Jeremy Davis (bass guitar) and Taylor York (rhythm guitar) singing â€Å"And the salt in my wounds isnt burning any more than it used to/Its not that I dont feel the pain/Its just Im not afraid of hurting anymore†. Here listeners get that the band will always feel heartbreak over what happened concerning their split with the Farro brothers, but they are done with the fear of pursuing longevity in the business. Williams, York, and Davis throw all hope, energy, and resolve into Paramore, especially with the first track â€Å"Fast in My Car†. It is not their best work lyrically, but the rousing drum beat and use of techno synths (a first for Paramore) makes the song a worthy opener. The biggest thing to note about â€Å"Car†, though, is its signal to veteran Paramore fans that this band is growing and changing—in big ways. Gone are the pop-punk days of Riot; mainstream rock and roll is now the name of the game. Track nine, as well as the second single released, is â€Å"Still Into You†. Because of its poppy vibe and powerful bridge vocals from Williams, â€Å"Still Into You† is an easy Top 40 hit. This contradicts with what I said earlier about the entire album being a mainstream rock success, but hey, if alternative metal band Linkin Park can become a pop radio staple, why can’t Paramore? Musical styling continues to have matriculated past pop-punk to include cross-genre influences. â€Å"Aint It Fun† sounds like a southern gospel choir decided to do a collaboration with 90s era No Doubt. On paper it sounds awful, but trust me it isn’t. â€Å"Part II† deftly intertwines past songs into probably the best song on the album. It serves as homage to old Paramore, as well as a clear part two to Riot!’s â€Å"Let the Flames Begin†. And boom! Right when we thought all of 2007’s spunk had drained out like Hayley’s bright orange hair dye, we hear â€Å"Anklebiters† and â€Å"Be Alone† toward the end of the album. If those two songs are not what Paramore is about, then I don’t know this band (Of which I have been a fan for seven years now, thank you very much). The Farro brothers left the bar high as far as lyric writing and drumming talent. In exchange for their absence we get synths and pushed vocals and raw—happiness. Fourteen songs and three ukulele interludes later, Paramore is done. It’ll leave you with a â€Å"what did I just hear?† look on your face, but in a good way, I promise.