Paramore

Paramore recently had to delay the start of its fall tour because singer Hayley Williams needed some voice rest. The delay was not only smart, it was necessary: The pint-size dynamo is the heart, soul and figurehead of the Nashville band. (Credit her diary-entry lyrics, carrot-colored-hair and penchant for wearing daring fashion items, such as bright yellow pants.) But Williams' searing honesty wouldn't work so well if her bandmates weren't also becoming formidable musicians in their own right. Paramore's latest album, brand new eyes, shows off an impressive range of styles — Death Cab for Cutie-caliber indie-pop, punk-pop, folksy ballads and chugging alt-rock. Williams too has never sounded more confident or mature. Heck, she even resembles Kay Hanley of Letters to Cleo on "Turn It Off."