Kevin Churko was enlisted as producer, due to his diverse collaborations with artists such as Ozzy Osbourne, Shania Twain, and Britney Spears.

[5] The most notable differences between The Dream and Beautiful Tragedy are the missing metalcore elements and the ditching of Maria Brink's screams in favor of more singing.

The video was directed by David Brodsky and features the band performing near the ocean and scenes of Maria underwater, which was filmed in a huge aquarium.

In support of The Dream, the band kicked off a North American trek with Five Finger Death Punch and Bury Your Dead in October.

The band kicked off its first headlining tour called A Winter to Remember in November 2009 with Motionless in White, In Fear and Faith, and We Are Machines.

[9] An expanded reissue called The Ultra Violet Edition was released in the US on June 30, 2009 in time for their Warped Tour appearance.

Alex Henderson from AllMusic said "But while some fans of Beautiful Tragedy will no doubt cry "sellout", the bottom line is that The Dream is a well-crafted, well-executed alternative rock/alternative metal effort... And even though some fans of metalcore and screamo will lament the band's pop-friendly makeover, that doesn't make The Dream any less excellent.

"[5] Adrian Begrand from PopMatters wrote that the album "appeals to parents of Paramore fans, one that will have them remembering just how flat-out fun hard rock and pop metal was two decades ago.