Disco de Evanescence: “Fallen”

I haven't written a review in a very long time now, (Probably over a year) but I was inspired to share my opinion on a great new band that has some solid potential. Evanescence has, probably, one of the best overall sounds I've heard in a "new" band in quite a while. While the music does sound comparable to Linkin Park (who I also like) - The Vocals and overall feel of the album is something unique and exciting. I'll do a quick breakdown of the songs:

Going Under: One of the best songs on the album without a doubt. Surprising and interesting at every turn. Very Original. 5/5

Bring Me To Life: The song most people know them by. Maybe a little over played on the radio, but a great song none-the-less. And the song that got me interested in them to begin with. 4.5/5

Everybody's Fool: A solid song that expands you a little deeper into the sound of the band. 4/5

My Immortal: A haunting and beautiful song. Amy's voice sends chills up my spine. 4.5/5

Haunted: A great song. Dark and eerie, may incite thought and contemplation. 4.5/5

Tourniquet: Awesome song. (Though the lyrics are a little on the strange side) Great Melody. 4/5

Imaginary: This song has a great transfer from the previous song and is a solid effort as well. Both these songs together make for a great 8 minute excursion. 4/5

Taking Over Me: Best Song on the Disc (in my opinion). Played this one over and over again. All around great melody, chorus and the music is outstanding. 5/5

Hello: A little strange on this one, but another solid effort. Amy's voice once again, shines on this one. 4/5

My Last Breath: A Good song. Probably the "average song" of the record, if that makes any sense. 4/5

Whisper: Now, surprisingly this was my least favorite song on the album. The end of the song is a little out there and while I like the music and the vocals, it seemed to lose me towards the end and seemed a little lacking in the melodies and lyrics. 3.5/5

Overall, a solid 4/5. While I do see the validity of a comparison to Linkin Park and bands of the like, I must express that I feel this band still manages to have a unique sound that I really enjoyed. Simply, a breath of fresh air.

I was pretty hyped to hear this album after they began playing "bring me to life" on the radio. What a great sound! I've heard it described as Linkin Park meets Tori Amos, and I guess that's accurate, but I was a little disappointed to find that Paul McCoy, who does the guest vocals on "bring me to life", is not featured on any of the other tracks. Also, the album is short, with only 11 songs total, and it left me wishing for a little more. However, I thought this cd was delightful! Amy Lee's vocals are stunning, and definitely are the highlight of the band. Each song has somewhat of a gothic romanticism about it; lots of dreamy, almost nightmarish themes of dying, bleeding, taking my last breath, whispering, salvation, and of course, bringing me to life. The feeling is very consistant throughout the whole cd, although it may even be a little too repititous when you listen to the album from start to finish. The standout tracks are definitely "going under", "bring me to life", and especially "tourniquet", which I thought was a little morbid overkill at first, but has really grown on me the more I hear it. Even the cd's several piano ballads are nice to listen to! Overall, Fallen may not be hard enough for rap/metal or techno/industrial types, for whom it seems targeted, but it will surely be a mainstream hit. I would recommend this album to anyone who is thirsting for something refreshingly new in rock, having such contrasting, yet complimenting elements as heavy guitar rifts and beats, side by side with beautiful vocals and passionate lyrics.

I sift through these reviews and shake my head in amazement. For every review that bashes Evanescence, there are 25 that praise them. I have been listening, playing, writing, and enjoying music for 20 years, and can say this with the utmost confidence, Evanescence is singular. Amy Lee may very well be the most gifted vocalist on the planet. Her haunting sound is something that pulled me into this CD from the very first note I heard her belt out. Ben Moody, while not the most accomplished guitarist on the rock scene is most surely a gifted writer. This may be one of the most justified CD purchases I have ever had the pleasure of making. The songs range from prog-rock to haunting anthems of pain and loss, the music is ethereal, the writing is top notch. Evanescence is energy, synergy, life. One only needs to "listen" to Tourniquet or Hello to understand that this is a band that is here to stay.

Turns out that movie soundtracks are fast becoming the best channel for breakout artists. Little Rock's Evanescence has a devoted following in their hometown. Buy this CD and find out why. Lee's vocals are at once powerfully strong and beautifully soft, and she is backed by strong song co-writers, musicians, and production. Stand-tracks include "Bring Me To Life" and "Everybody's Fool".

Not since Australia's Suze DeMarchi (late of Baby Animals and a too-short solo career) have we heard such a talented female vocalist who seems like she can sing anything.

She makes it sound easy. If you buy it, go ahead and stash your other CDs away for a few weeks. You won't need 'em.

Although a bit suspicious at first due to the heavy airplay of the first two tracks ("Bring me to Life" and "Going Under") , it was when I heard "Immortal" that I took the decsion to get this cd as fast as possible. (Both previous tracks were gems and I have/had always appreciated hearing them on radio and tv). This cd is a must, and is an oasis in this rap/hip hop/gansta rap overdominated world. The tracks are ingeniously crafted from Amy and Moody and produced into a super set of rock tracks. Don't compare this group to anything else on the market, they are a one of a kind and this feeling will surely sink in after hearing all the songs.

One of the main reasons of bying this cd was the voice of Amy Lee which is the fresh new female voice that the music industry has been waiting for for a long long time.