While the word Evanescence may signify a disappearance, this band is firmly planted in its music.
The best way to describe Fallen, the second full-length CD release from the Arkansas quartet Evanescence, would be haunting, melodious and very gothic.
Vocalist Amy Lee brings her unique voice to a band that may otherwise be grouped in the nondescript New Metal/Goth genre. Her vocals are so smooth and beautiful that the contrast it paints with the harder-edged music is magnificent.
“We’re definitely a rock band,” 20-year-old lead singer Lee said in an online interview from the band’s Web site, www.evanescence.com. “But the twist is that the band’s music is epic, dramatic, dark rock.”
Audiences first sparked interest in Evanescence for its contributions to the Daredevil soundtrack, “Bring Me To Life” and “My Immortal.” These two songs show the range this band is capable of.
In “Bring Me to Life,” the band members demonstrate their harder edge venturing into the rap/rock fusion with guest vocalist Paul McCoy from 12 Stones, while “My Immortal” is a delicate ballad mourning the loss of a love whose absence will always be felt as a haunting presence.
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Luckily for any fan of the first two singles, these tracks are included on the band’s full length CD, making the purchase of the Daredevil soundtrack unnecessary.
With so many groups fronted by girls nowadays it would almost seem that the novelty would have worn off by now. This would doubtlessly be the case if so many of them weren’t so damn talented.
There is just something about a female’s voice that can add so many more layers to a song. Men can’t do it. Besides, hearing a guy sing about lost loves and broken hearts really isn’t sexy.
The compositions on Fallen are as powerful and engaging as the language. Lyrically, Evanescence explores dark, introspective themes of love, desperation and despair.
Most of the songs seem to come straight from the heart. In “Going Under,” the opening track, Lee sings, “Maybe I’ll wake up for once/not tormented daily defeated by you/just when I thought I’d reached the bottomI’m dying again.”
All right, so it’s generally a fairly depressing album.
Overall, Fallen is a good CD. However, there isn’t much innovation.
On some levels it’s just a hard rock CD, though it does shine brilliantly at times.
While not the greatest musical accomplishment, it has a lot going for it, making it a worthwhile addition to any CD collection.
