We are not GOTH, We are ...?
DEVO? .... (what Wind-Up Records has done with its CREED money ... hmm)
Actually one of the best discoveries by the Luau this year, which we have taken 8 million years to write about
So it all begins with a mixed movie called Daredevil ... and two songs that really stand out on the soundtrack ... one a pianoey melancholy gut wrencher during the funeral of Elektra Natchios father ... the other a crushing nu-hard rocker while Elektra was taking out sugar bags that looked like Castaway's WILSON ... ha
In short, our grade:
Evanescence - Fallen: A-
(Satan's Luau: Major Debut of the Year (to date) ... and yes, we do realize there was a disc before this one)
Ok, so what are Evanescence ... are they GOTH .... are they eeeek, Christian?!?!?!? ... kidding ... what they are to me after all these many listens are the revitalization of GOTH music in that they freshen it up entirely, and bring it to the masses ... whether they are X-ian or not? who knows, but a ton of Christian radio playlists had them listed for a while because it seems as if that was this band's roots ... likely because some of their music is spiritual in content
What is striking about the music is its darkness and moodiness and soulfulness combined with really amazing, clear, powerful, and HAUNTING vocals ... oh did I say Female vocals? ... yes, one of the most powerful female vocalists I've heard in a long time ... and the songs are compelling in their own individual way --- in other words, they don't blend into each other and put your ears to sleep with sameness sounding
In debating whether to do a track by track, this CD is one where you must listen to it to appreciate it ... soft to loud, emotional vocals that go real thick on the EMO ... orchestras, pianos, heavy guitar ... it's all here ---
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - visualsimplicity
Agreed. The Mike Shinoda sound-a-like (Paul McCoy) isn't even part of the band. I suppose he was Wind-up records marketable addition to the song. Anyway, Bring Me To Life is definitely not a complete representation of the album as a whole. There next single Going Under probably is a much better representation. Anyway, I'd second the recommendation of this album not only for it's freshness, but the fact that the music from the album is truly a polished masterpiece.
2 - visualsimplicity
Oh I forgot to add that if you are able to find their first album, Origins, which is out of print, I'd definitely recommend picking it up. It contains a lot of the songs on Fallen but in it's original form, which I believe to be better than the new versions.
3 - BRICKLAYER
VERY overhyped, but not bad. Bands like Lacuna Coil, and Lullacry have been doing it longer and better. Also, they are pretty weak for back pedaling on their Christianity, and revising their history, but I know they have to make themselves as appealing as possible to the lowest common denominator, er, I mean mainstream music buying public. And your use of the term "emo" is silly. "Emo" pianos and orchestra??? Check yourself, fool. That term like all others appropriated by clueless music reviewers has now lost all meaning, but you could atleast save it for bands who actually are "Emo", or "Emo" influenced. Check here for futue reference, slappy: http://www.fourfa.com/index.html
4 - Bat Boy
I cant say I like this album. It sounds alright, no doubt, but when they are singing about the christian stuff i just dont buy into it.
Also you did a good job describing the music but then you started throwing out labels left and right. I dont think it helped your case to say emo, and numetal and rock throughout the review. Shoulda stuck with haunting vocals.
5 - ummmmm a
evanescence is without a doubt my fav band. i cannot see how anyone who adores rock music couldnt like it. i could see those who are used to "pop" music taking an instant distaste to it. To true rockers, this is a dream. True talent...call it goth, defiently not christian rock, but true rock music. I wouldn't make a link to Linkin Park, but just look at evanescence as they r. they are evanescence. they have been around for ages but just becos of sum movie daredevil they r only becoming popular. stop comparing and enjoy the rock talent.
rock on.
6 - Fallen
i love this band! they are one of the best if not the best. Their songs are very meaningful. I've read some other comments about evanescence, they hate it. I felt this fire burning up my body.
Amy Lee is the best vocalist, very strong vocals! Check out the octaves!
Evanescence rocks!!
7 - jaydees
Two months ago I knew nothing about rock music, didnt want to know about rock music. Then, on the back of hearing "Bring me to life" I decided to give Fallen a try and bought the album. It is without doubt the finest album that I have ever heard and that is quite something coming from a lifelong erm... Michael Jackson fan!!!! Never heard female vocals quite like those of Amy Lee, I think her voice is amazing and shes gorgeous as well, some people have all the luck. The biggest compliment I can pay this band is that they have got me listening to rock music, which I never thought I would. Roll on the follow up album
8 - Goth of monkeys
HOW CAN YOU GET ORIGINS??? I am soo desperate to get my hands on at least a MP3 of it. Can anyone help? E-mail me if possible. Earthmage1@hotmail.com
9 - Goth of monkeys
Two more things. Evanescence are great and the album Fallen really rocks some ass, and the second thing is i spealt my e-mail wrong - anything of ORIGINS:
Earthmagen1@hotmail.com
(And NOOOO Spam, unless "Origins" or "Fallen" related - or monkeys ;D)
10 - juan d melo
this is not a gothic band, you should listen to other bands which are true gothic bands (within temptation, trail of tears, tristania, lacuna coil etc..)evanescence is a good band but you cant compare them to this bands. dont be so fool.
11 - Evanescence Boy
You idiots. It's called ORIGIN. not ORIGINS. i cannot see why you people have said that bands like lacuna coil are actual goth rock bands, not evanescence. i am one of the hugest lacuna coil fans, but dont you dare say that. lacuna coil is just referred to a better goth rock band because it has guy girl vocals... evanescence may not have guy vocals, but it has (well, had) better guitar and drum to it. THE LACUNA COIL CHIC ISNT EVEN ROCK AT ALL LIKE AMY LEE IS. her voice is too angelic. she would be nothing without the guy... and lacuna coil lyrics are meaningless.
simply-- evanescence is the best goth rock band i have ever heard. 'origin' may not be as hard rock as 'fallen', but evanescence came out with it 2 or 3 years before 'fallen'. they have matured. do not be fooled by thinking just because origin isnt as hard rock they arent.
evanescence is true goth rock/nu metal
12 - coolie57*
Yes iam another person that has listened 2 Michael Jackson and lots of r&b, hip hop till i heard Evanescence! They r truly a great band, i love all the songs on the album and Amy"s voice is truly amazing! I would say that their music is Goth Nu metal.
13 - Gibbo
ok starts...evanescence is not nu metal...how could you call anything with any real musical content nu metal??? but really all this labelling is ridiculous...who gives a shit what you think is a 'true' goth rock band...as long as its good music who cares??? second...origin or origin..who gives a shit about whether ther's an s on the end or not??? anyway it was only out a year before fallen (yes thats right 2002). If you're gonna say that Lacuna Coil's lyrics are meaningless i think you should really listen to them first. Next if anything wants the mp3s of origin...join the ultimate metal hub on dc++...a few people on there including myself have the full album shared for download
14 - Red
I'd have to say that I'm totally, completely overwhelmed by how much people like this band. Sorry, but it just doesn't do it for me. It DOES sound like Linkin Park, no matter what you say. Really, even just the lyrics are similar. I guess since I don't like "Bring Me To Life," I don't like music. I guess you wouldn't call 80's rock "music." If you listen to the trash the money-grabbing music industry pushes today, I say YOU like non-music. There's too many singers today singing about how much life sucks and stuff. Grow up, modern music. There's more to life than depression. What happened to party bands like the immortal Roth-era Van Halen? What happened to truly good vocalists? What happened to rock? If this is modern rock, I'll excuse myself to go throw up.
15 - david
in response to the question of where you can get ORIGIN I saw it on E-Bay for about $62
16 - Mac Diva
I downloaded the album about a week ago (hello, RIAA) and have listened to it maybe a half-dozen times. So far, I think the songs and singing are just so-so. Maybe it will grow on me. Buy the CD? Not yet.
17 - me
Evanescence is the best group EVER!!
18 - Kristin
I think evanescence is absolutely fabulous. I'm not into the classification of music into goth, nu metal, punk rock, or any of that crap. Music is a beautiful thing, don't analyze it. I recently got a copy of Origin out of pure luck. I love it. It may not be as jazzed-up and fancy as Fallen (which, by the way, I also adore) but that just makes me love it all the more. It's purer, not influenced by what the public wants. I'm a Lacuna Coil fan as well. I think they're about half as good as Evenescence which still makes them pretty damn good. I somewhat agree about the lyrics, though. Maybe I'm just dense but they do seem to sing about a lot of nothing.
19 - Michael Guerin
how is it possible for someone not to like this band??? it is sad that some maniac goth freaks (and i'm not being racist cus i don't have anything against goth people, just the freaked out ones) who just wanna hear those pretty bad underground bands. anyways i wish everyone stopped labeling evan, it as already been said to much about this. evan were born in little rock arcansas and when they recorded their first demo everybody liked it (including the goth and metal freaks), and then daredevil came, poor evan, richer and famous but hated by a lot of people who used to liked them before. go suck cocks you maniacs, just because they aren't a mediocre underground band anymore it doesn't mean that they suck, au contraire, it means that they have been able to escape from underground and get far better and the most loved 2003 band. now talking about fallen itself: going under is a cool song, but i think amy's angelical voice is a little to twisted; bring me to life: the tragedy song, the song that made stupid people dislike evan because they got famouse, ok it's not the best in fallen, it's an ok song, and 12stones paul shoud have been replaced by the evan guitarrist john le comp who as an amazing voice; ev. fool - the worst in the album; my immortal - the band version is far better, love this song; haunted - one of the best in fallen, its such an amazing mistirious song; tourniquet - another very very good song, writen by rocky gray evan drum; imaginary - how can anyone not like this song?? the best song in fallen and for me the best song ever; taking over me - not the best one, still cool though; hello - this one makes me cry, it's so beautiful and sad, amy as a lot of courage to talk about her sister who died when she was small; my last breath - seems to be loved by many, not my favourite; whisper - another amazing song, one of the best and a great great ending to the best album ever. conclusion - buy fallen listen to it, and don't give a shit about those depressed underground people, i like some of the so called underground music but i am not a retarded or a maniac. buy origin if you can also it's as good as fallen, and don't forget about their non edited songs, i have 250 in my computer so start serching for them beacuse they are worth the effort, and of course the new songs like broken with seether the best 2004 song so far. *** [] be cool
20 - Pixie
Evanescence's album is amazing. I also saw them live and anyone who thinks Amy Lee can't sing needs their ears checked, her voclas were phenomenal.
I am also a Lacuna Coil fan but I have to say I am fed up with everyone saying Evanescence ripped them off. Unleashed Memouries is an album which has a similar sound in that it is goth rock with a chick singer. This album was released in 2001. What everyone doesn't seem to get is that Evanescence's first album Origins was released in 2000, a year before.
I'm not saying Lacuna Coil ripped off Evanescence either, I know they had earlier relases too, but really if you know the music of both bands well you will know the only similarity is genre, girl singer (with guy at some points).
Both bands rock!
ps who cares if Evanescence are goth? If you like their music you like it.
21 - Melkor
The point is not really who is goth. I mean Lacuna Coil were heavily influenced by The Gathering, who in turn were influenced by Paradise Lost. All bands have influences. When you cop a band's look and act, not to mention sounding similar that is a rip off. Evanescence ripped off Lacuna Coil, bottom line.
22 - Daniel
Erm, about the whole Christian thing... I think the only religious thing she sings is "Christ, tourniquet, my suicide." They're not a Christian band, but Amy is probably Christian. Or she just didn't know what to say instead of Christ, or she'd using Christ's name in vain. ¬_¬
Anyway, My Last Breath and Whisper ROCK MEH SOCKS! ^_^ The whole album's amazing though. As some said before, it's not just a load of music that just sounds the same. If you've ever listened to Busted's latest album, you'll know what I mean. The first Busted album was great...
Back to Evanescence- I REALLY reccomend this album! It's definitely my favourite album ever. The Millenium Choir are great, especially in Whisper. The songs would be pretty boring without them.
Seems I'm going off topic and babbling a lot sorry, so bye!
23 - Daniel
Erm, about the whole Christian thing... I think the only religious thing she sings is "Christ, tourniquet, my suicide." They're not a Christian band, but Amy is probably Christian. Or she just didn't know what to say instead of Christ, or she'd using Christ's name in vain. ¬_¬
Anyway, My Last Breath and Whisper ROCK MEH SOCKS! ^_^ The whole album's amazing though. As some said before, it's not just a load of music that just sounds the same. If you've ever listened to Busted's latest album, you'll know what I mean. The first Busted album was great...
Back to Evanescence- I REALLY reccomend this album! It's definitely my favourite album ever. The Millenium Choir are great, especially in Whisper. The songs would be pretty boring without them.
Seems I'm going off topic and babbling a lot sorry, so bye!
24 - James Marsters Slave
I have to say that Evenescence is quite the standout in the musical community. As this is the first, rock, goth or some such catagory C.D i have even bough, myself favoring artists such as Britney Spears (her earlier work) Kylie Minogue, Delta Goodrem and other similar aritists, I found myself very interested in Evanescence and find them to be very good compared to some of the rock/goth music i have listened to so as to evaluate them.
Bands such as Slipknot and Korn tend to be slightly over the top and annoying. BAnds like Blink 182 and Good Charlotte are about as rock as i can stand, but Evanescence makes a good balance of rock and beautiful, understandable vocals. Ammy Lee has a very nice voice.. :) And James Marsters is the hottest guy on the planet, search on google for him, seriously and witness the sex appeal.
25 - Andy
ugh evanescence did not rip off any bands, actually they've been out since 1999 with their 'evanescence' EP. they have aggressive music, melodic and sometimes haunting vocals, deep lyrics, all incorporated with dark piano rythms in some songs, evanescence is definitely a goth rock band, but what does it matter the style of music? all that matters is that you like a band or not, not what style it is..but come on, how can you call them christian rock? because they say christ in a song? please, if they were christian rock they would be singing about god and shit the whole time...whatever, it isnt up to me what you people think