Evanescence (Deluxe Edition) [+Digital Booklet]

Where to start, its been 5 years since evanescence released an album, is it worth the wait? YES! The new album is without a doubt their best, open door was my previous favourite, i liked fallen but i do not understand the hype over it on this page. The songs are all brilliant this time (on the other 2 records i felt some were rushed and put their to fill the album out, although i did like all tracks on the other records) The album is exactly what you expect from evanescence, powerful lyrics, powerful music, and amazing vocals from amy. Favourite songs have to be: "Lost in paradise" - You HAVE to buy this song, its their best and its frankly to good for words, "End of the Dream" , "Swimming Home" , "The other side" , "My heart is broken" , "Made of stone" , "Oceans" and the "The Secret door." Dont get me wrong, the others songs are brilliant to but these really stand out for me as instant classic evanescence tracks. The album is amazing value and whilst i understand the lower reviews on this page, anything less than 3.5 on this album is far to harsh. It lived up to my expectations, welcome back evanescence!

This band is one of my many guilty pleasures. Their first album Fallen took up a large chunk of my soundtrack to my teenage years. They were a bridge from my love of popular music like Britney Spears ...Baby One More Time (2009 Remaster) and Billie Piper Walk Of Life, to my left of the dial listening such as Nirvana In Utero, The Strokes Is This It and Black Sabbath Black Sabbath . Which in turn, has evolved into my huge CD collection spanning most genres.

After the first listen I was very disappointed. The all too familiar drop D tuning chugging away in the background with some Aeolian piano arpeggios or `twiddles' low in the mix. There were no exceptional riffs or solo's to speak of.

My next criticism is in the production of the album. With the previous two albums it sounds like Amy Lee's voice is another instrument in the band. It blends well and sounds like a core structure within the song. On this album however it just doesn't gel at all. A visual comparison would be the CGI The Scooby Doo Live Action Movie Collection : Scooby Doo / Scooby Doo 2 - Monsters Unleashed (2 Disc Box Set) [2002] [DVD] in the live action movies. They dump him in along with real actors and although you know he's there and he's an integral part of the story, something just doesn't feel right. I am not a producer and nor do I strive to be, but I am an avid listener and my ears will pick up on it if it's not right.

On the subject of Amy's vocals, the melody's she sings are astounding, almost hypnotic. It would appear that over the years she has honed her melody creation skills and she is delivering hooks left right and centre. Some of the lyrics are cringe worthy, but that comes with the territory. For example the opening lyrics of `Ocean':

`Don't wanna be the one to walk away,
But I can't bear the thought of one more day'

It sound's like the dribble coming from an emotionally vulnerable teenagers diary. There are more examples of this throughout the album but I think one example is enough.

What should be this albums biggest downfall is in fact its saving grace. This album sounds like, feels like and maybe even tastes like (I haven't tried it) an Evanescence album. From Amy's whiney nasal vocals that shouldn't sound nice to the unimaginative guitar solos. None of it should work but for some reason it does. If you like the first two albums, you will love this album. They've taken `Don't fix what isn't broken' very seriously. This album is 5 years on from its predecessor The Open Door, but sounds like it was written and recorded at the same time.

There are a few small changes. The new drummer is superb. His double bass pedaling and crafty symbol crashes give the ear a start when the song feels like falling into familiarity. A good example of slight changes in performance and composition of songs is a track called `My heart is broken'. I think for the first time in any Evanescence song the piano mimics the vocal line in the background. I have never heard this on an Evanescence track before. This song is another example of a great vocal hook masking awful lyrics. The title of this song is sung with an absolute desperate tone while hanging out the syllables of the word down half a Dorian scale then finishing up with a descending minor second.

If Evanescence changed their style they would ultimately loose there fan base. This band is a great example of marketing. They won over a huge army of teenage fans (myself included) 8 years ago by writing songs that they could identify with, trick used by Marilyn Manson (Mechanical Animals) in the 90's, and by being loyal to the fans of that particular generation they are guaranteed sales.

In summary this album is paradoxical. It's a compilation of negative elements, such as Amy's voice and mediocre guitar riffs, fused together and produces a positive outcome. After successive listening I have come to the conclusion that this album is a `grower'. I think it would be nice in the future to hear some collaborations, like Hayley Williams (from Paramore) and B.O.B.'s song Airplanes.

First, I never expected Evanescence to release another album. Second, I never expected it to be one of the best albums that I would own!

I can honestly say that this is a cracking tour de force, and it is very true to the spirit of Evanescence. This, to me, was the most refreshing and praiseworthy thing about this album. Unlike other bands which I have followed and liked, such as Within Temptation, Lacuna Coil and even switching genre to Black Stone Cherry, who have all abandoned the heaviness and depth in their music in favour of something far more commercial and less satisfying, Evanescence have remained true to their original sound.

The sound quality of this album at first appears to be a little shoddy, but I can assure you after multiple hearings at considerable volume, it's actually pretty good. I'm not sure why it sounds a bit disjointed when you first hear it, but it soon melts into a cracking symphony of outstanding music.

Amy Lee has outdone herself on this album, her vocals are not only haunting and beautiful, they really pack a punch.

In my humble opinion, there isn't a bad song on this album, but track 4, 'My Heart Is Broken', may well be my favourite song ever! It is truly spellbinding.

A monumental effort from a much underrated and unduly criticised band.

Evanescence are back...and they ROCK!