Evanescence - Fallen

At last, a breath of fresh air in the dismal world of goth rock. No one did, but I guess someone should have figured that the solution to making goth rock fresh and new again was to have someone of a different gender sing it. Amy Lee simply glows with appeal and earnestness on Evanescence’s debut album. What’s great about it is that it is tuneful and passionate as well as dark. What’s very important, as well, is that the darkness is not all-pervading and total. Amidst the stormy and shattered world of goth, there is hope for salvation. It is this that sets Fallen apart.

It’s also different in the fact that it’s very melodic and singable, something that a lot of other goth rock albums aren’t (that's right, I'm talking to you, My Chemical Romance). That is due mainly to Amy Lee’s voice, which is velvety and rich, like grape ice cream. That’s very different from the often abrasive and grating voices that this genre usually embraces. Evanescence takes a different tack than their contemporaries, beckoning you forward instead of dragging you along.

People have said that they are a pop band in goth clothing, that they’re just posers with a good marketing strategy. Honestly, if they are just selling something, I’d want to buy it anyway, so what does it matter? The prevalence of piano and the fact that they don’t rely on grinding guitars has made some people suggest that they’re somewhat less than a real rock band. That’s completely unfounded, in my opinion. Tori Amos with a harder edge? Maybe, but I would be more apt to think Black Sabbath with a sultry female voice.

I’m looking through it, and there isn’t a bad song on here. Each one keeps in mind that tunefulness and catchiness are just as important as emotion and forthrightness. That being said, the best are “Everybody’s Fool” and “Haunted.” The former starts off with a simply beautiful acoustic guitar, and paints a very intimate portrait of someone who is beautiful on the outside and ugly within. The latter has that Edgar Allen Poe phantasmagoria feel down perfectly, and Lee’s voice combined with the heavy guitar work spectacularly together.

What makes Fallen unique and great is the splendid combination of the soft with the abrasive. We’re getting very heavy music delivered on the back of a gorgeous voice, so gorgeous that we sometimes forget how heavy it is. I really think Amy Lee is one of the best singers of the last 10 years, not because she is particularly talented, but because she is able to create an atmosphere with her voice. Her delivery and presentation is honest and true, but not in the way that makes you squirm in your seat. Other female artists have done that to me, made me want to leave the room. Amy Lee makes me want to give her a hug. How very odd that a goth band would elicit that type of reaction from me.

Prime Cuts:
Haunted
Everybody’s Fool
Bring Me to Life
Whisper

22 Rating: 16