Oh, Evanescence. Where have you been all my life? Well, at least the last four years. You released your last album, The Open Door, in 2006, toured the world with it and then left us hanging in the wings. Well, this true Ev fan isn’t mad at you; especially since you went on a journey and found yourselves right back where you started. Evanescence are bringing us a whole new round of awesomeness with Evanescence.
This new album is so incredibly good, we can forget about the past four years of Ev’s absence. All the melodies bring back the foundation of the band. While the lyrical content isn’t quite as dark as it’s been in the past, there’s still enough tragic topics to keep Ev fans satisfied. In honor of the new release yesterday I’m offering another track-by-track analysis, from a fan since Fallen:
1. What You Want | 10/10
One of the best songs and the opening single. It’s one of the fastest tracks and it speaks volumes to one of the major themes: freedom. Not only is the lyrical content loose but the drumming and guitars are incredible, thanks to veteran band members. It’s almost a mix of “Going Under” and “Call Me When You’re Sober.” Frontwoman Amy Lee told several media members it was made to be an inspirational song.
2. Made of Stone | 9/10
This has the best title on the album! But it also concerned me; I wasn’t sure which direction they’d take it in. When I first heard it, those concerns were almost confirmed. But the more I listened to it, the more I fell in love with it. It’s got a great beat and the lyrics are moving as always. I recommend this one!
3. The Change | 9/10
Amy said recently in an MTV live-stream interview that she wants this to be a single at some point. She also said she loves the chorus. I’m ambivalent about it, to tell the truth. It’s definitely a good song and the chorus is pretty unique, but the verses are my issue — just in terms of it being a grooving hit. The verses are deceptive; they’re a lot slower than the chorus. Granted, this makes it a good contrast! And the bridge is uh-mazing. So Amy, go on and give us a video for this one!
4. My Heart Is Broken | 9/10
In that same live-stream interview, Amy said this song was initially inspired by human sex-trafficking (she and her husband are part of an organization that deals with it). As always, though, she has a personal connection to it also…and so do I. My connection’s on a much less direct level, but the lyrical content speaks the same. It doesn’t have much structure to it in terms of verse-bridge-chorus repetition, but that’s Evanescence. Also, the piano is genius.
5. The Other Side | 10/10
My favorite song on the album! Certainly the best lyrics of them all. Amy gave us a snippet of this song about a month ago on MTV and from the minute I heard it, I knew I’d love it. It hasn’t disappointed either! The verses are simply incredible the way the beat flows and the chorus is more dramatic than any Ev chorus I’ve heard (“Counting the days to meet you on the other side / I will always be waiting…”). If they were to release another single right now, it should be this.
6. Erase This | 9/10
Amy confessed that this song almost didn’t happen because they couldn’t get it right lyrically. I’m so glad they did in the end! I’ll admit, the lyrics do seem like they took some work to get to flow. But this song has the best beat on the album! Not even “The Other Side” has a better beat than this one. The guitar and drums flow so well with the piano and it moves so quickly you’ll be at the second bridge before you know it.
7. Lost In Paradise | 9.5/10
This is almost a mix of “Breathe No More” and “My Immortal” but with better imagery. I feel like I’m running along on a beach with the sun setting or something…it just puts you in the mindset of paradise. It starts off with Amy on the piano, then the guys come in with their instrumental strength and blow the beat wide open. Amy said she was initially just writing this song for herself. She says it’s the most personal on the album for her…and that says something because they’re all close to her heart.
8. Sick | 9.5/10
Anyone who thinks Evanescence isn’t hard anymore can kiss this track’s ass. The lyrics aren’t the darkest I’ve ever heard, but they’re not for your five-year-old little sister either (“Sick of it all, sick of it all / They don’t understand how / Sick we are, sick we are of this bottomless pit of lies”). The guys also seem to come through the hardest in this track; there’s almost no piano from Amy at all.
9. End of the Dream | 7/10
This is another one like “The Change”; it’s good, but not great. The beat is cool, but lyrically it’s just in the category of all right. There isn’t much structure here either, verse or otherwise. Amy sings this one strong, but there are much better songs on this album. The title is awesome, though!
10. Oceans | 8/10
I confess, I expected a little more from this song just because of the title. But it’s an awesome song! The chorus is strong and the verses are melodic and structured. It makes it easier to learn the songs when they’ve got at least some formation to them. But a little more sea imagery would’ve been cool…I really loved it when I heard a major theme on this album would be the ocean. But I still love this one.
11. Never Go Back | 8/10
Amy said this song was directly inspired by/written for Japan’s earthquake and tsunami disaster earlier this year. Listening to the lyrics, it’s clear that’s true. It wreaks of a disastrous occurrence (“The only world I’ve ever known / sleeps beneath the waves”). The beat seems quick and martial arts-like almost as well.
12. Swimming Home | 8.5/10
This one has no guitar or drums whatsoever. It’s just Amy, piano/synthesizers and vocals. The beat flows so perfectly your body will automatically sway along. The lyrical content is interesting too; it’s about being otherworldly and embracing the part of yourself that’s different. Probably not tour-worthy since it isn’t fist-pumping, but it’s enough to move you.
And don’t forget about the four extra songs deluxe version. “New Way To Bleed” has some amazing drumming, “Say You Will” has a catchy chorus, “Disappear” speaks of saving a friend from themselves and “Secret Door” is eerily beautiful with a very slow melody.
Regardless of what people think, Evanescence is back. Fans will surely recognize the hard work that went into this album and know that Evanescence is a unit now. Hopefully with the great music they have they’ll tear the country apart on their upcoming fall tour. Check dates here!
Best Beat: “Erase This”
Best Lyrics: “The Other Side”
Best Title: “Made of Stone”
Best Theme: “My Heart Is Broken”
Most Addictive: “The Other Side”
Best Song: “The Other Side”
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