CORPORATE LINE: Having sold nearly 14 million records worldwide, well more than 6 million in the U.S. alone, with their major-label debut Fallen, Evanescence is poised to continue their meteoric rise with their forthcoming CD, The Open Door (Wind-up Records), scheduled for release October 3. The album from the two-time Grammy-winning band is defined by Amy Lee’s beautiful melodies, compelling lyrics, poignant piano and stunning vocals, fused with Terry Balsamo’s urgent, yet intricate guitar, to form a seamless, ethereal mixture that perfectly channels the band’s hard rock and classical sensibilities. The contributions of members John LeCompt (guitar) and Rocky Gray (drums) are also evident.
“Making this record has been really intense,” explains Lee. “Terry suffered a stroke last October and is still recovering, we got a new manager [Andy Lurie], and I’ve come out of a difficult breakup. But everything we’ve been through together has benefited this album.” With Fallen, says Lee, the band had much to prove while defining its identity. This time, finding a cohesive writing partner in Terry Balsamo, “we really took our time crafting this album and had the freedom to express a broader range of emotions: not just pain and sadness, but also anger and, yes, even happiness.”
Written late last year, The Open Door was recorded at The Record Plant in Los Angeles and mixed at Ocean Way Studios in March 2006. Marking the return of long-time friend and producer Dave Fortman, the album’s musical elements include a classically-infused choir and strings on several tracks, giving further color to songs of introspection, longing, doubt, self-respect and, ultimately, empowerment. The album opens with “Sweet Sacrifice,” a post-relationship catharsis that head-dives from an otherworldly intro into a hard-driving thrash of hard rock guitars and soaring rock vocals. Its first single, the mid-tempo “Call Me When You’re Sober,” reinforces the moving-away-from-dysfunction theme.
THE GOOD:
“Sweet Sacrifice” – It doesn’t diversify from Fallen and what is wrong with that? Everyone says they want something new and different and then when it is fans complain.
“Call Me When You’re Sober” – Amy Lee’s enormous voice brings a voice to rock that has been missing from the scene for years. Even a rock ballad backed by Lee never sounds boring.
“Weight of the World” – Fast then slow and then fast again with a rhythm that is always pushing forward. No matter how heavy the track, Amy Lee knows how to keep everything in check. Without her voice this would be nothing more than a generic rock song.
“Lacrymosa” – Amy Lee takes on an operatic tone that always wins my vote. It’s beautiful and dark.
THE AVERAGE:
“Lithium” – Too lethargic.
“Cloud Nine” – A completely different song from the first four with a trippier style that doesn’t sound like it meshes well together. It often sounds like two songs that were put together and eventually made into one.
“Snow White Queen” – The verses are magnificent—it’s a shame the chorus drops the ball and allows the song to fall apart.
THE BAD:
Nothing.
FRANKLY: Evanescence proves they are no one trick pony. Amy Lee is magnificent once again. Even when a song doesn’t blow you away her voice can still win you over. The Open Door is beautiful from beginning to end. Hopefully Amy Lee will inspire more great singers to venture into rock.
+ Rae Gun
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.