The Origin of Evanescence: Dreamy, Simple, & Oh-So-Breathtaking
Written: Dec 24 '04 (Updated Dec 24 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: The metal infused "Lies"; "Field Of Innocence"; Origin has such an airy, innocent vibe.
Cons: Some lyrically and musically weak moments, but they're few and, honestly, forgivable.
The Bottom Line: Origin is quite excellent. Many bands have demos/first efforts that flat-out suck. Evanescence should be proud of these dreamy, amazing songs.
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| blindsider's Full Review: Origin - Evanescence Movies |
Evanescence. By now, the universe seems to be all too familiar with nearly every detail of the band: There are millions of people who could recite an autobiography of the band, whether they want to or not. Why's that? To make a long story (or is it really that long?) short, their smash single "Bring Me To Life", a captivating hybrid of piano, enthusiastic guitars, and Arkansas native Amy Lee's wonderful voice catapulted them to super-stardom seemingly overnight. You've heard the "Are they Christian?" debates, you've seen how pretty Amy is, you know the whole Ben Moody story - but in the end, it all boils down to the band's excellent music. Everything has been a huge blur since then, and somewhere along the lines of that blur, more tears have streamed from your eyes from "My Immortal" than you're willing to admit (okay, okay, maybe this isn't applicable to everyone...just 99% of the world?). They haven't come down from this success since, having been extremely successful in record sales with their 2003 debut Fallen. I mean, come on - is it really typical for hundreds of reviewers to bombard websites with 5-star ratings galore? But woooooow. What a captivating album. So all along, I've wanted to know - What's this Origin stuff? Suffice to say, I now have to wonder no longer; the gift of the band's 2000 demo Origin, a compilation of too-pretty-for-this-universe melodies with the occasional fizzy guitar sound that was the underlying force of their success, is now mine for the keeping. And what a gem of a gift it is.
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HIGHLIGHTS///
(1) FAMILIAR TO FALLEN OBSESS-EES, BUT BETTTTTER HERE.
The lush, creative song "Imaginary" (a.k.a. track 7 on Fallen) appears on Origin in a different format... and in all the right ways. Lyrically, I wouldn't change a thing. Come to think of it, it's pretty perfect in all musical aspects too. It will wake up a part of you that desires to put all worries aside and escape to a place where there are no worries; it is so freaking innocent that it gives you a toothache. But wait! A painless toothache...Ahh, I'm just in love with everything about it. I read once that Amy wrote this song about her room in her old house. It's blissful, beautiful, longing, aching, yearning, and magical. So, quite honestly, it kicks the version featured on Fallen right in the face - even though the changes are subtle at points, they make loads of difference. Amy's voice soooaaaars, accompanied mainly by flawless piano. "If you need to leave the world you live in, lay your head down and stay a while," Amy suggests. Sounds like a plan to me.
(2) EVERYTHING IS JUST SO DREAM-LIKE...
The WOW factor is only increased with "Field Of Innocence", one of the most honest, moving songs I've ever had the privilege to hear. It's tranquil, dreamlike, and at 5 minutes and 13 seconds, I still don't want it to end. Ever. Don't you just love those songs that contain lyrics that you agree with...and you find yourself going "ah, me too, doesn't it suck?" or "My thoughts exactly" to? Well, personally, I'm a huge fan of such songs. It surely doesn't hurt matters whenever the song has crystal-clear, gorgeous vocals and light, breezy music to accompany it. "I want to go back to believing in everything and knowing nothing," Amy sings. The best thing is that whenever she sings that line, it's not delivered in a completely forlorn and dejected - the glimmer of hope, perhaps the particular emotion she desires to evoke most from her childhood - is actually quite present here. The seizing effect that it has on the listener really can't be sufficiently put into words.
(3) UNIQUE LYRICAL APPROACH + ENTRANCING SOUND EFFECTS? I'M DOWN WITH THAT
Okay. The first song I immediately listened to on Origin was "Even In Death". Why, you ask? My lucky friends who got to listen to this album before I did raved about this one so much that my curiosity was actually in pain. Not only that: I looked up the lyrics for this song, and...they're practically edible. One of the most admirable traits about Evanescence is that their lyrics dare to cover matter that might not be so prevalent in most popular bands' albums. "Even In Death" might creep a few people out, to be quite honest. But I LOVE IT. As soon as it starts, I get goosebumps that refuse to go away until the song's over. "Even in death, our love goes on," Amy insists adamantly. "They don't know you can't leave me - they don't hear you singing to me!" Ahhhhh. Magnificent. Those sound effects at the beginning and end will twist your face off. This song contains some of Amy's best vocals ever. While it boasts a dramatic, dark, soft sound for most of the song, the fizzy, crunchy guitars (kind of reminiscent of the solo in "Going Under" if you're familiar with that) make a cameo! Yay! Just when you were wondering where those things are, they appear, and kick just as much tooth as they do on Fallen. One can't deny that Ben Moody was/is/probably always will be an awesome guitarist - but the band has moved on, fans (well, SOME of 'em) have moved on, and ... yeah, I probably shouldn't even bring this up too much. Onward!
(4) SO FAIRYTALE-ESQUE AND CUTE
It's safe to say that Evanescence don't typically experiment with a general pop/rock ballad sound. But hey! That isn't to say they aren't capable of it. "Anywhere", for example, is just...cute. I've talked to so many people who are unimpressed with it because it's "Bland" (their words, not mine - before you leave a mean comment). I love this song though! Former Evanescence keyboardist David Hodges provides subtle accompanying vocals to Amy. While his voice is nothing to fall on your knees and marvel about, he harmonizes with Amy quite well, as they decide to leave the world behind and travel to a better place. "There's no need to tell anyone...they'll only hold us down! By the morning light, we'll be halfway to anywhere!" The verses are so dainty, and I can almost picture two innocent teens, just longing for something more, frolicking in a field in the springtime. I could almost see this as a soundtrack song to an old Disney movie, and while that might make you go "pshh, oh, so this must suck" - I don't mean that in a bad way at all. It's just so optimistic, carefree, and pretty, all without trying too hard. Gotta love that.
(5) GRITTY? AH, NOT REALLY - JUST CAPTIVATING AND METAL-ISH
Coming in second place after "Even In Death" on the 'Origin Songs I Heard The Most Raving Comments About' list was "Lies", which features a brilliant guest appearance by Bruce of heavy metal band Living Sacrifice. He's so talented that it's almost intimidating, so I almost already knew that I'd be obsessed with this song. I've had this CD for less than 24 hours, but it's probably safe to say that this is my favorite song on the album and just might stay that way for a while. Beginning with a bunch of layered "ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-AH"s by Amy, "Lies" soon finds itself being carried effortlessly through the seething verses by Bruce. This is undoubtedly Origin's heaviest song, although it really doesn't bear all that much similarity to something that would be on Fallen. "I fight for the chance to be lied to again," Bruce speaks powerfully. Amy's emphatic, at times operatic vocals work so well with his growls that sometimes give way to screams (Bliss, just bliss). It's already climbing the list of my favorite songs I've ever heard, just to give you a possible idea of how entrancing and immediately lovable it is.
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FLAWS ARE FAR AND FEW, BUT THEY'RE THERE. KIND OF
Origin is agonizingly close to being perfect, but a few things hold it back. I'll adamantly stand by the fact that I'm not being nit-picky when I say that the "yeah, yeah yeah"s that David and Amy do in "Anywhere" were a little annoying, and the fact that they're revived in "Where Will You Go (Reprise)" doesn't help all that much. Additionally, "Away From Me" is a bit lacking OOMPH somehow, and Amy cries the following eye-rollable lyric, "Take me away from me". I'd be bordering on evil if I complained about the sound quality too much - as this is a demo - but I have to bring up the fact that sometimes the sound quality isn't all too perfect. There! I didn't even mean it in a bad way; I only want these songs to sound crystal-clear when I fully intend to blast them in my CD player...
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BRISKLY WRAPPING THINGS UP
I'm actually quite jubilant that I got to hear Origin. In several aspects, it's better than anything I've heard Evanescence do. I strongly recommend that anyone who even remotely enjoyed Fallen traces the band's steps back to these songs. Not only are these tracks refreshing (because sometimes - admit it, you might get sick of Fallen eventually), they just have so much appeal. Origin isn't too try-hard; it's such a natural display of what Evanescence are capable of. Or should I say were capable of, and have only continued to be? In all actuality, I'm probably one of the last Evanescence fans who has listened to these songs. Surely there might be some people who are in the same boat I just exited, right? So, wait no longer: listen to Origin. Eliminate all worries from your mind that it will be disappointing; I simply refuse to believe that Evanescence can be a complete let-down (although Anywhere But Home came close - but that's a completely different review).
*****
TRACK LISTING///
1. Origin
2. Whisper
3. Imaginary
4. My Immortal
5. Where Will You Go
6. Field Of Innocence
7. Even In Death
8. Anywhere
9. Where Will You Go (Reprise)
10. Lies
11. Away From Me
12. Eternal
13. Listen To The Rain
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
blindsider
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 in Music |
 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Sheila Doki
Location: Sherman, TX, USA
Reviews written: 343
Trusted by: 133 members
About Me:
Somebody check my brain.
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