Music Review: Evanescence "My Immortal"

http://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Evanescence/dp/B000089RVX/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1362334266&sr=1-1&keywords=Evanescence
from JoeUser Forums

My Immortal
Album: Fallen
Year: 2004

Before I get started on my usual review, I would like to thank those who nominated me for “Most Mysterious Blogger.” It was a pleasant surprise to see Sunday night. I didn’t realize I had made an impression on people here.

While at the mall, I observed some teenagers talking in a small group. Dressed alternatively and goth-like, they were near the Hot Topic store. A trendy girl walks into the store and they snicker. “What is she going in there for?” However, the irony escapes the alternative-goth kids. Goth is mainstream now. It’s not shocking or controversial. It’s profitable. Evanescence proved it recently by winning a Grammy for Best New Artist.

Aimed at teenagers, Amy Lee is being marketed as the poster woman for alienated teenage girls who hate pop music and dress in black. The new single, “My Immortal” is about how a former friend’s memory won’t leave her. Accompanied by a piano, a sullen Amy Lee sings, “I wish that you would just leave/’cause your presence lingers here.” Heavy on the ghost metaphors, “My Immortal” wants to be a supernatural, somber ode to a broken friendship. However, like the “ugly girl” in teen movies as “She’s All That,” it’s much too pretty to be taken seriously as such.

But the prettiness is mostly due to the piano arrangement and Amy Lee’s voice. The piano is the only instrument used on the song until the bridge. It’s still a rock song and the band has to swell up at one point, which puts it into power ballad territory. However, the band section seems tacked on. It’s like it’s there to remind the teenagers that it’s still an angry rock song and not a cheesy Celine Dion ballad.

Amy Lee’s voice is sweet and clear, not raspy as expected for a rock singer. She is the Christina Aguilera of goth pop, but without the revealing outfits. It’s a safe voice to sell sadness. She doesn’t screech or yell, but sing on key. Teenage listeners would do best listening to PJ Harvey’s “Down By Water” or Liz Phair’s “Divorce Song.” It would do something Evanescence can’t: provoke a reaction.

For price, tracklisting, and other album information please visit Amazon.com.

evanescence
3,852 views 15 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
goth is mainstream... it seems that no matter what the genre, there is some group or artist that will cross over somehow...

Mercy Me with "I can only imagine" i've heard it on pop, easy listening, and country... (it's a great song)

you're right that Evanescence made Goth go mainstream...

"Man of Constant Sorrow" came out of Bluegrass left field to become a gigantic hit...

Faith Hill and Shania Twain have "crossed over" from country to pop...

so is it true that great music can move mountains and cross boundaries?

what's crazy about it is that once it goes mainstream, the hard core fans of the applicable genre generally turn their backs on it.

ie. Mettalica lost fans after the "Black Album"
Country fans started running Faith Hill's name into the mud when she crossed over
even Pearl Jam was "alternative" when they first came out... then when everyone started listening to 'em and liking 'em, the 'alternative' music fans turned their backs...
etc etc...

it's really all kinda irritating to me. I say when it's good, it's good... who cares what genre it is?

i know this reply is kinda choppy, cause my thoughts are jumbled tonight... anyhoo, i think ya'll get the idea
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
"Goth is mainstream now. It’s not shocking or controversial. It’s profitable"

amen to that brotha...it makes me laugh to think they think they're original...

And imajint, it irritates me too. I get called a poser all the time for enjoying mainstream music, or for enjoying ALL the genres....grrrrrr...

Trinitie
Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
it's all good Trin... let's be 'posers' together
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
posers haven't heard that in years. I don't know about everyone else but evanescence reminds me of no doubt or a version for this era. I think she has a nice voice and they have different styles ahh n/m
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
I could think of no one else I would enjoy being a poser with more.

<~~~ that's us being extremely cool.

Trinitie
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
HOW DARE YOU SAY EVANESCENCE DONT PROVOKE A REACTION, THEY DO. SO DONT GO SPEAKING LIKE YOU KNOW EVERY FAN OF EVANESCENCE AND KNOW WHAT THEIR EFFECTS ON PEOPLE ARE U KOOOTHIYA
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Dusk:
It would do something Evanescence can’t: provoke a reaction.


Evanescence's My Immortal does provoke an emotion for many deployed military members and their families. Listen carefully to the lyrics and consider them from that particular perspective. I can't hear the song without bawling my eyes out.

PS - Regardless of what I think of Evanescence specifically, I do feel that Amy Lee has a beautiful voice that brings a soft, wistful quality to the songs she is featured in.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
She has a nice voice....but its all homoginized once the record labels take artists "Big time". This isn't real goth music. Real goth music scares the shit outta 99% of the people who like Evanescence. Bauhaus Perhaps? Christian Death etc. etc etc. Personally i can take the genre or leave it. If you like Evanescance...that's cool...but don't even try to lump it in with the real stuff.

And just so you all know, The guy who produces this band is the same guy behind Creed. The (thank god...no pun intended) defunct "jesus lite" metal band. I see a marketing pattern here...how about you?
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Texas Wahine, I'll have to listen to it again. I think it's a very pretty song (and even made it onto one of my mix CD's) So yes, I'll keep that in mind.

thatoneguy, I didn't know that the guy producing it was from Creed. That is interesting. It's becoming a niche market now - rock music for people who really don't like rock music. It has positive lyrics (check) and a adult contemporary beat (check.) However, when they first came out, Amy Lee and Ben Moody made sure to say how drunk they got after shows and how they were not a Christian band.

When I heard Creed broke up, it was like an early Christmas gift. I dislike Scott Stapp and his Jesus complex.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
it provoked a reaction for me! it helped me through my mums death, my sisters operation, my friends suicide attempt, my moving house fifteen times , and of course through numerous moodswings, embarrassment and general anxieties. I think you can only appreciate what evanescence created when you can relate to it. And it doesnt sound like you did your homework too well either. Oh and dont try and label evanescence. You cant. Theyre unique and different, and dont have boundaries to stay in. So stop trying to stamp out their right to individuality. Amy Lee has been my role model since i was ten. Im only thirteen now but im pretty sure iv heard everything evanescence have ever released, and whats more learnt it by heart. Amy Lee inspired me to take up piano again, and have more confidence in the outfits that i used to get teased about. But no one cares anymore. Its just me. And i feel more combfortable than iv ever felt in my life. Thats thanks to evanescence, its also thanks to them that i dont need to panic or scream and shout anymore. I can just go upstairs and play 'hello' on my keyboard. I heard that it was about amy lees sister who died. Well it got me through my mums death four years ago. So id just like to take this oppurtunity to thank amy lee, john leCompt, will boyd, terry balsamo, rocky gray and yeah-ben moody, even though he left, he is still responsible for part of evanescences creation, for helping me face everyday with a smile, a stud belt and a fairy clip in my hair.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
wow, harsh. Georgie you are so right evanescence are shit wicked. And the ARSE WIPE who wrote this crap can fuck off. He obviously had his head too far up his arse to provoke a reaction.