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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2012 17:21:20 GMT -5
What You Want- Loud, crashing entrance back into the world of rock, this first single describes who Evanescence is here and now in the most obvious way possible. No hiding behind metaphors and symbolism here, that's for sure! This particular track has loads of live energy, crackling with racing guitars, blasting drums, and Amy's voice crying out that "somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe!" while her background vocals are high and keening with "I'm everything you can't control!" in it's higher octave. Strings and piano churn along in the bridge to take us along to the song's sudden end. All in all, What You Want was the perfect way to reintroduce Evanescence as back in business.
Made of Stone- Steady, slow guitars introduce what is guranteed to be a strong song. The drums are buried, but not forgotten and most certainly still noticible. A piano is also heard, just before Amy's voice chimes in as the frontal noise of the radio-only single. A song that speaks of never being enough, not wanting to play games, and being made of stone. None of it is literal, of course, but it makes one wonder what these "games" Amy speaks of exactly are, and what isn't enough for whom. Taken to the bridge "...to tear at my heart..." we can see as always Evanescence is known for it's middle eights that tend to stand out and almost seem to be a song all of its own.
The Change- Soft instrumentals begin, shortly before Amy starts to sing. It's assumed this song will be sweet and soft, much like Good Enough, but quickly it is realized that it becomes stronger when the chorus crashes in, passionate cries that cause chills to run down the spine. No words needed, just an angelic voice with power like no other. The pattern starts again with a softer verse, but not as gentle as the intro. The bridge is at its strongest with Amy screaming "I'm about to lose my miiiiiiiiiind!" straight in your ears almost as if she already had. Very eargasm worthy, extremely powerful song.
My Heart is Broken- Piano introduces this second single, soon to be followed by Amy's unforgettable vocals and Will's infallible drum abilities. Throughout the song, the piano plays, telling a story of its own as Amy continues to sing. Guitars churn in the middle layers. The piano riffs are easy to listen to and make you want to move. Lyrically, the song is raw and honest. Simply saying "My heart is broken" with no poetic tools to string a lie to hide behind. The video doesn't do nearly enough justice to the bridge, with it's powerful "Say goodbyeeeeeeeeeeeee! Goodbyeeeeeeeee!" quickly followed by the steady, beautiful piano. A song that has been a favorite of mine for a long time, it's certainly toward the top of my list.
The Other Side- Addictive drum beats take us through the first, perhaps the best, five seconds I've ever listened to. Then the guitars join, showing Terry and Troy's skills combined. As always, Amy's voice joins in shortly after to tell the song's story in her own unique style. This song speaks of "the other side" which to most means death. Could she be referring to her sister? Or is she thinking of another "other side" which has yet to be revealed to us? Whatever the case, it's the consistent theme in this song. Another radio-only single courtesy of the label, it will not have a visual for us to confirm any theories by. The piano even manages to make itself known briefly before and during another chorus after the bridge. Great to add to live energy, The Other Side is a notable radio single not to be forgotten.
Erase This- Frenzied piano hurries under Amy's voice crying out "It's too late to change your mind" whether to the fans or the ones she loves or us fans, it's hard to determine. This song is quick, desperate, and definitely is not going to waste its time speaking out to us. Amy says "Is it so hard for you/Cause it's so hard for me/To believe that what we dreamed could ever come to life again." But what did "we dream" before? This song is rather vague and could be applied to a number of different situations. The second verse says "Burn it till there's nothing left." Burn what? Literally burn? Or just leave behind? Perhaps it's a reference to the past. Whatever Amy is trying to tell us, there is certainly a lot to consider here. I love this song for it's crazy piano riffs and the bridge. Not an immense favorite, but still is quite lovable.
Lost in Paradise- The third single of this album that has yet to get a video. Slow, mournful piano chords begin this enotional and intimate song. Already you can tell this will be a tearjerker. "I've been believing in something so distant as if I was human" Amy sings between gasps of air, as if she is holding back emotion. "I've been denying this feeling of hopelessness in me, in me." The piano continues as she sings more, speaking straight to us from the deepest, most vulnerable part of her soul. "I have nothing left" she tells us desperately. "All I feel is this cruel wanting" she lantaments. But oh, something changes as the band comes in after she says "and now I'm lost in paradise." She's trying to reasure herself of something. Her voice gains strength, heartwrenching and mournful, yet so sure of itself. Then the bridge, she throws her voice to the heavens with "Run away! Run away!" as if running would fix everything. Yet she knows, "one day we won't feel this pain anymore." Then the song ends with just her in the piano, soft and assured. This song is a whirlwind of emotion, chill worthy, cry worthy, and certainly the heart of the entire album. Defnitely has to be one of my favorite songs in Evanescence history.
Sick- Synths introduce this seemingly innocent song, until Amy declares "Embrace the silence, cause there's nothing that can change the way I feel!" As she crashes into the chorus with the guitars she yells "Sick of it all, sick of it all!" It was confirmed at some point that this song was about her frustrations on the record and how they didn't see eye to eye on her ideals, her vision of where things were going. Which would explain the "Oceans between us...I can still taste the poison..." This song makes for excellent live energy; the fans can pump their fists to the beat as they shout along, "Sick of it all, sick of it all!" A heavy, intense song filled with pure anger, it's a great outlet of emotions.
End of the Dream- Heavy, slow guitars introduce Amy's voice singing to the beat, saying she found a grave. Piano notes can be faintly heard under loud and steady drums. She sings of a bird, dying. "So go on and bring your wings." What wings? The ability to fly? Letting go? "Follow your heart till it bleeds." What is the "end of the dream" anyways? The afterlife, I'm assuming. "As much as it hurts, ain't it wonderful to feel?" Amy muses, perhaps more to herself than to the listener. The second chorus is quickly followed by the bridge, which can be easily missed if not closely listened to. Lyrically, this song has a lot of symbolism. Musically, the song can be a little forgettable. Once one of my favorites, it's dropped down to the lower half of the list mentally. However, I do like this song on the occasional listen. There just seems to be something missing.
Oceans- Once again the synths make themselves known in the introduction. The song speaks of leaving something behind, which appears to be a common theme on this record. Once again, burning is mentioned. Amy's vocals, and background "oohhs" are prominent throughout the song. It has a smooth listen and yet holds a lot of surpressed power. This song is no gentle karaoke session. "Everything that we believed in is a lie." Oceans are continually mentioned, as well as "blood" but it seems to be an allusion to the past, once again. Rarely performed live, this song is one of the better songs lyrically and is one of the underdogs of the album, that is, it is loved, just not as obviously as other songs. Synths echo into nothingness as the song comes to an end.
Never Go Back- Quick and weighted guitars, and the drums just as Amy says "Everything is so dark..." A tribute to the tragedy in Japan, waves are a common theme in this intense, heartbroken song. "But I remember," Amy adds as she rushes into the next verse. "I can feel you in my heart just shouting away 'I don't belong here...alone.'" She says to save yourself and don't look back, yet she cries out to those who were lost. Her heart is torn into pieces as she continues to brokenly sing the tale of the victims of the Japan tsunami. She put herself in their place, and spiritually connects to people who were halfway across the world through music. An emotional, heavy, and intense song. Never Go Back is probably the hardest song live next to The Change.
Swimming Home- Soft instrumentals begin as Amy sings, "Way down, I've been way down..." Her voice is gentle, sure of itself, unafraid of what it refers to. "I will hear your voice, but I'll no longer understand," Amy says. She apologizes, saying nothing can hold her. It's a spiritual song. No references to heaven, but the afterlife is a common theme. "I was looking to the sky, when I knew, I'd be swimming home." Why swimming? Why not floating? "I cannot betry my kind, they are here, it's my time." My time a reference to death. Accepting, calm, and assuring to the listener that everything will be alright. "...and nothing can hold me," Amy concludes just before there is silence.
New Way to Bleed(Bonus Track)- "Save your twisted enemy," Amy introduces bitterly. "So you might earn forgiveness." Small piano riffs can be heard. "You know your whole world is waiting," she continues, "so why can't you speak?" The question almost sounds like a challenge. The chorus speaks of something coming over Amy, something evil possibly. She is still "a slave to these dreams" and she wonders if it's the end of everything or "a new way to bleed." Sassily, she continues to the second verse. "So go and tell all your friends that I'm a failure underneath," she declares. It's almost as if she's bossing this unknown 'you' around, or being defiant of whatever orders she was given. "if it makes you feel like a bigger man," she adds. "But it's my-my heart, my life, that you're calling a lie!" It's a declaration, a reminder of the truth. Despite the challenge she wants everyone to know what is true. "I've played this game before," she realizes, "and I can't take anymore!" She's had enough and wants to break free from everything. While her vocals cry out this tale, the instrumentals still manage to make themselves known. "Freedom, freedom!" Amy says. Then the harp, a gentle, lovely instrument, briefly appears. "Freedom, freedom!" Amy says. "Give us a reason to believe again!" Believe in what, though? How unspecific. Left to interpretation, I suppose. One of my favorites on this album, it's definitely the most intense bonus song emotionally.
Say You Will(Bonus Track)- Very different musically, with Tim's influence showing. "It's taking you too long to decide," Amy says, almost irritated. She wants someone to make a choice, telling the tale of her pain over the sound of guitars, piano, and drums as she always does. "Say you will, or say you won't!" she demands. It's never good to be wishy-washy around her, apparently. "You get under my skin in a way that I like it, and I can't take anymore." Almost hypocritical on the surface here, but under the surface it's clear she's tearing away from the good feelings to face the truth. "Is this real? Is this real?" Amy cries out to whoever listens. "Like drops of rain/Against my heart/Cut through like silver/And I want to make you feel that way/And I want to make you feel the way that I do." As fantastic as these lyrics are, I have yet to interpret them as to what they mean and how they relate to the rest of the song. All in all, this one is the most different on the entire album and is a bonus track gem not to be forgotten.
Disappear(Bonus Track)- A song about losing someone to addiction, it's a subject matter only covered once before in the previous album. However, there is no 'sober' vibe thrumming in the lyrics here. "Don't you want to feel?" Amy croons, singing yet another story from her heart. "You don't even know what you've done to me," she says, implying so much with so few words. She speaks of 'wasted pain' and 'waking up' suggesting someone is outside of reality and she wants to save them. "All alone, all alone, and drowning in your past," Amy sings desperately. But are they alone, if she is there for them? And who are they, exactly? Who is she speaking to? "Holding you down till you disappear," she concludes, drawing out her voice until there's nothing left.
Secret Door(Bonus Track)- A dreamy harp plays as Amy's soft voice takes us into a world like no other. Almost like she's singing a lullaby. Imagery and poetic phrases wash over the harp's steady riffs. The gentle feelings can't help but take over as you listen to her sing "And I, I will remember how to fly. Unlock the heavens in my mind." A secret door is mentioned. What is the secret door, and what is beyond it? "Look past the end," Amy commands, and you can't help but look. "It's a dream, as it's always been." I never understood the meaning behind this song until Amy finally revealed a reccurring dream she was having, that consisted of a secret door, which inspired this song. A lovely conclusion to the deluxe album, and certainly emotions that have never been explored before.
All in all, this is the best album yet and there is something new discovered in every listen.
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