'Tempered' has never been a word associated with Evanescence's music, but it applies to their eponymous third album, arriving five years after 2006's "The Open Door", quit often. Then again, this is not surprising, seeing as how Amy Lee is now the only original member of the group. So, it's actually quite interesting why they would self-title their album now in 2011, well after the blockbuster success of 2003's "Fallen" was over. Perhaps this was meant as a starting fresh move of sorts. While there's certainly no danger of Amy removing her thick mascara, she does feel refreshed in this new line-up. This could also be due in part to a change in producers, from Steve Lilywhite to Nick Raskulinecz. The latter manages to do what seemed to be impossible: retain the intent and mood of Evanescence, while at once expanding their sound and emphasizing the melodies, not the dramatics. Raskulinecz opens the group up, giving Amy's voice plenty of room to roam while the rest of the group subtly adds depth and shade to each passing song. This change of pace comes as a great relief from the oppressing murk of "The Open Door", in which the drama of Ben Moody's departure, and the the songs, was paramount. As aptly depicted by the album cover, "Evanescence" is still plenty dark and dramatic, but there are now hues of blue and purple to create the illusion of warmth. This results in what could be Evanescence's lightest and most consistent album, as there's not one sappy ballad to ruin the mood, no millennial choir to try the listener's tolerance for over-dramatization. Each song, from the excellent opener "What You Want" to the brooding mid-album cut "Sick", is driven by electric guitars and once again, Amy Lee's affecting voice. And while this is not as varied as "Fallen", "Evanescence" is a wonderful sequel to "The Open Door", as now the weight of pretention is behind Amy, which turns this record into the band's most satisfying listen since their debut.
Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. What You Want 2.
Made of Stone 3. The Change
4. My Heart is Broken 5. The
Other Side 6. Erase This
7. Lost in Paradise 8. Sick 9.
End of the Dream
10. Oceans 11. Never Go Back 12. Swimming
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