Evanescence – Fallen

Release Date: March 4, 2003
Reviewed by Sonya Sutherland

When you think of passionate woman vocalist who comes to mind? Tori Amos, Celine Dion, Sarah McLaughlin, to name a few. Evanescence’s singer Amy Lee has a voice on par with those women.

This album could have been successful as simply an instrumental work, but the addition of both the sonic quality and the lyrical content of Lee’s contribution separates Fallen from the typical feminine emotional release. There are songs like “Hello” which is just Lee and a piano, then there are more industrial track like “My Last Breath,” and finally there are guitar driven tracks like “Tourniquet”, “Going Under”, and “Haunted,” which has a notable guitar solo. The cool thing about this record is that not only is Lee’s voice amazing, clear, and moving, the accompanying music is a perfect blend of rock and electronica. On one hand you have crunchy guitar hooks and on the other there is a mix of strings and keyboards that work to enhance the haunting quality of Lee’s vocals. So basically you’re not stuck listening to simply a woman and a guitar and her troubles.

This album is solid. Individually every song is flawless and as a whole, the album blends soft and harsh, guitars and vocals, and industrial and classical influences in a very impressive and audibly delectable manner.