Comments
My Imaginary? ....eh? ;)
Gah! The *L* word!!
TOUCH MY MONKEY..TOUCH HIM!!! -sprockets...n/m
Compared to Linkin freakin' Park? C'mon, Doug. With such amazing songwriting coming from Evanescence you've got to shoot a lot higher than that.
And as much as I like Rocky/LS/Soul Embraced, I think a mention, at least, of the other band members would be appropriate. And getting the song titles right as well might help. There's "Imaginary" and there's "My Immortal."
HM's a great magazine. I know it can produce more informative and accurate reviews than this.
That was a great review.. Minus the part where you compared Evanescence to Linkin Park, or where you just mentioned one band members name, or where you screwed up the title of the song's..Which leaves, let me see, just the title of the review worth reading a second time through. I wish more people could be more misinformed about a band when they have to write a review on the matter, such as yourself. I say we confuse the mainstream media fans even more, shall we?
While I agree that the linkin park comparison wasn't "cool". Let's not start stoning Doug over a simple mistake in a song title. Geez. Grow up.
"A simple mistake in a song title"? Isn't it a reviewer's job to KNOW the song titles they are talking/writing about? We're not stoning anyone here....we're only asking for some accuracy in reporting.
c'mon, that review was horrible. linkin park is the worse band ever, can we get more mainstream, anyone from living sacrifice should never be lowered to a linkin park level.
Linkin Park doesnt compare at all to Evanescence... and Doug you're from Wind-up right? You should KNOW the band then right? Well that's great... how come you don't know their song titles then? My Imaginary? Good job... all the fans can tell that you are a true reporter... do your research!
Awww!!! c'mon, what's the big deal anyway? Everyone knows that HM are a big bunch of posers including Dougie V * himself. But is HM mag whacked? no it isn't, it is a great mag with great articles. but yes, i do enjoy bashing Doug once in a while for being a poser.
*(if he can compare Evanescence to Linkin Park, he won't mind me comparing him to some imaginary rapstar wannabe)
"Can someone get me a ladder? The scenesters are trying to crucify Doug again"
Hey, I am just happy that you reviewed Evanescence! They have been one of my favorite bands ever since Origions came out, I am so excited to have everyone else in the world get to hear their PERFECT music!
Wow, whata bunch of whiners, eh?
-Micah
How come I know so many of the names here? Oh yeah. That's why.
HM posers!? I think not! HM was covering things cooler that you are when I still had snot coming out of my nose...which was yesterday, ahh, ummm...nevermind.
Hey! Though the review was awful, the band is great. Thanks for giving them attention!
The review, the band, and Doug are all great. The Linkin Park statement is forgiveable. It's a ballpark reference based on the dynamics of their most popular song. Anyone who denies that "Bring Me to Life" does not sound a little like Linkin Park has issues. Not once does Doug call them Linkin Park wannabies (which he WOULD have done had they been so). Their are many facets to the band, many of them are listed in the review. Don't get caught up on just one.
C'mon Doug, Linkin Park? YOu have got to be kidding me
can someone tell me how you pronounce the band name?
thanks.
peace.
Evan - like the male name
S - as in the alphabet letter
ence - like the end of the word independence
If you still don't get it try going to webster.com and looking up the word. They have a nifty verbal feature for each word in their dictionary.
Doug,
I'm perturbed by the apparent favorable written review and the "Dodgy" score that was posted by you in the magazine for the Evanescence album. The two seem to contradict eachother.
I bought this CD last night on a whim. I'm pretty happy with it. Ohh yeah and give Doug a break, he's cooler than you.
This is retarded. You people are complaining about comparing this band to Linkin Park--mostly, from what I can tell, because you think LP are a bunch of mainstream sellouts.
HELLO?!?!? THIS IS EVANESCENCE!! The dude from LS goes to a band with bad goth vocals and rap-metal tendencies and that's somehow not mainstream or selling out? Have you listened to the radio lately? Evanescence is all over it. And that song SUCKS.
Now, for the record, I like Linkin Park (guilty pleasures, what can I say?) so I don't think comparing a band to them is a mortal sin--but I've heard the disc and the comparison is definitely apt. Evanescence is totally unoriginal and only getting hot because it's a female vocalist (hints of Kittie, anyone?).
It's ironic that you're somehow trying to defend and say Evanescence is somehow on a higher plane than LP when they're both right in the radio mix. Anyway, that's my $.02.
I like Evanescence. Is fallen worth the $9.95 it seems to be selling for? OH YES IT IS! It's great. I've always liked bands like Nightwish, After Forever, Therion, etc. I like female lead vocalists in this manor. And just imagine all those teenagers who go buy music because it's on the radio! They are buying music with serious Chrisitan undertones.
unlike some people who have commented on this disc, i disagree with most everyone. i hear slight LP influences. however, the band has been around longer than the aformentioned 'mainstream' band. they set out to make a sound that was original to Little Rock. it just happens to be that they were actually picked up by a label. as for the kittie reference? totally off base... i hear nothing resembling kittie on their disc. i suppose, however, for the record, that if living sacrifice or soul embraced were to come to town on near days to evanesence, i would definetly go see LS or SE instead... i also think that their lyrics do contain a depth that is lacking sometimes in LP songs... but that's just me...
After listening to one of Evanescence' songs on MP3.com a while back. I decided to order the new album on the strength of it. I'm still waiting for it, but while waiting I thought I'd check the site and the review. What disturbs me is the lack of Christian content. From the site I found nothing (if it was there it wasn't obvious) and the review gives no hint of the lyrical quality. The fact it was in HM would make me guess it must be Christian - But is that so non-Christians who don't go via HM will not realise it's Christian until it's too late and thus protect the commercial interests of the album? I am not from the US (I'm from the UK), so there's no need to brand me as some kind of extremist; I am merely a bible believing Christian who believes that bands have a unique opportunity to present the gospel to an audience who need it more than a good CD. Why can't bands simply nail their colours to the mast? (not to the fence!)
All of the songs sound very similiar. There is a huge lack of creativity . The production of the record tries to fool you into thinking the album has deeper layers than it really does. Strip away all of the effects and polish and you have just another generic rock band who happens to have a female lead singer.
Next...
Before it came out i suspected there was something about them. Love the album. Wind-up scored big with Evanescence..in my books. Always looking for good music.....bands like this are influencing the main stream culture...12 Stones, Chevelle, P.O.D., Blindside,....WHAT ARE WE DOING TO MAKE A DIFFERANCE?
it's awesome to see rocky in such a big group. LS is one of my fav bands and i hate to see him leave. as for evanesence being compared to linkin park...they are MUCH better...LP is horrible in my opinion...i have known about evanesence for over a year now. i met their former keyboard player, david hodges at my school, mid america bible college in oklahoma city. he was dating a girl from there and told me they had just been signed. and at the time there were only 3 members, but he let me listen to the original demo(which i do have a copy of) and i was impressed..its good to see they are acutally gettin big...God bless you all..<><
they remind me a lot of Wedding Party.. only not as good.
peace.
doug, where have you been,man? try checking
out the band still breathing! absolute brutal
all thru this c.d. rocky has posted another
victory for heavy music. this is truly the next
level, and i believe it is the beginning of a tidal
wave for our style of music. but i gotta say, we
all could have done without the graphic image
of rocky in spandex.. shudder!!!
After a couple of listens and initial critiques, i was hooked! The album is well produced and sounds incredible. I like the use of real strings and choirs. IT gives the music depth. The music itself is not so much creative as much as it is a creative mix of styles. You take a very good female pianist/vocalist and have her sing and play along with a heavy emo/gothband with a touch of electronica, Fuse it with pop melodies so we can all sing along, and vuala! Any one who knows Linkin Park well will think that every Chorus sounds like Linkin Park. This comparison is understandable, but not fair to either band. The similarity comes from either the fact that they both like the big emo choruses, or EvaneScence's producer knows what currently sells. Everyone is doing the big Chorus thing right now. Even Disturbed and Godsmack have adopted this idea. I love Amy Lee's voice. She doesn't do the annoying fake virbrato thing! Ben Moody's riffs are interesting. He does a good job of mixing chunky riffs with powerfull melodies. The rest of the band does a good job. I am not that impressed with musicianship as much as i am the delivery. Infectious, though i am not sure why at times. It does get repetative after a few songs. the cure for that is to start listening to it in the middle and you will see that the rest of the album is just as good. The lyrics are clearly christian, but i am sure there will be those who say they are not bold enough. Some people just don't understand symbolism! The thing that makes it fresh is the theatrical air it has. At times it sounds like a musical. Notably in "Bring me back to life," when Paul McCoy and Amy Lee are trading vocals in the last verse. The Ballads have a strong dramatic appeal as well. I think if they build a good following with this album, this band has the potential to last a while after they drop out of the spotlight! God Bless Our troops! Much love!
The lyrics are like those of a secular group.... man if you want a cd w/ these kinda lyrics... go get Linkin Park, atleast the lyrics make sense and you can understand them better(atleast to me, but a goth would find the lyrics nice on Evanescence w/ phrases like, I WANNA DIE!)
This band is horrible. They are unoriginal and have only ripped of an italian metal band. Lacuna Coil has been doing the same type of thing for about 5 years now and so it better. LC doesn't attempt to be overly operatic and the guy vocalist actually sings or yells like a thrash metal singer, not like some retarded white rapper. I have heard this band and they aren't that bad, but they deffinitly don't deserve the credit they are getting.
While I love the sound of this group, I'm not going to go out and buy the CD. Why? Frankly, the lyrics are not Christian and are downright negative. There is one song where the singer talks about God very briefly, but overall the lyrics of this album are very down, depressing, and without the light that I would expect a Christian to show. So much talk about death, pain and ending songs on that note. As a hard music fan, I totally understand passionate emotional music which expresses some pain, but as Christians let's see the bright side too. God is great and is our hope. Got to admit I love the singers voice though, it's beautiful.
GARY-STATION 20 is a moron..... The mag has had a couple of articles on still breathing, including a spot in their feature on women in rock last january. Speaking of still breathing, does anybody know who the new vocalist they got is?? Someone told me she used to be in the pink daffodils.... I couldn't seem to find much about either.
But as far as evanessence goes, it's music. I treat it like I treat POD. If I take it in one or two songs at a time I LOVE it. They ROCK. If I try to listen to the whole cd I find it annoying.
lyrics?? they aren't bad.... torniquet has decent lyrics... DOn't gripe.... the lyrics are definitely not bad.... so what do you have against them??
This cd is awesome!!! I first heard it with a friend and I bought it the next day. Chic bands rock!!!
Evanesence isn't a "Christian" band so much as a "Christian topic band" messagewise; ala Lifehouse, creed, Project 86, Stretch Armstrong, and some P.O.D. songs. the main purpose it to get a secular audience to look for God, (Seek and you shall find.....) rather than the "soapbox approach" or bands like Dctalk and Audio Adrenaline. (Nothing wrong w/ either one.) Musically, they're amazing; but with my being a fan of ska, rap-metal, and all other various styles of music one should expect that. I also appreciate musicianship when I see it; no matter what style you play or what band you play in, and Evanesence has plenty.
Evanesence isn't a "Christian" band so much as a "Christian topic band" messagewise; ala Lifehouse, creed, Project 86, Stretch Armstrong, and some P.O.D. songs. the main purpose it to get a secular audience to look for God, (Seek and you shall find.....) rather than the "soapbox approach" or bands like Dctalk and Audio Adrenaline. (Nothing wrong w/ either one.) Musically, they're amazing; but with my being a fan of ska, rap-metal, and all other various styles of music one should expect that. I also appreciate musicianship when I see it; no matter what style you play or what band you play in, and Evanesence has plenty.
Gotta love those double-posts!
I think it's unfair for people to hear ONE song off the album ('Bring Me To Life') and label them Linkin Park wannabes. For one thing... that song doesn't sound all that much like LP... it's much more diverse. Not that I don't like LP... but I can't compare the two.
As for the lyrics... they may not be blatent and easy to understand-right-off-the-bat Christian lyrics, but they are Christian. They are deep and use a lot of imagery that may be a little dark... but have any of you heard Project 86? They are probably one of the best Christian (or Christian-topic... whatever) bands out there. P86 is very dark, but if you get into their lyrics you'll understand the message. Life is not all sunshine and daisies... and I think bands like this reach out to the people that feel like this and trying to show them that there are others that feel the way they do and that there is a way out.
I'm not trying to make anybody mad... just giving my two cents.
I must say I find it amusing that everyone reacts so violently against saying good things about Linkin Park. First time I heard LP, I thought it was original, but marketable. Six months later, I laughed when my roomate called them N'Syncin Park. Now, I'm a bit tired of the angst, and of the music - they sound the same to me as a goo goo dolls song - I've heard a million times, it's just music. I bet that all of you naysayers would love Linkin' Park if they were an undiscovered band from your hometown and not so hugely famous as to be considered a pop-cultural fad along with anyone else who breaks the top 40 in record sales. I laugh whenever people scream about how they hate sell-outs - do you know any musicians who don't want to make at least a living and maybe more playing and writing music that people like?
As someone who works and lives in Hollywood, I hate to burst your bubble, but it's all about marketing - movies, music, all of it. If making money and music people like is selling-out, then probably every band ever signed to a label would qualify. Not to negate artistic and Christian passions, but paying the bills doing what your passionate about is always a nice add-on. I only know one band who set out to support itself by raising money from donors - 100portraits.com
That aside, I've only heard Evanesence's one song on KROQ and immediately wondered if they were Christians. I'm bemused and pleased to hear that a former member of Living Sac (the heaviest band I've ever - and still - like) is a part of the mix. My second reaction was that they were a logical marketing step after the success of the so-called 'Nu-Metal' genre - ie: Linkin Park, Disturbed, System of a Down, P.O.D. and all the other heavy bands popular right now. Sound shallow? Unfortunately, it probably is. But this is the entertainment business we're talking about. Art seems to be happen in spite of the business which supports it, rather than because of it.
Overall, I am glad to see bands who love Jesus - Lifehouse, POD, Chevelle, P86, Sixpence, et al - getting popular. I'm rooting for Stavesacre next.
alright, have any of you people who are trashing Linkin Park actually ever listened to them? Can we say "Unreasoning Hatred?" iI mean seriously, Evanescence uses THE EXACT SAME guitar settings and playing style, on like four tracks as does Linkin Park. The first thing i thought when i bought the CD and listened to it was "this is Linkin Park with Billy Gillman singing!" every reviewer i have read compares Evanescence to LP, its just the way it is. and to those who say Evanescence is unoriginal: listen to "HAUNTED" i am a music major and that it some seriously complex, original stuff.
it's funny how eager the Christian market is to embrace all these new bands with a "religious" slant, only to have to turn face when the bands pull the old switch and bait. I remember when Lifehouse first hit the scene. In one article they were strongly against being labeled a Christian band, then the next album is released in both markets. Now we have Evanescence to deal with. The guy says the "f-word" in an interview and their album gets pulled from the Christian market. My beef is, if it takes a person to open his mouth to find out his beliefs, then maybe the the Christian marketers should take a bigger interest in the bands they distribute. And on what basis was their album released in Christian stores? If they never professed their Christianity, then was it there actions? If that's the case, what's keeping Fugazi from being sold at the local Family Christian store? They may not be Christian, but the brotherly love they show their fans should be enough to place them on the shelves next to the Blamed or Hangnail. What do you all think?
Well, if they have problems being associated with christians, i can dig that, but using expletives & claiming that the subject content of their album is unfit for christian consumption somehow reveals a contempt for God Himself (i'm not saying this in a self-righteous, judgemental, condemning kind of way) & that's just not nice. Because we have a nice God. A really really nice God.
Oh yeah & another thing, Doug is still a poser.
marketing. From what I understand, most of the Christian music biz isn't even owned by Christians anyway - it's a large corporate system which makes money by marketing music that Christians want to buy. As much as that used to bother me, I've come to a couple conclusions. 1. God has always used people and things despite their imperfections and flaws - sometimes glaring ones. So, in as much as God has used the imperfect (and perhaps highly duplicitous Christian music biz) to enrich people's lives, I am able to celebrate it. (I'm actually really thankful for it - I'm glad I was able to grow up listening to Tourniquet and Deliverance and Precious Death and lots of other bands. If it hadn't been for the Christian music biz, I'd have been filling my impressionable teenage head with much darker messages.) Sure, it has a dark side - but who doesn't. 2. That said, I also admire bands that try to break out of that mold - that want to be true to their faith, but don't want to get pigeonholed in the christian music biz. I know Lifehouse didn't want to get billed as 'christian band' not because they don't love Jesus - they do - but because they don't want to be doomed to only be taken seriously in the comparably small realm of Christian music. But their record distributor is probably only concerned about getting their record into any venue where they think it will sell. Sam Goody or Family Christian Stores, makes no difference. 3. Ultimately, if people say things or do things that seem like 'compromise,' we have to keep in mind that we're not in a position to judge their hearts or know what their relationship with God is. Artists get misunderstood a lot - it's been that way for thousands of years. :) But in the christian music biz, a certain image is being marketed, and business demands that to keep the customers happy, artists that violate that image get pulled. (and yes, I think that image is as more about image as it is about substance). yes, there are lots of Christians in that biz that have high standards, but it seems to me as a whole that if more Fugazi records could be sold by marketing them in Family Stores, w/o offending the Christian customer base, someone would come along with enough indifference to the norms of Christian marketing to try it. I figure, celebrate when artists say true things, especially true things about God, no matter what marketing strategy they're records have been released with, and view the Christian music biz as an inanimate system capable of great good and also great duplicity. Although I've never met Doug, I have basekd in the fruits of his labor (this website, the HM tent at cornerstone, HM itself) and hey, could anyone who likes King's X really be a poser? I hope not.
amen, brotha. oh yeah, i like linkin park. so also "amen, brotha" to ryan's earlier comment about "selling out". you seem like you got your head screwed on straight, my man.
oh yeah, and doug's friggin' awesome! for all you people who are calling him a poser and criticizing his review n' such, i just have to say this: go start your own friggin' mag and talk about yo la tengo or spoon or whoever else you think is so friggin' incredible, and make no mistakes whatsoever. go ahead. try it.
yo la tengo rocks.
well, that's like, your opinion, man. personally, i can't stand them. and, if there's one thing that yo la tengo does not do, it is to rock.
I consider myself not easily swayed. Or gullible. One thing, however, causes me (sometimes) to follow the flock of the easily-believing: christian (?) bands who breakthrough the mainstream.
Enter the band Evanescence. All I knew about them is that they were receiving great accolades for their sound, gaining comparisons at times to Lacuna Coil, at times to a female-fronted Linkin Park. And for some odd reason, the CCM crowd had embraced them as their own. Rocky Gray plays drums for them even! I too started to get excited about another christian band doing it big.
Until...
In an interview to Entertainment Weekly, band members were quoted as saying: ""We're actually high on the Christian charts," said Ben Moody in the EW article, "and I'm like, 'What the f--- (expletive deleted) are we even doing there?'" Vocalist Amy Lee added, "I guarantee that if the Christian bookstore owners listened to some of those songs, they wouldn't sell the CD . . . There are people hell-bent on the idea we're a Christian band in disguise, and that we have some secret message. We have no spiritual affiliation with this music. It's simply about life experience."
Wind-Up Records actually pulled their CDs off christian stores altogether. More on that at www.roadrun.com/blabbermo...emID=11364
Why are we so hungry to take ownership of a band's message, even if it is watered-down and insipid? Why must we sing praises to P.O.D. for being so 'upfront' about their beliefs in their lyrics, when they are anything but? We are so eager to seek legitimacy so we can rub it in the world's face, I suppose. Just to show them we christians can do just as they do, be as good as they are...
I have learned one thing through all this: if the world loves what you're doing, chances are they are NOT reading it close enough. Or your message is so cammo-ed and catered to the secular crowd that it does not make a difference one way or another.
The world will hate us. They hate what we stand for. They hate the message of Christ, and those who deliver it. I hope Frost Like Ashes becomes the catalyst.
sprockets!... dance!
i saw them at uaccb in batesville ar.
They did not act as if they were christians. They cussed like there is no way other than it. The only true people in the band are ROCKY (living Sacrifice) and John.,
Amy said the f word 5 times during the concert.
They should do their own heart check.
How dare ben to be hyppocritical about what the f are we doing on the christian charts.
His message was OUR MESSAGE IS ONE AND ONLY ONE. GOD IS LOVE, Thats so hypocritical. If you dont believe me check out entertainment weekly.
PRAY FOR EVANE_
Pray that john and rocky make the rioght decision.
Why not add to the madness with my comment. I to got excited thinking that another Christian band had come to the scene to be a light in a dark place. I was sad that Ben and Amy don't seem to care much about there faith, and may even be hiding it (I don't know where they are at), but there lyrics are honest and have touched my heart. God has used them to bless my life, and draw me to his heart. I'm not defending the band, but they are presenting some profound truth of the human condition which I appreciated. This should be a lesson to all of us that just because bands are in "Christian" stores and even sound "Christian," we are called to discern the spirits. Time and Time again we are warned to be on to be on the look out. Gentle as doves, but wise as serpeants. Let us learn from where we have made mistakes and test all things and approave all things that have been tested.
just a thought... let's say Evanescence is not a band comprised of Christians - how do you think they would feel if they were reading these comments (and it wouldn't surprise me if they do sometime)? Would they want to become one of us? We sound awfully pre-occupied with vocabulary and labels.
I just read an article in the local newspaper re Evanescence (who is playing in Cleveland this Thursday). In said article, Ben Moody talks about being shocked that his band was being sold in Christian retail stores, and said that if they listened to the record they wouldn't sell it. As if his band is edgier than what is sold at your local Family Christian store! I don't think so...while I liked their record, I lost a bit of respect for them. NO WAY are they more "dangerous" than MeWithoutYou or Norma Jean or Nodes Of Ranvier; all of which can be found in the local Christian retailer in my neighborhood. They don't wanna be identified as a "Christian" band, yet I guarantee they won't turn down any Xtians who buy their records. Come down off your high horse, Ben, the band's not THAT good.
i've never read this mag before, or any reviews, just this one, and i'm a little annoyed at the bombardment of this guy for comparing to linkin park....as soon as i read that, i thought it was actually a good comparison, cuz unlike most of you, ...but like most of the real world....i only ever heard bring me to life, and frankly, i love linkin park, and if all of you simply don't like them, then most of you are jumping on the "lets hate LP" bandwagon, "cuz we think they're sellouts...."
whatever, those guys are pretty musically creative, as is what i've heard from evanessence, and both groups individuality shines strong, which is probably ironically what most of you think the opposite of, but no matter....i am a musician, there's my opinion, and don't worry, i'm sure i'll never find this site again, so dont bother with a reply.
Wow, this is one of the best bads i have ever heard, to say they were linkin park wannabees would be sayin i was a white guy(look at my e-mail address). And amy lee is so hot. God Bless you alll
i love 'bring me to life' . paul mccoy is so hot!
To anyone wondering why so many people thought that Evanescence was a Christian band, there is a reason. They said they were. I have followed them from the beginning, three CD's ago. (That's 3 total) In liner notes and thanks, they were quoting scriptures and thanking Living Sacrifice (close friends of Amy and Ben) for their ministry and how it has helped and influenced them. If anyone wants the exact wording of what they had to say, email me at hkgrafyx@hotmail.com They gave Wind-Up permission to distribute and sell to the Christian market. I comend Paul McCoy of 12 Stones for not singing with Amy on tour since all this happened. He's choosing not to support them and their denial of God. It's sad, I loved Evanescence. Oh well.
it always disturbs me a little that Christian society gets worked up over Christians affiliating themselves within a secular genre. we are called upon to be salt and light within this fallen world. i personally think its great when a Christian musician works with a secular band. Christ can do His work regardless of the vessel. and in regards to those of you worked up over the linkin park reference and doug being a poser. get over yourselves. are you out there creating a forum like this? are you trying to make an impact on this world for Christ or are you hiding behind this Christian subculture we have created? think about it.
que relations tiene tha ligth con las tinieblas....? "rocky gray whit evanescence"
I used to love Evanesence, until they renounced their Christianity. Now, I am left with no respect for them whatsoever. I admire Paul McCoy for not singing with them on tour. Any band that first claims to be christian and then renounces that to attract a larger audience is not worth my time.
I lLuv da piano part of the song ! But the song does get stuck in ure head 4 ages!!!! The video iz very kool! U gotta see it man it rocks!
Comparing them to linkin park? what the...... , ok, evanesence is horrable, they arent even a christian band, why are the in HM? and linkin park is so much better than that stupid Goth Crap that they play. her voice doesn't even fit the music and the music sucks really bad.
I think it's fabulous that everyones a music expert
(chuckle!).....think the album is refreshing...nice to hear good songwriting for a change,we are subjected to so much crap by the A&R skids in record companies these days..bands have such a short shelf life as of late,hope this one gets a chance to put out a few more projects before the ungrateful public condems them for something that isn't considered now and hip.. ..the only shame of the matter are the number of flavour of the month bands that record companies will be lining to sign to get in on their sound....simlilar to when Pearl Jam called it quits...they signed a kazillion PJ wanna be bands...can't turn on a radio now without hearing that sound...
who cares if they are Pro or Anti Christian or Muslim or whatever...holy narrow minded Batman!!,typical North American "the world revolves around me attitude"....what's that got to do with the price of cucumbers!!!....it's Twin Peaks POP music...it is what it is.....Enjoy!!
Okay, so Evanesence isn't Christian? Who cares? Does it really matter if they're mainstream or not either? If the music is good listen to it, if you don't like it, don't. Linkin Park, Kittie, they're all good. Why does it matter what's on the radio and what isn't? Everything picks up on everything. There is no such thing as the dvine individuality. If things were'nt labeled so much, we wouldn't even have to discuss this.
I heard Bring me to life @ a picknick and was told by my 12yr old son they are a christian band.
So I checked out their website and found NADA!
I checked out Bio's, interviews, links etc.NADA! Evenescence would like secular people to think they're not /and christians to think they are. Thats wrong. Can't lead someone to Christ if you don't introduce them to Him! I don't care who's in the band. By the way,who cares? Jesus & Me!
Hey, I'm glad everyone is talking! It'd be nicer without the name calling and emotion, but hey - these comment posts are for people to voice their thoughts, so way to go!
I have taken out the "My" in the false "My Imaginary" song title in the review above, and I have posted the "cover" of the advance cd that Wind-Up sent me prior to the release of the album. So, you have to cut me some slack on that one. Granted, once the album hit, I should have noticed that and gone back and updated this review, but I've been busy.
Now, I know a bunch of you guys are fans of the band and/or really like "Fallen." I wish I could like it. I wish I could have said more flattering things about it and rated it higher in HM Magazine. After all, that would have helped our public relations with the band a little (actually, we had an interview scheduled with the band way back when and they hesitated, and then when they saw the review, it came up in conversation with the publicist about the upcoming interview, which kept getting put off and put off and finally cancelled... I think Michial Farmer did a great job on his sans interview article in the May/June issue). It took some fortitude to print what I honestly felt about the album. I love gothic heavy music, and this band flirts with that, but doesn't embrace it fully, which I would've loved. "Fallen" does NOT suck...it's just not very good, in my humble opinion. That's all a review is - an opinion. Granted, it is supposed to be an "educated" opinion and you shouldn't see typo's in song titles, etc; but I've already shown evidence as to why that can happen sometimes.
No thanks for calling me names, but big thanks to all those who posted simply for posting.
Take it easy.
You people are morons, your being judgemental of Linkin Park when you yourself have so many freakin problems in your own lives. Those guys are not bad, I have listened to the cd and it is good. So screw you all. And what is that bull about evanescence and them cursing, ooh, big deal. I'm not mad, but it gets me how you people who claim to be Christians are so judgemental. There are some good secular bands out there. They all aren't bad either.
EVANESCENCE is sooo GREAT!!!! I totally love the band, and their music!
oooo~ Evan essense~ I LOVE their Bring me to life song. It certainly deals with depression.
hahahaha
These guys are badly ripping off LACUNA COIL.
Everybody here should check out lacuna coils stuff instead. Theyve been working on this sound for way longer, and to be honest youre all playing into the hands of the fastest buck mass-marketed music movement by being suckered in by this shit.
Evanescence are talented, but the girls vox are blatantly the same as Cristinas'.
It must suck to be in a hard-working band for years only to find out that someone else has just released your stuff and made millions out of it for themselves.
Expect Nu-metal versions of bands like Nevermore next, or maybe nightwish.
Fucking money-grabbing bastards
U people shouldnt be listening to sissy music like Evanescence, or LP. U should listen to Dimmu Borgir.
uhhh.... hmmm... they sound pretty close to linkin park to me... dont rip my head off, but Evanescence has become a band that is just like linkin park, MAINSTREAM... and so... in other words... dont waste your time or money on them.
Sorry folks (well, not really) but I hafta say Evanescence=Linkin Park w/ chick. And not just b/c of 'Bring Me to Life,' tho that is a blaring example. The cd is just boring. All the songs are the same. During the verse, do some little lo-key thing like we think we're slightly industrial/goth, then for the chorus strum 3-4 chords, rinse, and repeat. But hey, if you like that sort of thing, more power to ya. You'd prolly hate what I listen to. While I do enjoy the mixing of styles, like they do a bit, it has to be done right. For example, they bring in some red and blue. But, instead of getting purple, something totally different, we just get red and blue next to each other. But it is a very nice red and blue. It's just that I got tired of those shades years ago.
HEY HM MAGAZINE, WHY DO YOU LET PEOPLE CUSS ON YOUR WEBSITE? I'M SURE THE OWNERS OF FAMILY CHRISTIAN BOOKSTORES WOULDN'T BE TOO HAPPY!!
NOT TO MENTION GOD, SORRY BUT I JUST DONT UNDERSTAND, YOU GUYS ARE SUCH A GREAT MAGAZINE, DON'T LET PEOPLE'S WORDS RUIN THIS.
I'm starting to believe that Wind-Up is purposely putting out bands that CLAIM to be Christian simply to cause controversy and publicity in order to increase album sales, etc. Evanescence is a marketing decision. Plain and simple. Along with Creed and all the other Wind-Up clones. Also, as far as musicianship on the record, it's mediocre at best. I checked out the guitar tabs on the album, and the whole thing consists of 3 repetitions of the same chord at a slow pace, then changes the chord and repeat. This is a generalization, but I'm merely pointing out the fact that Ben Moody is a poser. lol Sorry, guys. I like Evanescence, but if techincal music is your bag, shop somewhere else. By the way, Ben, if I ever see you on the street, I'm going to lay you out on the ground, you hack! Amy, I love you and hate you. heeheehee I'm also pretty pissed that all OUR great metal bands are breaking up and going to pop metal bands. I.E. Rocky to Evanescence, along with one of the dudes from Mindrage, AND the singer Jason(?) from LS going to P.O.D. Enough with the wuss metal guys, you can do better than this. I guess all these guys decided to bow down to the almighty dollar....*sheesh Opeth is THE GREATEST METAL BAND IN EXISTENCE! later....
Duh, Without overanalyzing it I'm just a kid who likes Evanescence's music and also likes their CD. I mean is that ok? Isn't that what music is all about anyhow? These guys are trying to make a living just like everyone else and if their music gets lots of airplay then thats all the better for them. Or would you rather they be driving around in some beat up old van eating PB&J sandwiches but remaining "pure" and not "sold out"? You guys ought to be praying for them that they don't compromise in their walk with the Lord considering the enormous temptations they are probably faced with. Oh by the way, I like Linkin Park too. I'm really sorry about that. I guess I'm not kool! They are one band in the world whose lyrics are fairly clean and they don't have a party lifestyle. You guys need to lighten up just a little. Just listen to the music!
HEEEEY this album rock ass love amy and band i can't wait for the next ablum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey this album is pretty awsome.
But I have a question.
In Bring me to Life... who does the male vocals???
I've been told he is not and never was in the band, and has his own band. Id love to find out who they are casue he has an amazing voice and he's pretty sexzy too....
Not to take anything away from Amy cause she has one of the best voices I have heard in a LONG time
I heard that they are claiming to be a secular band now. is this true???? if so, they'd be sellouts and i couldn't stand to listen to them anymore
hey hm magzines im a great evanescence fan . i wonder if u can send amy lee's email addy to me at hasham_khan80@hotmail.com.im a great fan of her music .She quite gifted and different from the other singer she aint a sell out like britney and avril there just stupid ho's
I happened to find this forum through a random search through google... So I am merely a voice in the wilderness, but luckily for me this being the free country it is I get to make my oppinion known. In the earlier responses to this review I saw a good deal of Likin Park bashing. That confuses me. Likin park has made an astonish acomplishment of creating several popular rock songs and gained a very large following entirely with out the use of innapropriate material. No foul language, no blatant refferences to gratuitous (ok I cant spell get over it) sex and over all have managed to express thier anger and pain in a manner that can offend very few. As a parent of very young children this is a trend that I can only hpe might continue in mainstream media. So why does Linkin park and Evanessence come together ? Well to be hnest Evanessence also manages to portray a an immage that very few "conservative" parents are going to have a problem with.
As a fan, I would love to see Linkin Park and Evanessence come together to make a couple of songs. Combine the dramatic epic darkness of Evanessence together with the driven beat and beats of Linkin Park. The result can only be music that would cause both bands to generate a fan base that I believe could push both of these bands to the staying power of the major rock bands like metalica and Aerosmith. (payattention anyone who missed it, I didn't compare the bands to matallica I just said I think that they can be as big) I think that both of these bands (Linkin Park and Evanessence) have a great deal of potential that we will be seeing for a long time.... but if they were to combine their styles for a song or two??..... mmmmmmmmmmm yeah... that would be big
Thenks for all the comments. I had a co-worker mention to me that these guys were a Christian band because he knows that I'm a Christian and thought I might like them. I then heard "Bring Me To Life" on the radio and loved it. At their website, though, I found nothing to indicate they were Christians. So, I turned to HM. Who else could give me the low down. And low down it was when I read through these comments. Very low down. Thanks for the heads-up on where these guys (and gal) stand in their convittions. I won't be adding this one to my collection. JMO.
Did ben Moody really leave the band. I heard he left last week and is making a movie
question im kinda of confussed are they really christian do they love jesus and want to see the best out of people by reaching out to lost hurting people like me to this lost generation or is it my imagination. becuase the day i herad their music the tears ddint stop to stream down my face. do you think they really care or are they too going to fall into the trap of the almighty dollar or fame and fortune? and worship themselves or the devil. yeah i thought they were all possessed in that one music video. and on one of the videos jumping off a buidling and commiting suicide or saying you want to die and then speaking in unknown chant on one song ? come on now what kind of music is this? R they for REal about Jesus or is this just a front? i know i will have oppurtunity to meet them and work with them becuase my school and the people i work with decided to get them here. maybe its destiny being put forth in motion becuase me being a god fearing artist they have accomplished only of what i wished and hoped to accomplish. they sing like me and write like me. i hope and pray to god they are real i think im psychic or something becuase i dreamnt of them before they ever existed. please let me know what you think? thanx!!
i herd that ben left the band aswell, but i didnt hear the bit about him making a movie...can anyone tell us if this is true???
YO EVANESCENCE IS, LIKE. . . . . . AWESOME! whoever doen't like them 4 their renounced christianity is soooooooooooooo out of it! They rock!
im from little rock and evanescence was a good band and they were amazing live, they use to pray onstage. Ive seen the quite a few times but when they obtained fame, they rejected christianity and the fan base that were loyal to them .
I stumbled across this site while looking for music similar to godsmack and evanessence. After reading the comments posted I couldnt help but post one myself. I think evanessence has a great sound, lyrics ect. as does linkin park, i dont really see a comparison in the two, but hey, thats me.. I also dont by any means see anything christian about either of the groups. I personally like the lyrics, and sound of their music, (both groups) however if i had to choose a favorite I would say evanessence, and i must agree, btw.. they do sound alot like Lacuna Coil , and i like the sound of them too.. Its nice for a change from all the hip hop, rap, thrashy hard core heavy metal bands/groups..
Oh ya forgot to add this........ One shouldnt base an entire opinion after listening to just one song.. The other songs on the Cd are also very good surrender... omg great song!!!!!!
Now, what in the hell.
I normally never get mad about this kind of stuff. I Found this site looking to see who mixed Evanessence's record.
How can you people even SAY Evanessence is better than Linkin Park. WTF WTF WTF.
Look at the lyrical difference!
Linkin Park:
Can't you see that you're smothering me
Holding too tightly afraid to lose control
Cause everything that you thought I would be
Has fallen apart right in front of you
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertow just caught in the undertow)
And every second I waste is more than I can take
I nabbed this off of a song I was listening to.
Evanessence:
When you cried I'd wipe away all of your tears
When you'd scream I'd fight away all of your fears
I held your hand through all of these years
But you still have
All of me
Now... HELL come on. Evanessence probably doesn't even know what an undertow IS.
Look it up morons. That one word is more lyrical than 4 lines of Evanessence.
"I fight away all of your fears"...wtf... I'm so sure she does >.>
Screw Evanessence. I highly doubt Evanessence even rights their lyrics. And if they do, those lyrics friggin suck :X They sound like a little kid wrote them.
Too late to be typing. Jeeze. I missed some things I still wasn't finished with. Linkin Park is NOT a bunch of mainstream sell outs. If they were, why would they stay after EVERY show to sign EVERY persons things they want them to. And take pictures. Go to meet and greets to meet their fans. You people don't even know what you're talking about. So quit acting like it. Morons.
Firstly i'd like to say that as a Musician, i can appreciate that everyone has different tastes. I can't stand hip hop myself... I think the comparison being made is relating to themes, more than sound. Both bands talk about issues that touch a lot of people really deep.
I'd just like to say this, for you guys to remember before you start bashing bands people like.
in 2002 I was sexually assaulted. I was only 13 and then 14 at the time. I must admit that things looked pretty desperate. I tried to end it all. Oh well. If you must, go and do the whole ' there's lots of sad people out there routine' but words can't really express the chaos my emotions were in.
I can honestly say that without Linkin Park, i would most probably be dead. Somehow their lyrics and there sound managed to getr through my thoughts and for the first time in MONTHS it was like someone understood. It didn't matter to me that they didn't know who the hell i was, but SOMEONE ELSE (chester - lead singer.. same shit happened to him) knew EXACTLY how i was feeling. What's more they overcame it, to inspire people.
So before you go critizing someone's music, think about me ok? Remember how something that you might call trivial, can save someone from death.
On a lighter but no less important note, Linkin Park are not mainstream. Theyre self confessed nerds. They have families. They don't have typical rock star lives. Like as has been pointed out, they actually do stay and sign EVERYTHING that people want signed. They love their fans. They're soo dedicated, it's not funny. You watch live in texas. You go see how near the end of the show, Chester looks like he's about to keel over because of his illness, but he still puts in 150%. You watch the expression on his face when he sings! It's moving, fan or no. Plus they have a great sense of humour and are great guys.
I like both bands, btw.
Feel free to contact me
You know what? Opinions are like a--holes, everyones got one. That's why this world is so divided as it is. I don't listen to music cause someone makes me, I listen to it for myself. I don't care that the bands I like become sellouts,or mainstream, what do you do? Just drop them? I think that's really unfair. "Numb" is my favourite song from Linkin Park cause it just sums up everything 'bout me. My mom tells me this and that. 'Bout how she was a straight A student in school and everything. She expects me to live up to that cause that's what she was. Well that's not me, I live to break the mold. Diversity is a greath thing, I mean, life would be boring if everybody looked the same, listened to the same stuff, just being so alike is EWWWW!!! I'm proud to be different. The whole thing of the music industry is to make it big, cause you've invested your time, your hard work, and money into the band. I know this cause me and my friends are starting a band. It's so far, so good. My friend is addicted to Simple Plan and I am to Linkin Park. We both have posters plasted everywhere. We wish for one day to see a fan of our music like that cause having a feeling knowing you made a difference in someones life w/ your music means alot. I'm sorry to all Christian, but who care if they believe in God or not cause it's their decision, not everyone else, if you don't like their music cause of their religion, then what kind of person are you? Who cares what genre it is! Who care what kind it is! Music is music, and if someone can't appriciate it for that, then they need to get their head on right. And that's the truth. So learn it!
I agree with any comparisons of Linkin Park with Evanescence, because both bands pretty much blow.
I agree with any comparisons of Linkin Park with Evanescence, because both bands pretty much blow.
I think that the album rocks!!!!lol...its a very deep and awesome album!especially my immortal and bring me back to life, their great songs!!She sings great in both of them!!!!!i liked the album a lot!!!!!the band is great too!the man who plays the piano for the song my immortal is very good at playing the piano!!i love the that song!!!!!!:-) um..i wud like to find out who plays it and find the lyrics to it!!!hehehe:-)
Well I like evanescence, but I heard that their gutarist said they were not a Christian band I don't know if that is true or not. After all picking up someone from Living Sacrifice and having the singer from 12 stones do guest vocals makes you wonder.
Salut i'm a french.I don't speak english very well
therefore I wish you "UN GRAND SALUT"
who are you to say that a band is good or not? they play what they like to play, and that's it. there hasn't been a such thing of as original music since sometime in the 80s (maybe early 90s). every band now (at least major labeled or otherwise somewhat popular) is either influenced by pure three chord rock n' roll, punk, metal, hardcore, emo, singer/songwriter, goth, or the hip-hop/rap-metal/rock (which was started when Aerosmith did 'Walk This Way' with Run DMC, when Motley Crue did 'Dr. Feelgood' with 2 Live Crew, or from Faith No More.) , etc. Some bands can add something to their sound to make it stand out more than others, but music today is a rehash of some other thing already done. The whole 'sell-out' thing is getting old also. Any band that i know (except for Fugazi) will sign to a major label to get their music heard (or to make the money). why does a band have to be Christian or Non-Christian? No other religion has their music lumped under a religious title. as P.O.D. once said in an interview "if bands are labeled by their religion, than that would make the Beastie Boys Buddhist rap." Music is Music. it's not meant to be broken down line for line to come up with what the artist means. it is supposed to be translated by the audience in their own terms. i think music with Christian lyrics is good if that's what an artist wants to write, but you must remember actions speak louder than words. the time before and after the show is the time to witness (unless you are an evangelical band, but most of them only play for Christian crowds which doesn't make any sense to me.) Just because a band doesn't but Jesus or God in the lyrics or preach from the stage doesnt mean they can't reach people, showing true genuine love to people will reach them easier than any song. and who cares if they say f*uck, sh*t, or any other word considered to be 'cussing,' 'cursing,' or 'bad'? it's a word unless it's used to talk down to somebody (thus the reason it was given the term a 'curse' word to begin with) then it's not really wrong. it's about their convictions. i do think you should respect people and understand that to some people who are going to read the interview it maybe offensive, especially Christian supporters, however you cannot say they are not 'good' people just based on a word. 'Waking with Christ' is much more than these lousy 'laws' and 'rules' somebody dressed in a nice suit getting paid somtimes $50,000 (alot of times these days) or more tells you to do(talk about selling-out. ministers are making just as much or money than most people in non-christian jobs. it's hard to believe that these people in the Bible usually had nothing.) i'm not saying it's wrong to be a minister (actually we are all supposed to 'go into the world and make believers of all people. that's real ministry.), but you have to question everything the minister says. the ministers, the pope, the priests, and any other people in a leadership position is human and fallible, and we should find our own ways instead of using somebody else as a crutch (it is good to get advice, but not to believe everything a person says on blind faith. we can study the word also.) and last, if you do not like a certain band, then you don't like them. however, we try to tell people it's wrong to like certain bands, but if we all liked the same music life would be boring.get a life and argue over more important things. and what are yoy complaining about. Doug said 'Tourniquet' and 'Imaginary' which are both songs on the album. Tourniquet is actually a Soul Embraced song reworked. stop judging people and love people. that's what being a Christian is about.
Ok, there are members of the band that are Christians...but that doesn't make them a Christian band. The guitarist you are referring to is Ben Moody. He is no longer a member of the band nor did he speak for everyone in the band. He spoke for himself and that was perceived as if it was for all of them. Get to know the other band members and forget Moody. He's a poser and a wannabe. He takes credit where none is due. He co-wrote the majority of the songs but not all of them like he says. Watch out for snakes, they bite when you least expect it.
"Tourniquet" wasn't written by Evanescense either....neither Ben nor Amy had but 1 line they contributed to that song. It was written by Rocky Gray who is a member of Soul Embraced, brother-in-law to myself and Chad of Soul Embraced. Stop fighting amongst yourselves and ask someone who knows. Friends of and family members of the bands. They know the truth.
i personally hate when people say a band sucks because they are signed to a label, i bet, if you had a band, you will wish you were as successful as evanescence, they ARE very tallented, and original, i say this in a musician's point of view, listen to the other songs, like, tourniquet, whisper, haunted, etc, RESEARCH! don't criticize when you do not know.
I, for one, happen to like Evanescence. They may not me "original" in content but in the way the common elements are applied and mixed together appeal to me. Then again I'm the type of person who loves Classical music just as much as, Rock, Techno, Jazz, Pop etc. So a myrad of musical styles and compositions appeal to me. Most people I have met don't or can't say the same. Maybe Evanescence is'nt your thing. Ok sure. what ever tickles your pickle. And If Evanescence does that then by all means, partake. If it does'nt I'm sure there are lot of other things for you to listen to.
Some people think all Evanescence has going for them is a Female vocalist. Maybe people love Evanescence due to the fact that there is a Female lead vocal. So? What's so wrong with that? Some people may love a groups music but just not prefer the vocals. Nothing wrong there. When some one "sounds Mainstream" do you mean "Generic?" Some have questioned their lyrics as to what they mean are they bad or good etc. A groups lyrics (as their sound) is a matter of personal prefence to the listener. When reading one of their intiverviews Amy (I belive it was) stated that the songs where about life exsperiences. If one WAS a Christian and you exsperienced things from that persective, I'd gather that it would be pretty easy to write a song that "sounds" Christian. They also asked "Can't it be all about the music?" Which tells me that they don't want to be boxed into one area and one area only of the music scene.
just i want say that evanescence is the best group in the world and congratulations for amy leee
Well, All I can say is I like the band!
I'm gonna keep buying their CD's and from an earlier post from ryan No you can not be a poser if you like King's X
I just want to know if u would be able to send me guitar chords of the song Torniquet. thanks... hoping as soon as it would be possible.
i think paul mccoy is so hott
I agree with anyone and everyone who said, 'mainstream'. i mean look, now amy lee is doing geust voacls for seether! the band was ok, the first time i heard them, then they got real old real fast, i think the comparison to linkin park was a fair one, neither band is really all that good whatever talent they have.
Didn't they play in LS's last show? This would've ruined an historical moment...
Your the best! They said your a "CHRISTIAN" wow! I was really stunned with your songs. esp. Torniquet...
How can someone like their music one minute, and when they find out the band isn't christian, suddenly say "I have no respect for them."
That's just plain idiotic. I love their music. And for all of you who say "Lacuna Coil was first!", technically, Evanescence and Lacuna Coil both started around the same time. Evanescence released limited-edition EPs, so you likely won't find their older albums in stores.
soy admirador de amy lee y me encanta como canta es la mejor y ademas es la mujer mas bella que e visto quisiera saber mas cosas de ella bye los quiero
Evanescence rocks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Evanescence is the best band in the hole world !!!!!!! Amy : you are the best !!!!!!
wow.....all these ppl....cursing for no reason....arent you guys supposed to be christians....it really annoys me....hypocrites....evanesance is kool tho
