Evanescence (Deluxe Edition)by Evanescence

This album felt like it had the least character, or personality of any of Evanescence's work so far. That being said, I still enjoyed it and would say that every (or almost every) song on it is worth keeping - and that, I won't say for every one of their albums. They took more of a risk going in specific emotional and melodic directions with songs on other albums, which I think is the reason why this one feels a bit more bland and the others so much more diverse. Amy Lee's usual over-the-top discontent is clearly present and accounted-for in these tracks. However, this album finds former "Cold" basssist Terry Balsamo's guitar work taking a much more forward position in the soundscape. Many songs, (for example, "Erase This" and "Say You Will") are characterised by his dynamic, strobing electric riffs. I prefer this state of affairs to the former, where Lee's contributions were pretty much the only thing to which one was intended to pay any real attention. I mean she's talented and all, but if you're going to have a band, have a bloody BAND, already. I also hear lots of drum-fills and other such things that add dimension to the mix, which in turn make this album much more exciting. The specific turns taken in chord progressions and vocal melodies, at times, really grab me and take me for a ride.

All that being said, some of this stuff feels as though it was written to be a blend of Gothic Rock and pop-music a la American Idol. The video for "What You Want" seems like something I might expect to see from a winner (or runner-up) on Idol. It isn't as satisfying to me as songs like "Lithium," "My Immortal," "Going Under," et al.

Also, I RE-hee-HEALLY wish that Amy Lee would give it up with the religion, already. Evanescence's semi-frequent religious themes, namely the self-identification with sin, helplessness and incapacity, and the need to be "saved" by someone else, make their music much less relatable to me as a person who wants to live and succeed for himself.

Lee writes a lot of lyrics about living for other people. Coming from a strong believer in a faith which teaches that goodness, healing, salvation, etc, can only come from outside of oneself, that really isn't so surprising. Hearing lyrics like "... And now I see what I really am - a thief a whore, and a liar," I can't help but think that she would find a great deal more healing (maybe even write some happy songs!) if she'd stop being so concerned with her "sins" (referenced at least once in this album) and her identity as an innate failure, stop asking someone else to fix, love or validate her and learn how to do those things for herself. There comes a time when you've just gotta take responsibility for your own health and happiness. She has so much talent and energy, that's a sign of a powerful spirit. I just wish she'd see it herself, and that she'd write things reflective of the self-love resulting from said realization. All her energy could become an immense vitality if she'd just stop using it against herself with these self-defeating beliefs.

Overall I give this album 4 out of 5 stars. Despite its shortcomings, it's probably the most complex and driving work I've heard from Evanescence.