*****Originaly posted on November 20, 2011*****
While in my endless search for more music, I come across bands that are awful, some that are ok, and a select few that are amazing. We Are The Fallen goes into the "Amazing" category. I was quite surprised at the music. Its dark and haunting, yet powerful and beautiful. Yes, I know, half of Evanescence's ex-members create a good part of the band, so their styles are similar. And even though I've only been a fan for a couple of months, I'm already sick of people comparing Evanescence's Amy Lee to We Are The Fallen's Carly Smithson. Both are phenomenal vocalists in my opinion. So, that being said: lets get to the review.
A friend of mine told me about this band when we were talking about the "good ole days" of Evanescence. I went home and listened to the 30 second clips on iTunes. I immediately went to Best Buy and bought this album. Carly's powerful vocals, with Ben Moody's songwriting were a perfect match. I'm glad that I ripped this CD into iTunes because I would have burned holes into the disc from the overplaying.
Now, onto the tracks:
1. Bury Me Alive - The album's first single. This is an amazing song about trying to save someone from a horrible situation but they keep going back into it.
"I watched you let yourself die,
Now it's too late to save you this time."
I love everything about this song. It really shows off what this band can do.
2. Burn - This song has a similar sound to "Bury Me Alive". Also, it seems to run in the same vein too. It's like the person that "Bury Me Alive" is talking about, but from their point of view. They know their in a horrible situation, but there is something that they don't know how to fight is pulling them back.
3. Paradigm - I'm not going to lie, I was mis-pronouncing this word for the longest time until I heard this song. Again, this song runs in the same vein as "Burn". It's about hating someone you love, or loving someone you hate. A paradigm in itself. (I love it when songs take their title to a whole new level.) This is the first song on the album where I can really see where people could compare them to Evanescence. It's strong, yet haunting.
4. Don't Leave Me Behind - This song is right on the verge of a ballad. It starts off soft with the keyboard and guitars being the focus. Then the chorus starts with the pounding drums and that wonderful rock we all love!
5. Sleep Well, My Angel - The first true ballad on the album. For me, its VERY reminiscent of "My Immortal". This song is about having to leave someone you love, but thinking about what you are giving up if they do leave. But, also realizing that you are making life better for the other person by leaving. There's lots of emotion that comes up. You can also hear it in Carly's voice thats a hard song to sing. When I first read the lyrics to this song I got a little choked up.
"Watching you sleep for so long,
Knowing I can't turn the rain into sun anymore
I've given you all that I have,
Now I stand here, too scared to hold your hand.
Afraid you might wake to see
The monster that had to leave
'Cause you see the shelter as the storm
Holding wind to keep you warm,
You are everything to me, this is why I have to leave,
So sleep well my angel."
6. Through Hell - This became a quick favorite for me. It's a great song to belt out and get some anger out. \m/ This song is a good reminder that most of the thing we fear are all in our head. And that its ok to shed a tear every now and then.
"The nightmares inside here
My dark fears
All in my head again
The nightmares I might hear
All my tears pull me through hell again"
This song also brings to mind a quote: "If you're going through Hell, keep going." Basically saying that if you're going through Hell, keep going because ,sooner or later, you're going to get out of it.
7. I Will Stay - I like songs that talk about and endless love or an undying devotion. This songs lyrics are simple and short. This song also shows off two sides to the band, both the soft, mellow and slow parts, but still showing the harder side.
8. Without You - This song is a complete 180 degree turn from the last song. This one is all about the end of a relationship and how liberating it can be to remove that person from your life.
"Oh I let you go to feel the light outside
Oh I without you I just feel so alive
There must be more to life
Than I just left behind
Oh I without you I just feel
I just feel so alive"
Need I say more about this song?
9. St. John - This was my first favorite on the album. To me, this is the most Evanescence-esque song on the album. Very close to "Haunted". I've heard many interpretations about this song, ranging from religion to an insane asylum. You just have to hear this song and decide for yourself.
10. I Am Only One - The final ballad on the album. The violins on this song add an extra level to the song. This is another intensely emotional song. It brings images of someone mourning the loss of a very close loved one.
11. Tear The World Down - The albums title track. A very haunting and soft opening, would be great for the start of a haunted house movie, leads into the song itself. Carly shows off her deeper vocals to start the song, then her normal belting resumes. This wraps up the album very well, bringing back all the emotions and themes that were in the rest of the album: loss of love, loved ones returning then tearing everything apart.
"My loveless life
I'm lost in you tonight
Waiting for you to turn around
Only to tear the whole world down.
My darkest night
Your arms that hold me tight
Waiting for you to turn around
Only to tear the whole world down.
All my love is lost
All my hope is gone"
Bonus Tracks:
12. Samhain - Another song with the haunting sounds that made this band what it is. That and Carly's amazingly strong vocals. This girl know how to belt!
13. Like A Prayer - Yes, unfortunately, this is a Madonna cover. But, it's not a bad one. I'm not a fan of Madonna, but We Are The Fallen's cover of this great. Unfortunately, when this song gets stuck in my head, people wont know that I'm singing the cover and not Madonna.... :-/
All in all, I love this album and am highly anticipating their next release! Wether an Evanescence look-alike band, or something completely unique, I think every gothic rock fan should give this album a listen!
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