You know, I really do love Evanescence. I was one of the first people to get their album Fallen (thanks, Kristina) and I’ve always found them appealing due to the womanly touch of lead singer Amy Lee. On their “debut” (they’ve had many albums before this) album Fallen, I enjoy Amy’s voice and the way she adds sensitivity and out-of-ordinary instruments like pianos and strings that you don’t usually find in dreaded nu-metal bands. I’m sure if you’ve been paying attention, you know the story of the Evanescence (there’s only about six zillion fanatics of the band on this site alone), so I won’t bore you with what you already know.

”Bring Me to Life” was their first song, and it introduced them to the world, as it was featured on the Daredevil soundtrack. ”My Immortal” (the album version) could be found alongside it’s counterpart, although looking at the types of artists that were found there, ”My Immortal” looks extremely out of place. The same can really be said for the song on the band’s record Fallen; nine of the eleven songs are found in the same musical vein as successful singles ”Bring Me to Life” and ”Going Under” while ”My Immortal” and ”Hello” are powerful piano ballads reminiscent of piano mistresses Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan.

”My Immortal” is the third single released from the band's triple-platinum album. In all honesty, I think releasing ”My Immortal” as a single was a pretty ballsy move for the band. Although the song might have some recognition thanks directly in part to Daredevil, it’s something extremely different from their more abrasive signature sound. I figured that nu-metal freaks and fans of Linkin Park would cause a big scene over Evanescence doing a slow piano ballad.

You know what? It didn’t really matter.

Although the album version of ”My Immortal” is the last song on the single, it makes more sense to me (as this is my first review of Evanescence) to mention it first. As stated, you can find this version of the song on Fallen and the Daredevil soundtrack. ”My Immortal” is a love tune that comes off far from the schmaltzy puppy love songs that your standard overblown pop divas sing. As the title suggests, Amy is reminiscing of a lost love. To Amy, the person refuses to leave her thoughts, making them immortal.

In my opinion, this is the band’s best song, hands down. Musically, you might expect something along the lines of Sarah McLachlan; the piano is simple and beautiful, the strings are moving. I've honestly had a good couple of cries to this song because I find it that moving. Amy Lee is a classically trained vocalist and it really shines through on a piece such as ”My Immortal”. She’s definitely very passionate about her singing, and you can feel her pain as she recollects this lost person that was in her life. Apparently the ex-lead guitarist/co-leader of the band Ben Moody wrote most of the song, and he paints you a detailed emotional picture. It’s the way that ”My Immortal” is so simple, elegant and gentle that shocked me when the band moved for it’s release as a single.

You used to captivate me by your resonating light,
but now I'm bound by the life you left behind.
Your face it haunts my once pleasant dreams,
Your voice it chased away all the sanity in me.

The other version of ”My Immortal” is the “band” version; this was the the version of the song that was used as the single. The piano notes, strings, and vocals are cleaned up a bit and sound more polished, but they don’t ruin the song by diminishing it’s value; in fact, the alternations make it all the more powerful. The only other real difference between the album version and this alternate take is that band briefly kicks in with a guitar and drum piece near the end of the song, and there’s some low-fi organ sounds added quietly into the background.

Let’s discuss the video for a second. Throughout the video (which you get here), Amy and Ben are found in different parts of a foreign city (looks like someplace Italian to me). Amy sings the song in a simple yet beautiful fashion (walking around a fountain, solemnly observing the young children with no cares, laying on a rooftop during the sunset) while Ben ironically seems to be the one that’s passed on, walking around the city in search of Amy. It’s almost like Ben is the phantom of the opera; haunting the city, appearing to play on his piano at a secluded warehouse-type place at night. The way the band suddenly kicks in with guitar licks near the end of the piece reminds me completely of Guns ‘n’ Roses and their 90’s power ballad ”November Rain.” It totally adds that theatrical and dramatic feel to the song, and before you know it, it’s gone and the song and video are over. If only there was a big rain storm exploding down on Amy after the guitars burst into the song, I would have died happy. :)

Let’s discuss the appearance of the video now. It totally suits the song – done in black and white like most proper theatrical tunes (for example, Madonna and ”Oh Father”), the location is beautiful and exotic. Amy looks hot as hell in her simple white dress complete with curled hair. Ben even looks pretty cute in his little black tux. The other band mates (do we really care about them? Not really.) appear in the darkness for a few brief seconds, but the way Lee and Moody are done up, it’s almost scary how Moody departed from the bad shortly after filming; it looks like they were to be married, and then Ben passed on in the video. I guess that’s why I love Evanescence’s videos – they have that dramatic way of telling a story down pat.

The track listing? Pshaw. Both variations of ”My Immortal” (to recap – the album version and the band version) are perfect, as well as the video. I loved Evanescence anyway, but after this single I think I’m officially obsessed. Save me. Here’s to hoping Amy and the remaining members continue on to have a long and successful career, even without Ben.

Great Music to Play While: Reflecting on the past.
5 Stars

© 2003 ptparatroopa

Recommended: Yes