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Evanescence Image
Metascore
63

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 160 Ratings

  • Summary: Nick Raskulinecz produced the third album for the rock band that sees only singer Amy Lee as the remaining original member.
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Top Track

My Heart Is Broken
I will wander until the end of time Torn away from you I pulled away to face the pain I close my eyes and drift away Over the fear That I will never... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 9
  2. Negative: 1 out of 9
  1. Kerrang!
    Oct 6, 2011
    100
    This album's consistent quality should easily re-establish Evanescence back on the rock map in 2011. [1 Oct 2011, p.52]
  2. 75
    She still occasionally lapses into drama-club caterwauling, but when she uses baroque orchestral accoutrements to wage an air assault on her demons (as she does on the blistering "Oceans"), she's more than just the token girl in the pit.
  3. Oct 11, 2011
    70
    Evanescence's self-titled third album captures each party elevating the other far above where their proclivities would get them on their own.
  4. Oct 11, 2011
    63
    A livelier album seems to lurk inside this one, struggling to sneak past its creator.
  5. Oct 19, 2011
    50
    Evanescence may not be doing anything fresh or positively controversial on this new record all about itself. But they sure know how to keep their diehard fans happy by largely repeating the same formula that worked for them in the past.
  6. Oct 12, 2011
    50
    Too much of the time, Evanescence get lost in the cavernous spaces carved out by their unsecret weapon.
  7. Nov 8, 2011
    25
    Maniacally narcissistic, Evanescence is corny in the way only music so grim and humorless--and yet irredeemably stupid--can be

See all 9 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 44
  2. Negative: 2 out of 44
  1. Oct 16, 2011
    10
    Mature, well written, well-composed are just 3 of the top terms that come to mind when listening to this album. Some artists, as they growMature, well written, well-composed are just 3 of the top terms that come to mind when listening to this album. Some artists, as they grow with their music, alter their style and lose their identity. Amy Lee and company has proved that their style is positively authentic, powerful, and unwavering. This album has great flavor and really moves the body and soul. The writing is amazing, as usual. If it were possible for Amy Lee to sing any better, she just topped herself with this album. The vocals will blow you away like the didn't in the last 2 albums ...it's that good. God knows how she managed to improve her already amazing voice, but she did it. This album is a critical show of top notch musicianship and every artist who's "remaking" themselves would do well to take a page from this book. Beautiful album, beautiful music, welcome back Evanescence! Expand
  2. Oct 24, 2011
    10
    Sometimes you just have to go back to go forward. This is the album I was expecting Evanescence to make after Fallen became a worldwide hit.Sometimes you just have to go back to go forward. This is the album I was expecting Evanescence to make after Fallen became a worldwide hit. Although The Open Door wasn't a complete failure, it derailed Evanescence's sound a little. Amy Lee's stepping back here to somewhere that seems to be between Fallen and the Open Door which is no bad thing. There are occasional glimpses of Origin in the album and they experiment with new sounds without straying too far from their trademark 'Evanescence' soul. Its a really great album! Its big, dramatic, epic and carries Evanescence to new heights. It did take a while for the album to 'grow' on me. Originally, I thought it was bland and uninteresting but the more I listened to it, the more I started to appreciate the music. Vocally, Lee takes it to a new level here. How she plans to replicate the vocals on the album in a live show is anyones guess but her voice is beautiful, powerful and emotive all at once. Its understandable how some would find 'Evanescence' to be a bland album as it does seem to be an album sat firmly in between Fallen and The Open Door but largely the experimentation and Origin influences stop it from being a complete deadweight. The only thing it misses is a deeply emotional song like My Immortal or Good Enough. Lost In Paradise is too chaotic to be considered in the same slow, enchanting form as the aforementioned two songs. However cynical this will make me sound, 'Swimming Home' is just too... happy. All in all, the album is the greatest material ever produced by the band. Creatively, its stepping in the right direction and I do hope that is outdoes Fallen commercially also. I can say with absolute confidence that the 'Evanescence' album is DEFINITELY WORTH BUYING. Expand
  3. Aug 29, 2013
    10
    I feel that the music is so strong, still dark as always, and more gothic than ever also rocking!!
    My favorite is My heart is broken!! Love
    I feel that the music is so strong, still dark as always, and more gothic than ever also rocking!!
    My favorite is My heart is broken!! Love it!!!
    The darker for the music, the better for the sound..
    Expand
  4. Oct 24, 2011
    9
    After a long wait, the much anticipated album is here and well worth the wait. Much of every song is powerful and emotionally charged. Not aAfter a long wait, the much anticipated album is here and well worth the wait. Much of every song is powerful and emotionally charged. Not a single song felt weak. Unfortunately, this means that, with the exception of three songs, every track felt similar. The album itself starts of powerful with What You Want. The next few tracks are equally impressive. Unfortunately, I felt Lost In Paradise and Sick weren't up to tier with the rest of the album. Fortunately, the album picks back up with End of The Dream and Oceans and ends on a high note with Swimming Home. While this album is close in sound to The Open Door, 2006, overall it is much heavier with the instrumentals and a louder vocal. Expand
  5. Oct 13, 2011
    9
    Okay, I admit, it sounds a little different from the Evanescence we knew from Fallen and The Open Door. But do I mind? The answer is no. AmyOkay, I admit, it sounds a little different from the Evanescence we knew from Fallen and The Open Door. But do I mind? The answer is no. Amy Lee still sounds great as ever, totally finishing the songs. The new bands member do a great job at giving off the old Evanescence feeling. All in all, it's great! One thing though, I am missing a softer, sadder song, like My Immortal or Hello. So, yes, it sounds a little different, but it made me fall in love with Evanescence again! Expand
  6. Oct 21, 2011
    8
    Its Beautiful but it is a bit heavy. I think it needed a few more gentle tunes that Amy Lee is In. Maybe the deluxe edition will have that!IIts Beautiful but it is a bit heavy. I think it needed a few more gentle tunes that Amy Lee is In. Maybe the deluxe edition will have that!I still love you though Amy:-] Expand
  7. Nov 3, 2011
    3
    I personally think that this is their worst album so far. The guitar riffs blend into one another and the songs, in all honesty, sound prettyI personally think that this is their worst album so far. The guitar riffs blend into one another and the songs, in all honesty, sound pretty much the same to me. Amy's voice is good as usual, though I even don't think her vocals are as strong as they were on Fallen or The Open Door. Overall quite disappointing, even though I'm going to see them on Monday. I hope they play some older songs. Expand

See all 44 User Reviews