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Album Review

Emilie Autumn

Opheliac (10.23.2006)

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Just by opening the CD case and looking at the album art, one can get a general sense of what the music will be like. Pictures of antiques, pretty girls and blood spatters on nearly every page; it’s a combination of the gorgeous and the grotesque. The same holds true for the music.

Emilie Autumn opens the first track, “Opheliac”, with violin that’s reminiscent of chamber music. Without warning, this soft, quiet music is overshadowed with lovely, yet tortured vocals and progressively gets heavier – becoming riddled with dark electric string arrangements.

The lyrical content is done with a tongue-in-cheek attitude. Such subjects as suicide, rape and depression are covered with such an air of grace and fun; you have to listen closely to realize that is indeed what she is saying. For instance, on the song “Liar”, she sings ever so sweetly: “I want to mix our blood, And put it in the ground, So you can never leave.” Something that should send shivers down your spine puts a smile on your face.

Throughout the entire album, not only do the vocals go from saccharine to sinister, but so do the instrumentals. At times, the style is purely classical, accented with industrial beats. On other tracks such as “Dead is the New Alive“, she shreds on a violin with the same agility and breakneck speed as seasoned thrash guitarists. Metallic beats, haunting vocals, grandiose string arrangements, and eerie effects combine and create a unique and unforgettable sound.

The only complaint I have is the lyrics can be repetitive and a bit tedious. Such as in “I Want My Innocence Back”, where overdramatic is taken to the extreme. But, overall, the mixture of industrial and classical is a welcome break from the norm. For those who can’t get enough of Ms. Autumn, there’s a second disc complete with poetry readings and additional songs. Welcome to the asylum, ladies and gentlemen.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Opheliac
02. Swallow
03. Liar
04. The Art of Suicide
05. I Want My Innocence Back
06. Misery Loves Company
07. God Help Me
08. Shalott
09. Gothic Lolita
10. Dead is the New Alive
11. I Know Where You Sleep
12. Let The Record Show

Run Time: 59:53

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