| To say that I like this CD, is an
understatement. Emilie Autumn has put together a CD that is a blend of both classical
music and pop, a style that is not new to me. For some time I have been a fan of a similar
artist named Lourds and in many ways Lourds and Emilie mirror each other. The most obvious
similarities are that they are both violin players and they both have what some might call
a visual performance image. Where Lourds is more rock, Emilie stays closer to her
classical roots. With her CD Chambermaid, Emilie Autumn has put before the listener
a textured landscape of tones and color, all the wile weaving pop melodies with a voice
that that falls on your ears like snow on your shadow.
The CD contains 9 tracks, 8 are listed and one
is a bonus track. Of the 9 songs, 3 are remixes. Is everyone following me here? OK, good.
The opening cut "Chambermaid" gives
the listener a good idea of what Emilie is all about. It’s mix of ethereal and
baroque styles, leaving one with the feeling that B96 and classical 98.7 ran in to each
other at the renaissance fair. The first remix of "Chambermaid" (Space Mountain
mix) is outstanding. The second (Decomposition mix) is a mess and I really don’t
understand what the need for this mix was. "Chambermaid" is followed by the
hauntingly beautiful "Largo for Violin & Harpsichord", an instrumental that
is full out classical in the baroque style, which by musical definition is ‘highly
embellished melodies". What it was to me, was a feeling of a time that once was. In
so many ways that’s what this CD is, a bridging of two styles in their purest forms,
literality! But it works, and it works because never do you feel that this was something
that Emilie Autumn set out to do, but rather this is what she does. Because of that it
carries the weight of an artist, and an artist she is.
The song after "Largo for Violin &
Harpsichord" is "What If". Again she puts forth a beautiful melody, but
it’s in the remix version that I get chills. In this wonderful little melody she asks
" What if I am the siren that sings gentlemen to sleep"? As much as I love the
album version, the remix seems to be more of a lullaby coupled with backing vocals that
sweep around your head like stars around a wizard's hat, and makes for a great repeat
play. "Hollow Like My Soul", the following track, starts out with a Gregorian
chant and then goes into a stark piano vocal that will have you swept away, only to return
you better off for the experience. It’s the sound in her voice that evokes the
thoughts of a princess in the tower. There is a longing throughout this CD for a white
knight, but it’s in the next song, my fav "I don’t care much", that
Emilie sings of her independence. It's in her words - "Go or stay I don’t care
very much" - but it’s also in her voice. The indifference in her tone is that of
a mall rat saying "whatever". All this wrapped up in a mid tempo Euro-techno
feel that draws the listener in. It’s also in this song that Emilie displays her full
range vocally, and in doing this, she also opens her soul, giving us an insight of both
pain and rapture. A captured soul released by an angel's touch. But in so many ways this
is Emilie, but at the same time I have the feeling that this is Emilie Autumn now, not the
future. With an artist as unique as she is, she holds all the cards and we are her willing
subjects.
The bonus track, which is not titled (most are
not), is a lovely classical piece that conjures up thoughts of King Arthur and the Knights
of the Round Table. With that said - don’t be the court jester! You would be a fool
not to seek out this CD, because much like other great treasures, it's there to be
discovered. When I get done reviewing a CD I always ask myself, would I buy this CD? Well,
in the case of Emilie Autumn I would say yes, and I have a feeling I would say yes to the
next one as well. Put her on your short list of must hear artists. I have a feeling you
will be glad you did.
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