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Rating: There are people who are born with art flowing through their veins, almost as if it were blood, and who, for better or worse, are destined to become great artists sooner or later. Then there are others who receive this gift only as a result of something unexpected in their lives, something significant and, in most cases, not exactly pleasant. Emilie Autumn was both of these things. Known to the public as a dark nymph with scarlet hair, few know that before the abortion and attempted suicide, followed by a period of confinement in a psychiatric institution, the dark Californian violinist was something completely different and ever so distant from the delirious character she is now.
The difference between the past and present of the eclectic musician is equally significant in terms of image and music: in "Enchant," Autumn's debut album, there is no trace of the hallucinatory and disturbing sound of "Opheliac," and the gloomy Victorian asylum atmospheres fade in favor of fairy-like auras that immerse the listener in Irish woods where nature is still unspoiled, almost mystical. In such a setting, Emilie moves like a most graceful fairy, and with an almost angelic voice guides us through the 14 tracks of the album on a musical journey where her favorite instrument, the violin, intertwines with a sophisticated electronic touch and Enya-like choirs, creating an intriguing pop-rock with Celtic nuances ("Across The Sky," "Rapunzel," "Remember," "Save You"). However, there are moments when the magical atmosphere gives way to lounge sounds skillfully recreated by the piano (the smoky "Second Hand Faith," "Heard It All," "If You Feel Better"); the piano is also the absolute protagonist of delicate ballads like the beautiful "What If" and "Ever," which greatly recall Elton John and Tori Amos's "Winter." There are also some more rocking moments ("Chambermaid") and successful nods to electro-pop ("Juliet," "Rose Red," "How Strange"), with the ever-present violin serving almost as a glue between all the songs, which, though they traverse different genres, always sound united by a well-implemented red thread.
"Enchant" is therefore a very diverse album that is completely different from what Emilie Autumn has accustomed us to listening to, a record that might surprise those who know her only for her "ophelian" delusions (if you'll allow the term) and that, being much more easy-listening compared to "Opheliac" and "Fight Like A Girl," might not appeal to everyone. However, for those who do not yet know the talented Californian violinist, it could be a good starting point to begin venturing into her musical realms by following her artistic journey from the beginning. Ultimately, it doesn't really matter, because in both cases it is undeniable that "Enchant" is an excellently crafted and interpreted record, representing a little gem to (re)discover for those seeking music that is not overly demanding, but well-made and pleasant and relaxing to the ears.
Tracklist and Lyrics
03 Chambermaid (03:14)
Show your face
Don’t hide
Take off the mask now
Underneath is a deep dark secret
Take me for a ride
Upon your white horse
Take your love
‘Cause I don’t want to keep it
I am out of place
And honey you are out of time
I’d tell your fortune
But the words don’t rhyme
Chorus:
I’m not your chambermaid
You’re not my lord
All the fine games we played
Have left me bored
I never want to see you come around my castle
‘Cause I just can’t afford to love you
I’m not your chambermaid
You’re not my lord
Tell me what I have to do to make you
Understand it’s a lost cause lover
Tell me while you’re at it how it feels to
Hold me close when you’ve been thinking of her
I don’t want to hear you say you love me
You’ve been gone such a long time
Won’t you turn around
Before I have to see this
Face I once adored
Don’t you see
I am out of place
And honey you are out of time
I’d tell your fortune
But the words don’t rhyme
Chorus
You have no hold over me
What’s in your cards now let me see
I hope you’ve got what you wanted
There’s just one thing I know will never be
Chorus
04 Rapunzel (03:57)
In a courtyard
Used to sing as loud as she could
Locked away here
She’s been quiet, lovely and good
But no one listens now
She lost her voice
She had no choice
Chorus:
If you sing loud and clear
Someone passing by will surely hear you
No you can’t be afraid
If you ever want somebody near you
If you sing loud and clear
Someone passing by will surely hear you
No you can’t be afraid
Tore the curtain
Put her hand outside of the frame
Let her hair down
Sat all day and nobody came
But when the sun went down
The stars came out
She heard them shout
Chorus
But when the sun went down
The stars came out
She heard them shout
Chorus
07 Juliet (05:42)
You’re in my stars you know
Don’t need no crystal ball to tell me so
Whispering in the air
Hoping that my words find you somewhere
Even when I close my eyes
I’ll never recreate the time that flies
The consequence is hanging there
The sky will fall but I don’t care
Chorus:
Meet me beneath my balcony and say
No one but you could ever fill my night
Be the sunlight in my every day
Underneath my balcony I’ll say
No one but you could ever fill my night
Be the sunlight in my every day
Your love is haunting me
And all I want is more to set me free
Whispering in the air
Hoping that my words find you somewhere
Do you hear me call your name
I know we will never be the same
The consequence is hanging there
The sky will fall but I don’t care
Chorus
10 Castle Down (03:52)
You can see that I swim
Through the sea of painful
You have watched as I pull
Myself from the floor
And you were there when I
Built my tower like pebbles in the rain
Trying to balance all that I had left
With what I didn't have anymore
CHORUS
But would you tear my castle down
Stone by stone
And let the wind run through my windows
'Til there is nothing left but a battered rose
Would you tear my castle down
Stone by stone
And let the wind run through my windows
'Til there is nothing left but a battered rose
You seem so devoted
Your love is unconditional
You were self-promoted
I never asked you
You were my everything
My apparitional faith
Where are you when I am screaming to my God
What am I coming to
CHORUS
If I had another place to go
Would you break me, is it that you know
I have no choice but to rebuild again
I'm tied so hard I can't remember when
I last walked free upon these feet of mine
But I'll draw the line
There will come a Time
When I am stronger
Your words won't hurt any longer
CHORUS
'Til there is nothing nothing left
'Til there is nothing nothing left
'Til there is nothing left
Will you tear my castle down
Will you tear my castle down
Will you tear my castle down
12 If You Feel Better (04:49)
If you feel better
Telling me I’m cruel
Saying I’m unfeeling
I don’t mind
If it’s necessary
If it helps you out
Crying that I’m heartless
It’s alright
Chorus:
And I’m sorry to cause you so much pain
And I’m sorry to bring you down again
But I’ve reached the end and I won’t fight anymore
I don’t know what you really want from me
But I don’t fit in your reality
How can any man be so blind
But if you feel better
I don’t mind
If you feel safer
Keeping to yourself
Placing trust in no one
I won’t cry
If it calms your conscience
Making me the guilty one
Take my reputation
Ain’t worth much
And it’s alright
Chorus
Won’t make me sorry ’cause I’m cruel
Won’t hurt the feelings I don’t have
Won’t break the heart that isn’t there you’ll find
But if you feel better
Telling me I’m cruel
Saying I’m unfeeling
I don’t mind
I don’t mind
I don’t mind
13 Save You (04:53)
How do I save you from a fate so sweet
As being torn to pieces by a loving hand
How do I save you from a voice so soft
As that which acquiesces to your each demand
How do I look upon the eyes I love
And send them down this path, I know it isn’t right
How do I make you realize my love
That there is more to fear than strangers in the night
Chorus:
How do I save you
How do I set you free
Behind the curtain waits a darker world
If I can’t make you leave
How can I save you from me
I think you’ve had enough experience
To differentiate between a heart of gold
And what you cradle in your gentle arms
Can you not recognize a soul already sold
How do I save you from the things I’ve been
I can’t deny the past, it’s written on my face
How do I save you from the mess you’re in
When I can’t make you leave this torturous embrace
Chorus
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Other reviews
By ghigno92
(Prologue): Across The Sky encapsulates the entire album with magic and beauty.
Love goes on but time does not return again.
