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Victoriaindustrial, or the Art of seducing or utterly repulsing through the world of Music, this is how Emilie Autumn, American singer and violinist, defines her Art.
And indeed it is so, the sweet or violent Emilie (on whom there is also this excellent review of Laced/Unlaced on DeB where you can find a bit of biography) makes no compromises and doesn’t expect them from her listeners either: "Love me or hate me" she seems to say, "Treat me like a Goddess" or "Throw me away". An unconventional Sensuality that finds expression in her Electric Violin and in her voice always suspended between two fires: that of the most intimate whisper and that of screamed despair, a dichotomy also found in the stylistic choice caught between tradition and electronics (namely the fusion of Victorian and Industrial...) and with the accompaniment of a lot, a lot, a lot of Theater.
In short, if you're looking for an Icon of Theatrical Representation of all the contrasts of our "poor" generation at the beginning of this Century, Emilie is for you. But if you can't stand the artifices of an artist who tries with all her might to place herself beyond mere musical execution, feel free to move on. I am among those who believe that Pop, despite the name, (and here it is present in massive doses, of course, but Pop... capitalized not by chance...) is not for everyone, so I will surely not take offense (and certainly not the fascinating Emilie).
But I don't want to lose myself in further chatter, the Thirty Lines I'm entitled to are tight so the album: the seductive Minuet of the Title-Track's intro introduces you to the Enchanted and horrifying World of "Opheliac", and it immediately becomes clear what Victoriaindustrial is: electronics and 19th-century sounds combined in a Pop sauce, as previously mentioned, but all supported by the evident technical and compositional skills of the author who denies herself nothing, she screams, whispers, and then screams again: desperation, resignation, melancholy flow like rivers in flood that calm only when the Sweet Autumn chooses to nervously make her violin vibrate.
From here on, the journey will be a path dotted with ups and downs among more or less catchy dark melodies ("Swallow", "Liar", and "Misery Loves Company" above all) and Electrified Lullabies (which we like very much): "The Art of Suicide" and "Dead is the New Alive" for example... But the common denominator of this mixing of influences, seemingly far apart, is to captivate, it doesn't matter if the lever is the quest for the Macabre, the new Goddess of Gothic (yes, I did it, I associated the word Gothic with Pop... ahahahahaah...) goes straight to the point, rarely digresses, and when she does, you can't help but let yourself be guided into labyrinths made of sometimes grating sounds, only to find the Light again... Light? nooo, perhaps a half-light, there is very little Light in the Art of Autumn, but that little that arrives is enough to warm our hearts.
The "tortuous" "I Want My Innocence Back" and the emblematic (in the declaration of intent) "Gothic Lolita" clarify this particular alchemy which is created in listening, but the whole album is apparently dark and fragile...
"Why live a life that's painted with pity and sadness and strife", she suggests to us, and maybe for a while, we even believe it (deceived by the tempting skill of the strange Californian...), but then we remember that this is all Theater, representation indeed (also aided by the Bach-like citation, if one can say so... in the second album) so we turn off the Player and go out, now there is still the sun, tomorrow who knows...
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 Opheliac (05:33)
I'm your Opheliac
I've been so disillusioned
I know you'd take me back
But still I feign confusion
I couldn't be your friend
My world was too unstable
You might have seen the end
But you were never able
To keep me breathing
As the water rises up again
Before I slip away
You know the games I play
And the words I say
When I want my own way
You know the lies I tell
When you've gone through hell
And I say I can't stay
You know how hard it can be
To keep believing in me
When everything and everyone
Becomes my enemy and when
There's nothing more you can do
I'm gonna blame it on you
It's not the way I want to be
I only hope that in the end you will see
It's the Opheliac in me
I'm your Opheliac
My stockings prove my virtues
I'm open to attack
But I don't want to hurt you
Whether I swim or sink
That's no concern of yours now
How could you possibly think
You had the power to know how
To keep me breathing
As the water rises up again
Before I slip away
You know the games I play
And the words I say
When I want my own way
You know the lies I tell
When you've gone through hell
And I say I can't stay
You know how hard it can be
To keep believing in me
When everything and everyone
Becomes my enemy and when
There's nothing more you can do
I'm gonna blame it on you
It's not the way I want to be
I only hope that in the end you will see
It's the Opheliac in me
The Opheliac in me
Studies show:
Intelligent girls are more depressed
Because they know
What the world is really like
Don't think for a beat it makes it better
When you sit her down and tell her
Everything gonna be all right
She knows in society she either is
A devil or an angel with no in between
She speaks in the third person
So she can forget that she's me
Doubt thou the stars are fire
Doubt thou the sun doth move
Doubt truth to be a liar
But never doubt
Doubt thou the stars are fire
Doubt thou the sun doth move
Doubt truth to be a liar
But never doubt I love
You know the games I play
And the words I say
When I want my own way
You know the lies I tell
When you've gone through hell
And I say I can't stay
You know how hard it can be
To keep believing in me
When everything and everyone
Becomes my enemy and when
There's nothing more you can do
I'm gonna blame it on you
It's not the way I want to be
I only hope that in the end you will see
It's the Opheliac in me
02 Swallow (06:15)
I’ll tell the truth: all of my songs
Are pretty much the fucking same
I’m not a faerie but I need
More than this life so I became
This creature representing more to you
Than just another girl
And if I had a chance to change my mind
I wouldn’t for the world
Twenty years
Sinking slowly
Can I trust you
But I don’t want to
I will swallow
If it will help my sea level go down
But I’ll come back to haunt you if I drown
I will swallow
If it will help my sea level go down
I’ll take a deep deep breath
But I’ll come back to haunt you if I drown
I don’t want to be a legend
Oh well that’s a god damned lie - I do
To say I do this for the people
I admit is hardly true
You tell me everything’s all right
As though it’s something you’ve been through
You think this torment is romantic
Well it’s not except to you
Twenty years
Sinking slowly
Can I trust you
But I don’t want to
I will swallow
If it will help my sea level go down
But I’ll come back to haunt you if I drown
I will swallow
If it will help my sea level go down
I’ll take a deep deep breath
But I’ll come back to haunt you if I drown
Low tide and high tea
The oysters are waiting for me
If I’m not there on time
I’ll send my emissary
If I photoshop you
Out of every picture I could
Go quietly quiet
But would that do any good
Will it hurt? No it won’t
Then what am I so afraid of
Filthy victorians
They made me what I’m made of
The brighter the light
The darker the shadow
I don’t need a minder
I’ve made up my mind
Go away
Twenty years
Sinking slowly
Can I trust you
But I don’t want to
I will swallow
If it will help my sea level go down
But I’ll come back to haunt you if I drown
I will swallow
If it will help my sea level go down
I’ll take a deep deep breath
But I’ll come back to haunt you if I drown
03 Liar (06:01)
I want to hold you to the sun
I want to be your faithful one
I want to show you all the beauty you don't even know you hold
I'm hurting you for your own good
I'd die for you, you know I would
I'd give up all my wealth to buy you back the soul you never sold
I want to mix our blood and put it in the ground
So you can never leave
I want to win your trust, your faith, your heart
You'll never be decieved
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, Liar
I want you to heal you pretty sweet
(I want to heal you pretty sweet )
I'll throw rose petals at your feet
I'll spend eternity comparing all my poetry to yours
I want to see love through your eyes
(I'll throw rose petals at your feet )
You'll never have to compromise
I'd give up all my fame to bite your demons and your bloody woes
I want to mix our blood and put it in the ground
So you can never leave
I want to win your trust, your faith, your heart
You'll never be decieved
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, liar
Are you suffering?
Are you suffering?
Are you suffering?
Are you suffering?
Are you suffering?
Are you suffering?
Are you suffering?
Are you suffering?
Are you suffering?
I want your suffering
I want your beautiful suffering
I want to see your pain
Are you suffering?
I want your suffering
I want your beautiful suffering
I want to see your pain
Are you suffering?
I want your suffering
I want your beautiful suffering
I want to see your pain
Are you suffering?
I want your suffering
I want your beautiful suffering
I want it! I want it!
I want to mix our blood and put it in the ground
So you can never leave
I want to win your trust, your faith, your heart
You'll never be decieved
I want to mix our blood and put it in the ground
So you can never leave
I want to win your trust, your faith, your heart
You'll never be decieved
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, liar, liar, liar
Liar, Liar
Liar, Liar
I want to mix our blood and put it in the ground
So you can never leave
I want to mix our blood and put it in the ground
So you can never leave
I want to mix our blood and put it in the ground
So you can never leave
I want to mix our blood and put it in the ground
So you can never leave
04 The Art of Suicide (05:32)
The art of suicide
Nightgowns and hair
Curls flying every which where
The pain too pure to hide
Bridges of Sighs
Meant to conceal lover’s lies
Under the arches
Of moonlight and sky
Suddenly easy
To contemplate why
Why…
Why live a life
That’s painted with pity
And sadness and strife
Why dream a dream
That’s tainted with trouble
And less than it seems
Why bother bothering
Just for a poem
Or another sad song to sing
Why live a life
Why live a life
The art of suicide
Pretty and clean
Conveys a theatrical scene
“Alas, I’m gone!” she cried
Ankles displayed
Melodramatically laid
Under the arches
Of moonlight and sky
Suddenly easy
To contemplate why
Why…
Why live a life
That’s painted with pity
And sadness and strife
Why dream a dream
That’s tainted with trouble
And less than it seems
Why bother bothering
Just for a poem
Or another sad song to sing
Why live a life
Why live a life
Life is not like Gloomy Sunday
With a second ending
When the people are disturbed
Well they should be disturbed
Because there’s a story
That ought to be heard
Life is not like a gloomy Sunday
With a second ending
When the people are disturbed
Well they should be disturbed
Because there’s a lesson
That really ought to be learned
The world is full of poets
We don’t need any more
The world is full of singers
We don’t need any more
The world is full of lovers
We don’t need any more…
05 I Want My Innocence Back (03:48)
I want my innocence back
And if you can’t give it to me
I will cut you down
And I will run you through
With the dagger you sharpened
On my body and soul
Before you slit me in two
And then devoured me whole
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
And if you can’t pacify me
I will break your bones
You think I’m bluffing, just try me
I will never forget
The words you used to ensnare me
Till my dying day
You’ll suffer for this, I swear (I swear)
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
And I demand
You put my heart back in my hand
And wipe it clean
From the mess you made of me
And I require
You make me free from this desire
And when you leave, I’d better be the innocent
I used to be
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
I want my innocence back
06 Misery Loves Company (04:28)
It’s not the time
It’s not the place
I’m just another pretty face
So don’t come any closer
You’re not the first
You’re not the last
How many more?
Don’t even ask
You’re one more dead composer
Do I need you?
Yes and no
Do I want you?
Maybe so
You’re getting warm
You’re getting warm
You’re getting warmer oh
Did you plan this all along
Did you care if it was wrong
Who’s getting warmer now
That I’m gone
Misery loves company
And company loves more
More loves everybody else
But hell is others
I’m not for you
You’re not for me
I’ll kill you first
You wait and see
You devil undercover
You’re not a prince
You’re not a friend
You’re just a child
And in the end
You’re one more selfish lover
Do I need you?
Yes and no
Do I want you?
Maybe so
You’re getting warm
You’re getting warm
You’re getting warmer oh
Did you plan this all along
Did you care if it was wrong
Who’s getting warmer now
That I’m gone
Misery loves company
And company loves more
More loves everybody else
But hell is others
You’re so easy to read
But the book is boring me
You’re so easy to read
But the book is boring me
You’re so easy to read
But the book is boring
Boring boring boring boring
Boring boring me
Pray for me
If you want to
Pray for me
If you care
Pray for me
If you want to
Pray for me
If you dare
Pray for me
If you want to
Pray for me
If you care
Pray for me
If you want to
Pray for me you fucker
If you fucking dare
Misery loves company
And company loves more
More loves everybody else
But hell is others
07 God Help Me (05:58)
God help me,
I don't see how I can live this way
And I don't know why he's touching me
Won't you shine in my direction and help me?
Won't you lend me your protection and help me?
God help me
Believe me, this wasn't what I wanted
But no, I can't leave, he's got me
Won't you shine in my direction and help me?
Won't you lend me your protection and help me?
Am I guilty or am I just waiting around
For the tide to come in so the truth can come out
If I had a dollar for every time
I repented the sin and commit the same crime
I'd be sitting on top of the world today
I'd be sitting on top of the world today
God, God help me
Just maybe I'll learn to help myself
Speak to me, don't leave me, he's burning me
Won't you shine in my direction and help me?
Won't you lend me your protection and help me?
Places, everyone, this is a test
Throw your stones, do your damage, your worst
And your best, all the world is a judge
But that doesn't compare to what I do to myself
When you're not there
And if I had a dollar for every time
I repented the sin and commit the same crime
I'd be sitting on top of the world today
I'd be sitting on top of the world today
Don't make me choose, I've got too much to lose
Don't make me choose, I've got too much to lose
Don't make me choose, I've got too much to lose
Don't make me choose, I've got too much to fucking lose!
For I am with you, and also with You
I am with you, and also with You
God help me
09 Gothic Lolita (06:03)
How old are you?
I’m older than you’ll ever be
I’ve been dead a thousand years
And lived only two or three
I don’t mind telling you
My life was ended by your hand
The kind of murder where nobody dies
But I don’t suppose you’d understand
Call off the search
We’ve found her
If I am Lolita
Then you are a criminal
And you should be killed
By an army of little girls
The law won’t arrest you
The world won’t detest you
You never did anything
Any man wouldn’t do
I’m Gothic Lolita
And you are a criminal
I’m not even legal
I’m just a dead little girl
But ruffles and laces
And candy sweet faces
Directed your furtive hand
I perfectly understand
So it’s my fault?
No, Gothic Lolita
Thank you, kind sirs
You’ve made me what I am today
A bundle of broken nerves
A mouthful of words I’m still afraid to say
I don’t mind telling you
Now that I’m old enough to love
I couldn’t begin to even if
My pretty life depended on it
And funny thing, it does
Call off the search
We’ve found her
If I am Lolita
Then you are a criminal
And you should be killed
By an army of little girls
The law won’t arrest you
The world won’t detest you
You never did anything
Any man wouldn’t do
I’m Gothic Lolita
And you are a criminal
I’m not even legal
I’m just a dead little girl
But ruffles and laces
And candy sweet faces
Directed your furtive hand
I perfectly understand
So it’s my fault?
No, Gothic Lolita
I am your sugar
I am your cream
I am your anti-American dream
I am your sugar
I am your cream
I am your worst nightmare
Now scream
If I am Lolita
Then you are a criminal
And you should be killed
By an army of little girls
The law won’t arrest you
The world won’t detest you
You never did anything
Any man wouldn’t do
I’m Gothic Lolita
And you are a criminal
I’m not even legal
I’m just a dead little girl
But ruffles and laces
And candy sweet faces
Directed your furtive hand
I perfectly understand
So it’s my fault?
No, Gothic Lolita
10 Dead Is the New Alive (05:04)
Dead is the new alive
Despair’s the new survival
A pointless point of view
Give in, give in, give in, give in
You play the game
You never win
Dead is the new alive
Life’s only living rival
A casket built for two
Give in, give in, give in, give in
You play the game
You never win
So take me now or take me never
I won’t wait
You’re already late
So say goodbye or say forever
Choose your fate
How else can we survive?
Dead is the new alive
Dead is the new alive
A gothic play revival
The last act of the show
Give in, give in, give in, give in
You play the game
You never win
So take me now or take me never
I won’t wait
You’re already late
So say goodbye or say forever
Choose your fate
How else can we survive?
Dead is the new alive
What is a day without a blessed night?
And what is peace without a blessed fight?
What is a day without a blessed night?
And what is peace without a blessed, blessed, blessed fight?
A quick taste of the poison, a quick twist of the knife
When the obsession with death
The obsession with death becomes a way of life
A quick taste of the poison, a quick twist of the knife
When the obsession with death
The obsession with death becomes a way of life
Alive, alive, alive
Oh oh oh oh oh
Alive, alive, alive
Oh oh oh oh oh
Alive, alive, alive
Oh oh oh oh oh
Alive, alive, alive
Oh oh oh oh oh
Dead is the new alive
Alive, alive, alive
Dead is the new alive
Alive, alive, alive
Alive
Dead is the new alive
Alive
Dead is the new alive
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