Origin (Evanescence album)
Origin is the first demo album by the American rock band Evanescence. It was self-released[1] in 2000, with approximately 50 copies having been made.[2] The Bigwig Enterprises website sold the demo album in limited numbers.[3]
Origin | ||||
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Demo album by | ||||
Released | November 4, 2000 | |||
Recorded | 2000 | |||
Studio | Sound Asleep Studio | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 45:33 | |||
Label | Bigwig Enterprises | |||
Producer |
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Evanescence chronology | ||||
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Singles from Origin | ||||
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Background
Manufactured by a friend, this rough-draft full-length debut had only a few thousand copies made of the album and were being sold for US$400 on eBay immediately following Fallen's release.[4] Although it is commonly referred to as a full-length album, lead vocalist and co-founder Amy Lee refers to it as a "dressed up" demo CD, and urges fans to simply download the album, rather than purchase it.[5][6]
It contains earlier versions of "Whisper", "Imaginary", and "My Immortal", which appeared on the band's debut studio album, Fallen, as well as a re-recorded version of the track "Where Will You Go", which previously appeared on the Evanescence EP released in 1998. One known track omitted was "Catherine"[2][7]. "Anywhere" originally featured Ben Moody as backup vocals rather than David Hodges found on the official vinyl release.
Release
Origin was released commercially for the first time in December 2016 as a part of The Ultimate Collection vinyl box set.[8] In an interview, Lee explained why she included it on the box set:
It's something I've always cringed about because ever since we made a real studio album and honed in our sound and became Evanescence and made Fallen, I'm like, 'OK, everything before this we were just practicing.' But many fans love Origin and talk about Origin and wish Origin would be released. I've been against it for 13 years, but for the first time I guess I have enough separation from it to look at it and feel like, 'Y'know what? I see why that's cool. As a fan, I want to listen to that too.' So having that whole change of heart was really huge.[9]
Singles
"Whisper" was released as the lead single from Origin, and was also released on their debut album Fallen.[10]
Critical reception
Spin magazine's Melissa Maerz graded the album two out of five stars and wrote, "Manufactured by a friend, this rough-draft full-length debut features stripped down versions of Fallen hits such as 'Whisper' and 'My Immortal'."[4]
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Origin" (intro) | Amy Lee, Ben Moody, David Hodges | 0:35 |
2. | "Whisper" (Origin version) | Lee, Moody, Hodges | 3:56 |
3. | "Imaginary" (Origin version) | Lee, Moody, Hodges | 3:29 |
4. | "My Immortal" (Origin version) | Moody, Lee, Hodges | 4:26 |
5. | "Where Will You Go" (Origin version) | Lee, Moody, Hodges | 3:46 |
6. | "Field of Innocence" | Moody, Lee, Hodges | 5:13 |
7. | "Even in Death" | Lee, Moody, Hodges | 4:09 |
8. | "Anywhere" | Moody, Lee, Hodges | 5:18 |
9. | "Lies" (featuring Bruce Fitzhugh) | Lee, Moody, Hodges | 3:49 |
10. | "Away from Me" | Lee, Moody, Hodges | 3:30 |
11. | "Eternal" (Instrumental) | Lee, Moody, Hodges | 7:22 |
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of Origin.
Evanescence
- Amy Lee – vocals, piano
- Ben Moody – guitar, programming, engineer, mixing
- David Hodges – piano, keyboard, vocals
Additional musicians
- Will Boyd – bass on "Away from Me"
- Bruce Fitzhugh and Stephanie Pierce – vocals on "Lies"
- Suvi Petrajajrvi, Sara Moore, Catherine Harris and Samantha Strong – female vocal ensemble on "Field of Innocence"
Technical
- Ardent Studios – mastering
- Soundforge – recording technology
References
- Sanneh, Kelefa (August 3, 2006). "Evanescence And The Killers Get Ready For Their Encores". The New York Times. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- D'Angelo, Joe (February 27, 2004). "Evanescence: The Split". MTV News. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved October 10, 2007.
- Spencer, Josh (December 20, 2000). "The Phantom Tollbooth Review". Phantom Tollbooth. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
- Maerz, Melissa (October 2006). "She sold more than 15 million albums with Evanescence, only to find herself in abusive relationships". Spin. 22 (10): 70. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
- DeBarros, Anthony (May 8, 2003). "Evanescence lands someplace special". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
- McCabe, Ryan (July 3, 2003). "Debut album shows progression of alternative band". The Jambar. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
- "An Interview With Amy Lee...Exclusive!". EvanescenceWebsite.com. October 1, 2007. Archived from the original on October 5, 2007.
- Bowar, Chad (October 11, 2016). "Evanescence to Release 'The Ultimate Collection' Vinyl Box Set in December". Loudwire. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
- "Evanescence's Amy Lee Talks 6-LP Vinyl Collection & Possibility of a New Album". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-11-17.
- "EVANESCENCE ANNOUNCES MAJOR LABEL RECORDING DEAL". 2003-02-07. Archived from the original on 2003-02-07. Retrieved 2017-05-24.CS1 maint: BOT: original-url status unknown (link)
- "Rarebird's Spotlight Review #24". rarebird9. Retrieved March 3, 2017.