Evanescence?

They're back???
     So it looks like it's true, ladies and gents.  That band, the one you cried and head-banged to in junior high, the one that caused your ears to bleed in high school, is indeed back with a new single.  After five years since their last release, Evanescence is finally coming out with a new album at the beginning of next month. 

     I stumbled across this single and music video while randomly browsing iTunes, and I was pretty shocked that these rockers were even still together.  Yeah, I've heard they've gone through a couple of changes in the lineup, but seriously where is this coming from?  I will admit that I was a huge fan of Evanescence back when I was about twelve or thirteen.  However, they lost me with their somehow Grammy winning album, The Open Door.  There was just too much contrived pain and agony in those songs.  It was the kind of music you listened to when you wanted to feel depressed or give yourself some kind of street cred as a really dark souled metal kid.  When last hearing from them though, didn't it seem as though liking Evanescence had kind of become a joke?
     This is why I was mildly surprised when hearing this song.  It somehow, in a weird way, is surprisingly upbeat, not that that's a good thing.  The whole persona of Amy Lee and the rest of the clan is that they're supposed to be sad and dark.  Yet, this song is oddly bright and catchy.  The opening percussion rhythm is reminiscent of early 2000s pop punk bands and the chorus is melodically fun.  Then the hook "Do what you want, you want", is just one of those things you know that, after five seconds of listening to the song, will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day.  What I find so funny though is that, according to an MTV.com interview, the band claims that this album is heavier than others.  They definitely weren't convincing of that with this first single though.
     I'm utterly confused.  To me this sounds like a song that kids will be dancing and jumping around to while singing the lyrics into a hairbrush, but in the music video, Amy Lee still scares the heck out of me.  Even after being on the scene for about eight years, she still hasn't retired her dark eye makeup, flowy long skirts, or snarling at the camera.  It seems completely inconsistent with the sound of the song.
     Though I will say, Lee's voice is still monumental.  The melody is rather unique, and this classically trained artist could still rival many opera singers.  I also enjoy the lower harmony backing vocal on the chorus.  I mean, this girl can belt and there's no denying it.  I'm pretty sure it's the only thing that really gives Evanescence an even remotely individual sound.
     Overall, this band needs some more consistency.  I really still don't understand what they're purpose is for coming back and releasing this album.  Hopefully there are still some diehard fans of Amy Lee's voice out there that actually care about them returning.

Might I interest you in some nostalgia???
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YxaaGgTQYM

VOCAL RATING: 7
VIDEO: 3