CD Review
EMILIE AUTUMN: CHAMBERMAID LIMITED EDITION EP
(preview of the full length Traitor Records album "Enchant", c. 2001)
by Joseph Filipak, ChicagoGigs

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.