Now, I may be a member of the music press, but I never guess a band’s sound after hearing just its first demo song. I might as well read the title of a book and assume from there that I know the entire plot. The point is, We Are The Fallen now has an album called "Tear the World Down" for us to listen to and evaluate. And guess what? This band is not a copycat.

All right, perhaps "Tear the World Down" doesn’t offer anything fresh or innovative. At its essence, this album is radio-friendly alternative rock laden with strings and occasional piano and choral arrangements. However, what sets We Are The Fallen apart from other bands (even in the slightest way) is the delivery of its music. The symphonic bombast and gothic undertones are kept to a minimum; there are no goth-industrial drum machines and few hair-raising sound effects, and the lyrics discuss universal topics such as love and internal conflicts without getting too bleak or disturbing. Finally, Carly has a striking voice that’s powerful yet sensitive vocals and has no hint of classical training. The result is an earnest, natural-sounding record with less of the gloom and grandiosity we’re used to hearing from this genre. All of those subtle differences become more and more noticeable with each spin of "Tear the World Down."

The album’s kick-off song, "Bury Me Alive," is We Are The Fallen’s first single – and it’s a good choice. This hook-driven track is quite strong and effective. Carly shows great control of her voice here, belting out the chorus over ringing guitars and rolling drums while delivering the verses with tenderness. The song also has a one-minute outro of swaying strings that sounds pretty but unnecessary, as if it was added just for flair. Yet, all these elements make "Bury Me Alive" compelling enough for listeners to want to hear more.

And there’s a reward for those who listen to "Tear the World Down": The rest of the album is not a tenfold regurgitation of "Bury Me Alive." Instead, We Are The Fallen has chosen to use a wide range of moods, techniques, and focal points, giving each song its own personality. The menacing "St. John" prickles with fear and repentance, while "Without You" plows through its three-minute span with lively piano-playing, undulating drums, and confident lyrics about moving on after a bitter break-up: "I step into the sunlight / Fueled by rage and delight / There’s no place for weakness / I’ll forget your sweet kiss."

The focus on diversity doesn’t work for all of the songs, however. "Through Hell" has a weird, soulful feel that doesn’t mesh with the rest of the album. "Burn" fizzles with white-noise-like guitars and vocal melodies that sound similar to those in "Bury Me Alive," which precedes "Burn." The double-kick drums and the children’s choir in the bridge are nice touches, but just not enough to add that memorable spark.

We Are The Fallen’s desire for variety also comes through in the ballads. You’ve got a slow-burner with terrific melodies ("Paradigm"), a piano-guided lullabye ("Sleep Well, My Angel"), and a moving soliloquy over a soft bed of strings ("I Am Only One"). On the two latter tracks, Carly once again shows her preference to sing with careful emotion rather than all-out power. As for the title track, it’s the album’s deal sealer. This heavy, desolate ballad takes the listener on a thrill ride that begins with the quiet tuning of strings and then soars to stratospheric heights. It’s a true highlight, a mountain-moving epic you almost wouldn’t expect from this band.

In fact, "Tear the World Down" the album isn’t quite what anyone expected it to be – in a good way. While it does revisit terrain that we’ve already toured many times, it diverges slightly from the path that even I expected We Are The Fallen to take. The subtle musical differences from other popular female-fronted bands, combined with the raw and balanced sound and the strength and range in the songs, give the impression that Carly, Ben, and their bandmates know exactly what they’re doing. Could you call it emulation of Ben’s previous band? Possibly. Imitation? Not exactly. All anyone needs in order to enjoy "Tear the World Down" is an open mind and the ability to judge fairly. And, in the end, perhaps you, too, will be surprised by how much you like this album.

8 / 10

Recommended for fans of Evanescence, Within Temptation, or Stream of Passion, or for anyone who enjoys mainstream or alternative female-fronted rock/metal.

Best Songs: "Tear Down the World," "I Am Only One," "St. John"

"Tear Down the World" is should be available soon in the Sonic Cathedral store. However in the mean time, you can find it at music stores and iTunes in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, as well as on Amazon.com.