An Acoustic Night At The Theatre [Import]

Within Temptation | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 17, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: 101 DISTRIBUTION
• ASIN: B002N7FIPK
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #314,393 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Towards The End - 03:27

2. Stand My Ground - 03:53

3. Caged - 05:19

4. All I Need - 05:20

5. Frozen - 04:31

6. Somewhere (Feat. Anneke van Giersbergen) - 04:19

7. The Cross - 04:57

8. Pale - 05:08

9. What Have You Done (Feat. Keith Caputo) - 04:33

10. Memories - 04:00

11. Forgiven - 04:42

12. Utopia (Feat. Chris Jones) - 03:49 (First Single)

Editorial Reviews

2009 acoustic live album from the female-fronted Dutch Symphonic Metal band. This album contains acoustic live tracks that were recorded during the band's sold out theater tour in November 2008. These were very special concerts, as the band added an acoustic set, making their show more intimate. Since the band received great responses to their acoustic tracks, the decision was made to officially release them unto the world. Roadrunner.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gorgeous, warm and intimate..., December 15, 2009

By 

Amanda (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: An Acoustic Night at the Theatre (Audio CD)

I wasn't sure how I felt when Within Temptation announced the release of An Acoustic Night at the Theatre -yet another live album with alternative versions of previous songs. After hearing these songs on albums and live on Black Symphony, I wasn't sure if I wanted to hear more of the same. I decided to try it out because I'm a hardcore WT fan -and was relatively happy with what I found.

Even though An Acoustic Night at the Theatre features songs we've all heard before, the acoustic spin was surprisingly enjoyable and gave songs a warmer, more intimate feel. I actually felt like I had some time to breath here, as opposed to Black Symphony, which was non-stop high-octane action from start to finish. An Acoustic Night at the Theatre also allowed for Sharon to show off just how beautiful her raw voice is (before studio production) and re-focus the energy of WT on her pure, angelic vocals.

I was, though, a little surprised (and slightly disappointed) by the track list here. Many of the songs chosen translated far too easily to acoustic since they were already slower paced, such as "Memories," "Forgiven," "Frozen," "The Cross" and "All I Need." I admit that I have to forgive the selection of "Somewhere" because I loved this version even more than the Black Symphony one -despite the fact that Anneke's vocals were recorded. Something about it just felt warmer to me -stronger and more sincere.

Other songs took a greater risk. For example, "What Have You Done" was very interesting to hear acoustically; while "Caged" was a bold and strangely engaging choice (even though it sounds so completely different) and "Stand My Ground" just seemed to lose its punch (part of what I originally liked about this song was the power behind it).

The only truly new item here is "Utopia," which was also released as a single. "Utopia" features a duet between Sharon and guest vocalist Chris Brown. While Sharon sounds as gorgeous as always, I wasn't too excited about the song -it just didn't have a unique sound to it and I found it to be kind of flat.

Generally, this CD is best for hardcore WT fans. While the songs sound a little warmer and more intimate (and are kind of a nice break after Black Symphony), they wouldn't appeal much to casual listeners or those who are new to the band or genre (I suggest going right to The Heart of Everything for these folks). But I have to admit -Sharon sounds like an opera angel here and her voice is mesmerizing.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, December 28, 2009

By 

Cody R. Powell (Ogden, Ut) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An Acoustic Night at the Theatre (Audio CD)

I love this album. It is warm, sincere, and powerful. The acoustic guitars and orchestral arrangements stand out and are in the spotlight like never before. This shows them in a more of a relaxed warm light and it is refreshing to hear it without the electric guitars. We get to see the background of the songs up close and personal in an intimate set, while in the studio albums it all blends together. Both approaches to the Within Temptation music are great, just different, and I believe this is why they have released this live cd.

I can understand reviewers saying that the songs on here are somewhat the same on their live dvd 'Black Symphony' and that they could have picked a different song line up. I understand this, but honestly what is the problem here? They picked songs from all three ablums, 'Mother Earth,' 'Silent Force,' and 'The Heart of Everything.' This acoustic album has 6 out of 12 songs that are not on 'Black Symphony.' Count them, that's half of the songs and the rest are the band's popular songs, give them a break will ya? Also part of it is a question on whether the band put out too much live material in between the studio albums. I personally don't think so. Also why are reviewers saying it's a problem to play a song that is acoustic based in an acoustic set??

If people are going to compare this to 'Black Symphony' lets get something straight. 'Black Symphony' is great but has an entirely different feel from this album. One it's a huge live concert, two it's an entire symphony backing the band, three the crowd is very loud, and four the band is under considerable pressure and the vocals are less than perfect. On the other hand 'An Acoustic Night at the Theater' is inimately focused and well recorded. Sharon's vocals are wonderfully precise, the orchestral arrangements able to be heard clearly and distinctly without blaring noise, (which happens at live rock shows, that's why acoustic sets are different) and there is very little noise from the respectful crowd (which I am thankful for).
I am not saying that 'An Acostic Night at the Theater' is better than 'Black Symphony,' I am saying that they are both different and shine in their unique ways.
This album brought tears to my eyes. I highly recommend it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty much where they had to go, January 31, 2011

By 

Paul Lawrence "'EJL'" (Australia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: An Acoustic Night at the Theatre (Audio CD)

After casually tossing off a couple of great symphonic rock albums (The Silent Force and The Heart of Everything) Within Temptation then owned the place with The Black Symphony. A spectacle of rare quality which, as the saying goes, was `bigger than Ben Hur'. Quite literally in some respects given that the video screen that backed the stage for that gig WAS in fact the largest ever used in Europe up to that time. So just how do you top such a stupendous example of musical shock and awe? Easy - you don't try. Within Temptation have here chosen to go in many ways into the opposite direction of bombast and excess by releasing a CD of recordings of acoustic versions of some of their symph rock classics.

And what are the results? Well pretty darn good all told. Sharon Den Adel sounds in fine voice here, her tone almost reedy somehow and piercingly fragile at times. The band - almost by definition in such a release - are somewhat to the rear on this CD though the overal instrumetation is bolstered by the presence of a string quartet. And it must be pointed out that sometimes the band does plug in those amps to create semi-acoustic presentations of some of the numbers.

Overall this CD works in allowing the listener to hear a different format of songs they probably already know in a way that works - always something to be aware of when bands try to do something different with songs their fans already love. The inclusion of some of the same guests from The Black Symphony set (Keith Caputo & Anneke Van Giersbergen) helps in a way to create a feeling of continuity with their recent past and adds variety to the vocal chores - I mean Sharon has a great voice but too much of even a good thing can be a problem at times too huh?

Taken in isolation this tastefully produced release is a fun album and perfect for when you want to play something in mixed company or when you don't want to crank something that will kill your goldfish. And topped off with the bonus new track of Utopia featuring Chris Jones - a track totally in keeping with the rest of the albums mellow remit it must be said. Taken in the context of their overall career this is a nice hiatus, you get the sense of a band taking a breath and taking stock. And taken in both contexts this CD is one any fan of Within Temptation will want in their collection.