Wow. I first heard this band on the Jonathon Ross Show, then again at T in the Park and each time my reaction was the same. Wow. The debut album 'Lungs' is currently at #2 in the album charts, pipped only by Michael Jackson. The blend of Florence Welch's powerful and unique voice and inventive melodies create a sound I could listen to all day long - and indeed have done! Initially I thought the vocals were too choppy, too 'out of sync' with the music - difficult to describe really though not at all unpleasant. By the end of the first track 'Dog Days Are Over' I was hooked. I yearned to hear more, to submerse myself in the album. 'Rabbit Heart' will be familiar to most by now having spent the last 23 weeks in the UK charts peaking at #12. My favourite track from the album, 'Cosmic Love' blends big bass with haunting lyrics to create an epic sound which peaked the Irish charts at #2. This album has tremendous lyrics, as you may have guessed since I keep banging on about them, but it can be hard to find songs where the words fit so well but retain their meaning without becoming obscure. The topic of many tracks is death and violence, to which Florence comments "Well, what other subject is there? I remember realising that my parents were going to die and weeping. Weeping as if my father had actually died". The album finishes with a beautiful cover of 'You've got the Love', which ends a string of 13 fantastic and individual tracks.
If you like originality then you'll love Florence and the Machine.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Extra tracks and better sleeve, some good remixes of the most well known original tracks Disadvantages: Possibly enough room on one CD to incorporate all 20 tracks
Advantages: Very original artist, Great voice, Catchy pop/indie songs suitable for everyone Disadvantages: CD2 is a bit dissapointing and pointless, some tracks are a bit strange
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