Ceremonials

Bibliographic Information: Florence and the Machine. (2011). Ceremonials [Audio CD]. London: Island. ASIN: B005QKYIZ2

Summary and Evaluation:

“And it’s hard to dance with the devil on your back/

                                                So shake him off.”

A piano stabs the air as if from under water. A harp plucks a twinkling crescendo. Soon a soulful voice belts out the opening words and a tribal cascade of reverberating drums beat like a racing heart. Before you know it, an entire orchestra and choir are wrapping their soft arms around you in a dark embrace. The ethereal harmonies are haunting and can only be those of the maroon-haired Florence Welch—front woman and primary songwriter for the indie band, Florence and the Machine. Avoiding the usual revealing stage outfits of other pop artists, Florence can be seen in chin-to-floor chorus robes, and twirls around the stage in capes and flowing long dresses reminiscent of Janis Joplin. Her style is just as iconic as her sound.

Ceremonials is a somber lullabye that harkens images of deep blue oceans, and deeper dreams. The timbre of Florence’s voice will give listeners chills, and her lyrics explore both the darkest and warmest of human emotions: love, fear, death. Each song starts as a whisper and builds and builds into a climax of electrifying intensity and strings. 

Artist Information: Wikipedia states, “Florence and the Machine (stylised as Florence + The Machine) are an English indie rock band, consisting of lead singer Florence Welch, Isabella "Machine" Summers, and a collaboration of other artists who provide backing music. The band's music received praise across the music media, especially from the BBC, before they gained mainstream success. Specifically, the BBC played a large part in their rise to prominence by promoting Florence and the Machine as part of BBC Introducing.

The band's debut album, Lungs, was released on 6 July 2009, and held the number-two position for its first five weeks on the UK Albums Chart. On 17 January 2010, the album reached the top position, after being on the chart for twenty-eight consecutive weeks. As of October 2010, the album had been in the top forty in the United Kingdom for sixty-five consecutive weeks, making it one of the best-selling albums of 2009 and 2010. The group's second studio album,Ceremonials, released in October 2011, debuted at number one in the UK and number six in the US.

Florence and the Machine's sound has been described as a combination of various genres, including rock and soul. Lungs won the MasterCard British Album award at the 2010 BRIT Awards. At the 53rd Grammy Awards, Florence and the Machine were nominated for Best New Artist. Additionally, the band performed at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, and the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Concert."

Genre: Pop/Soul

Challenge Issues/Defense: N/A

Reason for Selection: Aside from topping Billboard charts around the globe and being nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the Grammies, Florence approaches pop music with emotional honesty and vivid artistry. This girl would rather hit a few bad notes in an intimate performance, than give into gimmicky lip syncing and flashy stage productions. She’s raw and full of energy and emotion. But most of all, she’s honest—and not many pop artists these days are. She’s a good role model, and a lot of teen girls admire her vintage style.