Ceremonials Celebrates Female-Fronted Groups
Album Artwork from http://www.islandrecords.co.uk/release.php?id=314
Mary Alice Schultz, Reporter
January 23, 2012
Filed under Reviews/Opinions
It’s only been a few years since I have been obsessed with music. Of course I listened to it when I was younger, but that was when I was interested in singers like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Sure, they were the popular artists at the time, but there was something about them that compelled me to listen. That something was raw talent. But as my tastes in music changed, the music itself changed as well. Artists whose voices were accompanied by auto-tune began to rise to the top of the charts. Rap and songs with rap solos increased in popularity. Music became more about the catchy beats or dirty lyrics, and talent was overlooked.
Yet, I’ve seen some interesting changes in the music industry lately. Adele seems to be competing with Lady Gaga for popularity. Artists such as Ellie Goulding and LIGHTS are steadily becoming more well-known. It’s common knowledge that bands with strong female vocalists such as Evanescence and Florence & The Machine are making huge comebacks. Could it be that talent now counts in the music industry?
My hopes for the music industry rose higher last fall when I was able to listen to Florence & The Machine’s new album, Ceremonials. I’d been a fan of the band for quite a while, but hadn’t really heard much more than their three biggest hits.
However, the new album still caught and held my attention. The first song, “Only If For A Night,” didn’t feel like a song that would start an album. But in this case, it worked. The song builds you up, captures your attention, and prepares you for the rest of the album. Its whimsical harmonies, trance-inducing beats, and dreamy vocals set the tone for the whole album.
Florence Welch’s powerhouse voice seems more natural throughout this album. While the band’s first album, Lungs, had more of an alternative rock edge to it, Ceremonials feels much more calm and laid-back. Instead of singing catchy little songs like “Kiss With A Fist” (I love that song, but come on, she’s done so much better), Welch belts out truly powerful songs such as “What The Water Gave Me” and “Heartlines” (two of my personal favorites). Songs such as these reminded me of “Cosmic Love”, one of my favorite songs from Florence & The Machine’s debut album.
Ceremonials has its fair share in both powerful ballads and slower, more laid-back melodies. However, three of the most powerful songs are at the beginning, which makes the rest of the album seem to drag. I’d recommend listening to this album on shuffle instead of listening to every single track in order. That way, you’ll more than likely get an even mix of songs.
All in all, Ceremonials is an excellent album; it’s truly a unique gem. Florence Welch’s raw talent shines brighter than ever. I predict even more success for this alternative rock goddess – but I also have a feeling that she’ll start a solo career eventually. With all of that talent, it would be more than easy for her to ditch her band in order to compete with artists such as Adele, Ellie Goulding, and the like. (But who says she should?)
Click here to check out Florence & The Machine’s website and their new album Ceremonials.
Loading ...