I’ve actually been looking to write this one for some time now, ever since I became obsessed with this band, and now finally with the big F I saw a good time to. In the first draft of this I focussed on the Album review, but now I’ll just focus on their music as a whole.
In this post I’ll look to only touch three subjects, not to make it as long as the last. These will be who they are, what kind of music they play and a little insight on what makes them special, and lastly why I like them.
So from the beginning, Florence and the Machine is an alternative rock/indie pop band consisting of Florence Welsh, the lead singer, and her backing band the Machine. That’s who they are, now on to the long part.
The singer, Florence, is the front person and was even nominated British Female Solo Artist (which I do not understand at all). She can hit high notes and has a full, strong voice. She being nominated for that award really left me startled, it’s like voting Dave Matthews for best male solo artist, it’s just weird, since it’s a band, and the people playing the instruments are just as important (especially here). Why I say this is because they really are. Florence has an amazing voice, but what gives their music singularity and that edge over everyone else (winning them Best Album at the BRIT Awards 2010 for Lungs). The first thing that sets them apart is the harp. Not only is it not used practically at all in bands, but also here it’s used perfectly, setting the mood in many of their songs. Other than that the band entails a guitar, a keyboard and drums. In the end it’s the mix of the unusual instrument with the ones that one hears all the time that makes the whole sonority of the band so unique.
Now the last point: Why do I like them? It’s easy (yeah, right…) they are a band that calms me, excites me, makes me happy and gets me to think about them, basically all I look for in a band. For all the references, all one needs is a good listen to “Lungs”. The opening song of the album “Dog Days are Over” offers a calming start, excites you half way through and leaves you with a smile on your face, brought to light because of the harp, right at the end. Changing the pace, the next song is quite dark, but so upbeat that it makes you want to move, before you listen and think about the lyrics, which are quite fearful, portrayed by the rabbit heart. The album goes on with upbeat and more feeling songs bringing a whole spectrum of emotions. The songs I like the most though are Drumming Song, for the rawness of the song, Cosmic Love, for its depth, and Rabbit Heart for the mystery and fear about the future, which is something most people are weary about.
That makes two F’s…third one on its way. Enjoy and feel free to comment something other than spam.
