Combine fire-red hair, a powerhouse voice and a stage presence rivaling that of Stevie Nicks and you get the dynamic Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine. While Top 40 radio pumps out songs for the dance club from female vocalists Katy Perry, Ke$ha and Lady Gaga; Florence’s Pop/Rock anthems command distinction by imploring you immerse yourself in her adrenaline infused passion.
Bold, loud and grand in scope, the tracks that make up the band’s debut album Lungs employ big drums and the imaginative use of a harp in addition to Florence’s dominant vocals. At times tackling Garage Rock and Soul in different tracks, the album is well constructed and well paced thanks to a trio of notable producers who helped shape this hi-fi sound. However, Florence is never one to be overpowered by production, if anything it seems that the music is trying to keep up with her!
In Florence’s world passionate energy has free reign. Lyrics convey a free spirit who is compulsive and raw, clever and coy. Shouting to the sky about lost love is balanced by fascination with the darkness of reality. Hardly a place for the hushed whispers and quiet suffering of singer/songwriters, “Florence Welch’s zeal for all things bright and/or shiny comes off as its own act of rebel defiance.” (Ryan Dombal, Pitchfork)
How do you think Florence stacks up to the ladies that are currently dominating Top 40? Is all that energy too much or do you welcome her zeal?
If you like: No Doubt, Metric, Paramore, Ladyhawke, The Ting Tings
Check out: Florence and the Machine
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