Florence and the Machine || Ceremonials

Florence and The Machine
Ceremonials
Label: Universal Republic
Released on: October 31st, 2011
Grade: 4 out of 5 Meatballs
Reviewed by: Rebecca “Bonks” Rothschild

I hope Florence Welch has an amazing insurance policy for those golden pipes of hers. There’s no mistaking that rich, distinctive voice, which is pretty good for a band that just popped up on the radar in 2009. The Dog Days Are Over was a mega smash with so much universal appeal that Europe and America alike were holding their breath for the next album.

Ceremonials definitely takes your breath away with its dramatic sound. One of my favorite things about Florence and The Machine is the equal emphasis on both her amazing voice and the atmospheric music behind it. Ceremonials is like a beautiful night at the symphony, as the album incorporates a lot of strings and even some brass. Every track is brimming with amazing production quality while it focuses on one decisive mood. The buzzed-about single “Shake It Out” is definitely a great listen and really embodies the album's consistent message of putting one foot in front of the other no matter the opposition. A few other tracks I’m fond of are “What the Water Gave Me” and the very interesting “Strangeness and Charm,” which demonstrates her willingness to play with the instrument that is her voice. In the grand tradition of lady singers like Florence, who lean towards the femme audience, you will no doubt hear several of these songs on chick flick previews in the future, but please don’t let that take away from her legitimacy. This is an absolutely beautiful album. I really enjoyed the added bonus of the three acoustic renditions of “Shake It Out,” “Heartlines,” and “Breaking Down.” This could definitely be classified as a war cry for the ladies, but if you’re just a fan of beautifully composed music, I think you’ll find it really amazing.