New Music From Florence And The Machine
Florence just isn't another Amy Winehouse clone.
The influx of female British singer-songwriters has been a bit blinding as of late; but it’s not that the fantastic music and pretty little faces aren't welcome. Why should the pock-faced Brit boys have all the fun? Really guys, there's only so many Libertine/Arctic Monkey-ish bands the scene can take. In regards to the ladies, the cool thing I should mention is the exceptional quality with the quantity. Lily Allen, Amy Winehouse, Bat For Lashes and Laura Marling have written some the best songs of the past three years. We can now add an unsuspecting fiery haired siren named Florence Welch to that list.
Florence Welch (aka Florence And The Machine) isn't just any art school drop out who decided to quit school to make music. You may sometimes see Florence play solo shows with the aid of a trash can for percussion, but most times she is backed with a full band which includes Lightspeed Champion's Dev Hynes.
Combining the strength and subtlety of singers like Sinead O'Connor and Beth Orton, Florence Welch sings like a frightened child whose life may depend on hitting that perfect note. "The Dog Days Are Over" is her latest single courtesy of Moshi Moshi. The chorus explodes with passion and the verses retreat into the wilderness. The Bohemian theme of "chucking it all" and becoming one with the Earth is also evident in the mildly creepy music video that accompanies one of the years most uplifting songs. Too bad this song came out so late in the year, it would have made a great campaign track for President-Elect Obama.
Her yet to be named album will be in stores May 2009 courtesy of Island Records.
Posted by Joe Roth on Dec 03, 2008 @ 7:00 am
