Florence and the Machine really hit the indie scene hard and fast with their debut album Lungs and now Ceremonials does not disappoint as a follow up album whatsoever. They started right where they left off with unique and beautiful indie pop vocals on top of strong simplistic piano parts and driving tribal drum beats. They have further developed their anthem style songs which so many indie fans love so much. Overall, the musical aspects of Ceremonials are a bit darker in nature than Lungs, but the complexity has increased and the musicianship and instrumentation is to die for. If this band's first two albums are any indication as to where this band is heading, then Florence and the Machine is going to be successful for a very long time.
Ceremonials starts off with the song Only If For A Night which starts off slowly with piano and harp and immediately showcases Florence Welch's unique vocal style before erupting into the upbeat driving song which works perfectly as an opening to the album. The off-beat drums drive the song forward while giving it a tribal feel which has given Florence and the Machine an original identity. The string parts, piano parts and backing vocals give it an orchestral feel as well which really sets the pace for an album with a very full sound. The next song, Shake It Out, is the first official single from Ceremonials and it starts off in a similar way to the first track which makes the album start to flow smoothly. In the chorus you immediately hear the epic anthem style lyrics backed by sustained bass and catchy tribal style drums driving the song forward. What The Water Gave Me comes next which has an overall haunting feel to it while sounding beautiful at the same time. There are a few breaks in the songs making way for perfectly placed builds into epic portions of the song. All in all these first three songs serve as a perfect opening.
Never Let Me Go starts off softly with piano and vocals and when the main part of the song kicks in it gives the listener an inspired and hopeful feeling. This song is not as upbeat as the previous three and really gives some contrast to the album and beautifully adds to the smooth flow. The backup vocals really add to an anthem style feel later in the song and I feel like this song would translate perfectly live. Breaking Down comes next starting off with a very happy xylophone/bells part which reminds me slightly of a Christmas jingle. The constant beat and string parts give the song a very upbeat catchy indie style. Lover To Lover sounds like a gospel tune which gives more contrast to the album without seeming out of place because of Florence's unique but consistent vocal style. No Light, No Light has another slow build to start the song off with ambient organ backing up the vocals until a sweeping harp part precedes the explosion into the body of the song. The body reverts back to Florence and the Machine's main style which is evident from the off-beat tribal style drums and anthem style vocals. The harp makes some unique appearances later on as the song softly comes to a close.
Seven Devils is probably the most haunting song on what can be described as a haunting album. The minor piano parts, string parts and powerful bass drum hits back up Florence Welch's vocals perfectly and help create one of the most powerful yet frightening songs I've ever heard from this band. Heartlines then gives some relief and contrast with perhaps one of the most catchy choruses on the entire album. The drums are incredibly powerful as they are in many of the other songs on Ceremonials and by the end they add to the driving anthem style which never seems to get old with this band. Spectrum is the next song with yet another slow build into an explosion of upbeat drums and epic vocals. This song showcases some unique instrumentation and musicianship with perfect placement of the harp as well as synthesizer and a very soft and slow close to the song.
All This And Heaven Too gives another very happy, inspiring and hopeful feeling, but adds contrast within the song with short changes to a slightly minor feel. The chorus then eliminates this minor feel immediately and really is one of the most happy sounding parts of the album. This is yet another song with perfect instrumentation with the strings, drums, bass and piano serving as an incredible foundation to Florence's awe inspiring vocals and lyrics. Leave My Body is the final track on Ceremonials and it serves as a great close to the album. It really showcases all of the unique capabilities of this band and driving anthem vocals which makes their music have such lasting appeal. There is great use of call and response lyrics within the choruses which points towards this song translating perfectly as a live number and possibly a show closer. The song slowly comes to a close with vocals transformed by effects giving a haunting, suspenseful feeling which makes the listener keep wanting more. The best solution is to listen to the album again which I have definitely found myself doing.
Florence and the Machine has a very unique sound due to Florence Welch's vocal style, but they develop this further with the use of great instrumentation and driving drum beats. Overall, I would rate the album as an 8.7 out of 10. If anyone was concerned that this band was going to be a one hit wonder, well first of all they should have listened to all of Lungs instead of listening solely to the single, Dog Days Are Over, but this second album further disproves that concern and shows that Florence and the Machine really does belong as a staple in the indie music scene. With epic anthem style songs that never seem to get old and a natural flow to their albums as well as in each individual song, this band should be around for a long time. This is a band that keeps the listener wanting more and the lasting appeal of their albums is quite refreshing for the period between albums. I for one cannot wait until I have the opportunity to see this band live, but I am not concerned because I know that I will have many opportunities in the future. With two incredible albums under their belt, Florence and the Machine have nowhere to go but forward.
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