Florence Welch is amazing. There is no room for argument.
Thanks to Channel 4 and rayofmystery on YouTube I have been able to listen to Ceremonials, the new album from Florence + the Machine, in it’s entirety. Wow. I’m probably not the best person to review this CD because I’m kind of biased towards this band. I absolutely love them. Lungs is definitely on of my favourite albums of all time, it is just spectacular. Whilst everybody told me that my beloved band were going to sell out this can prove them wrong. This album is a perfect follow up.
What’s struck me about Lungs was how dramatic and bold it was. It was versatile but also had something about it that made you say “that’s Florence and the Machine”. Those characteristics haven’t gone away and this album is even more daring and theatrical than the last. Songs such as Never Let Me Go and No Light, No Light (the best on the album in my opinion) come to the same soaring climaxes that we love by her but there’s something new about it too. There isn’t an undercurrent of same old, same old.
Only If for a Night and Leave My Body are tracks that prove to you that it’s impossible to not get completely swept away by the music. You will ‘lose yourself’ in it. It’s definitely got some ethereal and magical moments in it.
All of the Flo elements are there to make a stunning LP. It’s an intense and fabulous record that demands your listening. The gospel, choral and orchestral parts are still there to make your jaw drop to the floor. Florence, you are incredible.
Score: 10/10
A Cultured Lad 
Totally agree with your review, it’s not a sellout whatsoever! I’d be very grateful if you could check out my review! Thanks! http://conordcfc.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/music-album-review-florence-the-machine-ceremonials/
I’m gonna go listen to that now! Thanks!
Oh and I hope you don’t mind but I mentionned your name in my new post when talked a bit about this album- hope that’s okay! Just tell me if you want me to take it out 🙂
That’s so kind! As I said in the post, I love the song No Light, No Light so much! I’m glad you’re enjoying it. The rest of the album is also brilliant.
Please do! let me know what you think, it is so brilliant. Tickets to the UK Tour go on sale this Friday at 9AM. I think this album is certainly something special.
Forgive me for being so useless with replying! I’m a bit of an idiot and keep forgetting to check the box for ‘notify me of follow-up comments via email’ *sigh* And particularly now I’ve read what you said, I really wish I read it earlier! Gah! But thank you for telling me about the tour tickets anyway 🙂
And as for mentionning you in my post- that’s no problem at all! 😀
Haha, not a problem! We all do it.
They’re all sold out but you can go on viagogo.co.uk and see if there are any tickets.
It was very kind of you 🙂
I’m hardly qualified to critique music, but when I listened to this album on Spotify, I was rather disappointed. I love most of the songs on “Lungs,” yet I couldn’t think of one song from this album I’d be willing to buy on iTunes.
Really? Not one? No Light, No Light? Heartlines? Only If For A Night? I do firmly believe that this album has to have a lot of time spent with it. It’s a real grower. I just love this album so much! It felt to me as if she explored the sounds on Lungs from songs such as Cosmic Love or Blinding. Maybe try it again, but hey, each to their own!