Monday, July 06, 2009

Florence & The Machine - JC Report review



Put A Record On: Florence And The Machine Steal The Scene
July 6th, 2009 | London

Florence Welch's ginger locks may be a fierce aesthetic attribute, but the London chanteuse's musical prowess with backing band The Machine is in a category all its own. On debut album Lungs, Welch's siren call pulls eager listeners into the lull of her infectious brand of indie-pop.

Florence has spent most of 2009 trying to live up to accolades and expectations brought on by lavish praise from the likes of NME, BBC and The Guardian. The media hype machine can be cruel, but Welch's combination of talent, style and attitude has ensured Lungs a good chance of survival.

First single "Kiss With A Fist" could be a horrible tale of domestic violence, but it still sounds terrific with a distinctive rock-vibe suggestive of The White Stripes' classic stylings. The rest of the album is much mellower, featuring highlights such as the brilliant "Dog Days Are Over" and "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)." Lungs also spotlights a cover—a surprise for a studio album—with The Source and Candi Stanton's "You've Got The Love." Welch might claim a machine to pump her lungs full of sound, but there is no doubt she is capable of all this without artificial help.

Lungs is out now, more info at www.myspace.com/florenceandthemachinemusic.

—David Hellqvist

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