Modern Rock CD of the Month for November 2011:
Florence + the Machine’s, Ceremonials
Ceremonials honors the grandeur of Lungs as if acknowledging a national holiday, or creating a movie sequel. To extend the film metaphor, Ceremonials offers the aural equivalent to a sword and sandal epic, shot in Cinemascope and recorded in Sensurround. In the opening Only If ForNight Florence enters the track like Cleopatra, declaiming the lyrics for the masses with a vibrato that flaps like a flag in the wind. The backup singers suggest a cast of thousands throwing garlands in her wake. It sounds like something that should be performed not in a modern sports arena but at the Parthenon.
Naturally, this brings a certain camp element to the proceedings. Don t be surprised if, in time, Florence types are crowding the stage of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Still, the rarity of Florence s melodies, and the conviction in her voice, circumscribes the giggles. She s doing serious work here. Most notably, she s creating an aggressive style untethered to typical pop genres, like punk, metal or soul. Only one song, Lover to Lover, holds to a common sound, specifically 60s R&B. Even here, though, Florence informs the soul mama role with her own character one that s valiant, grand and most importantly, unique.
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