By Jared Murray
Ceremonials is the second full-length LP from Florence + the Machine, a British band most well-known in America for their euphoric single “Dog Days Are Over.”
Ceremonials is not unlike its critically acclaimed predecessor Lungs; the band’s instantly recognizable mixture of heavy percussion, live instrumentation and strong vocals are extremely apparent on both albums. However, Ceremonials is the creation of a band more mature and eager to branch out of its compositional norms.
Album opener “Only If For A Night” sets the standard arrangement for most of the songs on the album: swelling violins, stomping drums and twinkling harp, all background to Florence’s echoing and ever-present vocals. Tracks “All This And Heaven Too” and “No Light, No Light” echo this formula to great success. The song “Heartlines” adds a tribal tone to this formula, and is easily one of the more enjoyable songs from the album.
Released as the first single from the album, the track “What the Water Gave Me” introduces a more rock-oriented sound which is something rarely heard from the band. The song slowly builds, first starting with just subtle electronics and drums and slowing adding boisterous guitars and cymbal crashes as it reaches its raucous climax four minutes later. A harp and guitar outro end the song on a hopeful note.
Not all of the tracks incorporate the band’s standard sound, and it is these tracks that often feel awkward and even out of place. Song “Seven Devils” stops the album’s flow with its predictable arrangements, but is quickly redeemed due to its cryptic lyrics and harmonic-obsessed violins. Track “Breaking Down” is a whole-hearted attempt at writing a simple pop song, but comes off as awkward despite its charming melodies. Song “Lover To Lover” is a great example of how the band adds small elements such as gospel music to their song writing, instead of a complete sonic overhaul, adding texture to the album.
As a whole, Ceremonials is a solid album by a band confident and willing enough to expand and add to their already successful sound. For other artists, musical growth may be a huge risk, but for Florence and her Machine, it comes naturally.