Released 6th July, Island Records


Florence Welch, the mastermind behind Florence and the Machine, is strange. Make no qualms about it – this lady is completely loopy. Sounding like an obscure concoction of Kate Bush, Siouxsie Sioux, Cyndi Lauper and just a dash of Dave Gahan she is, undoubtedly, the musical equivalent of Marmite.

But love her or hate her you cannot deny that Welch is causing a stir in the music world. In fact, it’s no surprise that she’s hotly-tipped to win this years Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize. Deservedly so.

Her debut album, Lungs, is a Tim Burton fairytale of werewolves, blood and a boy who builds coffins (who she promises will some day make one for you). Quirky, screechy and at times downright scary, this is not an album for the fainthearted but for those of us gifted with lion-hearts its addictiveness is instantaneous. But what else would you except from someone who started out their singing career performing at family funerals when she was seven?

This is an album that lacks a weak track though, in reality, nothing about Florence Welch could ever be described as weak. Her voice powers through every track like a tsunami, and every song is as hard-hitting and memorable as the next. First single ‘Kiss with a Fist’, inspired by a fiery couple that Welch knows, might sound a bit indie compared to the rest of the album but matched with its peculiarly menacing lyrics – “a kick to the teeth is good for some/a kiss with a fist is better than none” - it can be easily be forgiven. The much played ‘Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up)' is a harp-fuelled masterpiece that is guaranteed to excite your musical soul.

But take my advice and don’t even try to pick a favourite track off Lungs; there are just far too many immense tracks to try and whittle it down to one. Every song is laden with delicious metaphorical lyrics which at times are scarily accurate in their accounts. ‘Howl’, ‘Drumming’, ‘Hurricane Drunk’ – all amazingly varied and fabulous songs.

This album is a serious contender for the album of 2009. Actually it screams album of the year more and more with every listen. And if you haven’t heard it yet well… Where the hell have you been?!

Have you also been taken in by the wonder that is the Machine? Will she come out trumps at the Mercury's? Discuss the latter HERE    

Posted In Album Reviews, Jul 25 2009. Words - Steph