Florence + The Machine

[nothingtoseehere]

I'm not too sure if I really really like this new album... It's got some pretty great tracks, but most of the songs sound a bit too similar to one another... I don't know. Maybe it's because I wasn't really paying attention the first time I listened to the album all the way through, but I feel like Flo just wails throughout most of the songs... :/ She's got an amazing voice, but sometimes I feel like she shouts a bit too much in this album... I dunno. Or maybe I'm just a bit overwhelmed by how grand everything sounds. All the songs seem to strive on being epic, it kinda leaves me a bit breathless after a few songs! I need to listen to the album a few more times to really appreciate each and every song on its own... Lungs is a really tough album to follow!

Only If for a Night took my breath away from the first minute! Breaking Down sounds a bit Christmassy to me. I like it! Spectrum is epic!

That Landscape demo is so amazing, it's one of my favourites! Wonder why it's just a demo. I'd probably prefer it that way, though, as I think the song sounds good in it's raw-er, quieter, less-produced shape.

 

[shred]

Just listened to the album and nothing stood out for me yet. It took me a few listens to get into Lungs and fall in love with it so I'll give my final verdict on Ceremonials after a few listens.

The only tracks that stood out for me on the first listen were Only If For a Night and All This and Heaven Too.

 

[Violet]

The only retarded thing people say here is that it's a cover of Glee.

WTF.

 

[the_escapist]

anyone can send me a PM with a link of the bonus tracks in 320 kbps?

 

[Abracadabra]

I'm on the verge of saying Ceremonials is actually better than Lungs.

 

[Corkus]

It was that way for me after the first listen, but as you know, first listens of any album are deceptive. So while some flaws have jumped out since then, I still place it slightly above Lungs, since I pointed out some problems with Lungs a few posts back. Ceremonials does flow a little better than Lungs, although the run of NLMG-BD-LTL is pretty flat without any momentum shift ("Lover to Lover" easily being the best of these 3, while I would have substituted the other 2 for "Strangeness and Charm" and "Bedroom Hymns" respectively).

"Bedroom Hymns" might be my new favorite Florence B-side, and not just because I heard it get soundchecked the day it was written.

 

[Cyan Kat]

I am in love with Landscape and the album as a whole is amazing, but I need a few more listens to compare it with Lungs

 

[neonhorn22]

Where can we get the B-sides????

 

[dry_pretzels]

Where can we get the B-sides????

For Ceremonials? They're on the deluxe edition.

 

[the_escapist]

anybody here can PM a link with the 320 kbps version of the bonus tracks?

Thanks!!!!

 

[Brent]

Can't wait to pick this up tomorrow! I've avoided the leaks

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Holy moly, I just realised how amazing Remain Nameless is. Corkus, you were right. It sounds a bit like a Radiohead tune... I love it!

 

[a-chan]

I love Remain nameless and Landscape too. She should have put Breaking dawn and lover to lover as b-sides and switch with them.
I'm still waiting for the album to arrive....What the post is doing?!

 

[Abracadabra]

I'm so addicted to the new album, 'Lungs' is being neglected, just as the rest of the albums I've dicovered this year. I must listen to the album at least twice a day. Can't wait to see her live.

 

[neonhorn22]

Okay, I mentioned in another thread that I live in a "podunk" town where the nearest reputable music store is 45 minutes away.

Well, I was able to get MX the day it was released at my local Walmart at 8:00 am, so why would Florence's new album be any different?? Seeing as its the day after her album was officially released, I figured I'd pick it up along with the grocery shopping. Here's what ensued:

Me to Random Electronics Walmart Employee: Hey, I couldn't find Florence and the Machine's newest album on your new release shelf. Do you have it?

REWE: Uh....who?
Me: Florence and the ma....
REWE: Oh! Florim(sp?)! We don't have Florim.
Me: Um, okay...thanks.

*pushes cart around until I find Another Random Electronics Walmart Employee*

Me: Hey, do you have Florence and the Machine's newest album? It came out yesterday.
AREWE: Did you check the new release shelf?
Me: Yes.
AREWE: Okay, come with me. *takes me to Florence and the Machine tab* Here you go.
Me: Uh, that's not the newest one.
AREWE: Yes, it is.
Me: No, it's not. "Lungs" is the old album.

Random Electronics Walmart Employee Who Was Eavesdropping: Did you want Florence and the Machine's newest album, "Ceremonials?"
Me: YES! *Thinking, "finally someone who knows what the hell they're talking about!"
REWEWWE: Yeah, she's not popular enough for us to stock the new album. We'll get it eventually, but probably not for another month or so.

Me:

 

[Abracadabra]

^Boooo! How disgraceful.

 

[neonhorn22]

Okay, album acquired. I've listened to it several times and I think it's so terrific.

I can't really say if it's better than "Lungs" or not, though. They both have such different vibes and both are so good. I'm getting a very modern retro vibe from "Ceremonials." It feels as though they took some of that 80's new wave sound and modernized it. I just dig it so much! My only issue (and it's not really that big of an issue) is the lack of harp in this album. In "Lungs" the harp was such a presence and I don't hear it much in this album.

I've also had a listen to the B-sides and some of the acoustics. Why are the B-sides always the best of that album's period?! And I just LOVE the acoustic version of "Shake it Out." Can't stop listening to it!

Overall, I adore Coldplay and really feel that MX is a solid album for them, but......"Ceremonials" is not only a better effort, but it's more enjoyable for me. It's very compelling and lovely!

 

[Brent]

I can't wait. I'm about to go to the store and pick it up.

 

[Corkus]

I am officially seeing Florence again in December in San Diego! (possibly twice if she plays the LA holiday show again) Got lucky and bagged a GA ticket. Can't wait to hear Ceremonials material live.

 

[shred]

I've been listening to it a few times now but for some reason I can't seem to get into it as much as I did with Lungs or even with []MX[/i]. Don't get me wrong, I like the album but at the moment I think Lungs is better.

My only issue (and it's not really that big of an issue) is the lack of harp in this album. In "Lungs" the harp was such a presence and I don't hear it much in this album.

Oh I agree! I miss the harps a lot in this album.