Florence and the Machine – Lungs
Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010
When it rains, it pours. The last few weeks have continued to be filled with frustrations, the biggest of which has been a problem with the service that manages my mailing list. Having tried every reasonable solution I could find on the internet plus suggestions from computer professionals, I’ve finally found a temporary fix. (I’ve since learned the problem has affected other bloggers around the world.) When I was ready to give up, I, once again, turned to music to sooth the stresses. Unfortunately, I’ve been so out of it that I completely forgot to tell you about this must-have CD, Florence and the Machine’s Lungs.
I’ve been listening to this debut release from British siren Florence Welch and her supporting band for several months and can’t get enough of it. Apparently, the rest of the music industry world is feeling the same. She’s slowly been racking up prestigious worldwide awards, including a recent BRIT award and Meteor award for “Best International Band.” Once you’ve picked up a copy of Lungs, I’m sure you’ll agree she’s worthy of these accolades and more.
Lungs has a serious disturbing quality about it, which it part of the reason I find it so appealing. She’s simultaneously relevant, dark, open, direct and otherworldly. It sounds like the result of abandoning Welch in a forest and allowing her to release her emotional demons. I’m sure it was a cathartic experience for her but bearing witness to the scarier aspects of the artistic mind can cause one to shudder. “Bird Song” (available on the Lungs deluxe version) is one of the darkest songs I’ve heard in a long time. But like a beautiful painting, I admire the results and try not to dwell too much on the exorcistic process required to reach such artistic heights.
In the end, Lungs served another purpose. Each track is filled with so much raw expression, it caused me to want to release emotionally. Something we all need to do periodically. Let it all out! Scream like a banshee until there’s nothing left. I love her in the same way I love Tim Burton, Laurie Anderson, Bjork, Salvador Dali and Janelle Monae. They each go beyond creating work to creating experiences. It’s a special gift.
Ready to release some inner demons? This is the CD for you. So Release! Release! Release! … but stay indoors, especially if you plan on running around naked. 
Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)
Drumming
Girl With One Eye
My Boy Builds Coffin
When I come across interesting music-related articles, I usually just share them with followers on Twitter and Facebook. But when I came across this article, I had to put it on the site because it’s a list that includes one of my favorite bands from 2009, 
Those familiar with my musical tendencies already know I’m not a big fan of Christmas music. It’s not some politically-correct bent about the commercialization of Christmas (and other holidays, for that matter). Nor is it an anti-religious thing. It’s something very simple. I was born on December 28th and have been cheated by the season all my life. (I know it’s bitter but I gotta let it out.)
I get several music recommendations daily. It takes a major chunk out of my day but I listen to everything I receive. Unfortunately, listening to so much bad music sometimes leaves me not very optimistic about the quality of non-mainstream music. Don’t get me wrong. I want everything I receive to be great but I generally prepare myself for something only the musicmakers and their mothers could love. So when this recommendation arrived, I prepared myself for more of the same. 
Need a little drum-n-bass in your electronica mix? Want to experience the seemingly incompatible combination of hyperspeed beats and mellow grooves? If you do (and trust me, you want this), Etro Anime is exactly what you need. I have been promising this one to my number one Twitter cheerleader 
Last year I recommended one of the earlier CDs from Icelandic singer/songwriter Emiliana Torrini. At the same time I became familiar with her music, I came across the band Leaves, because they were her opening act during her tour. The discovery was perfect timing because Breathe was the perfect compliment to Coldplay’s debut CD, which I was playing continuously at the time. 
Nothing beats a little soul music to brighten a down day. And when you want the good stuff, you have to go to the hotbeds, where the riches are plentiful. Motown…Philly…Memphis…Spain. Huh? Yeah, I said it. SPAIN!!! You didn’t know? Well, let The Pepper Pots spit a little sassiness your way and show you how they do it in Catalonia. 
