I’m lucky in that I am not told what album to review each month. I can choose. But this is a double-edged sword. Because life is short I generally try to review something that is actually enjoyable, rather than wasting time listening to music that drains me of the will to carry on and then telling the world about it. So a lot of time is spent unearthing a newish release of the requisite quality.

Nothing was capturing my imagination this month. I want to do a piece on Jack Parow, but first I want to really get to grips with it (I can barely speak a word of Afrikaans which doesn’t help) and time is short this month so I am going to get to it another time. I was bitching to the TBG (sorry to be such a name dropper) about this. He happened to mention Florence + the Machine’s album. I had skimmed over this last year but not really given it much thought, and another buddy had mentioned that it was chick’s music, which sealed my indifference.

Between Two Lungs by Florence + The Machine

But as many of 2oceansvibe readers know, when the TBG bequeaths a magical pearl of wisdom unto you, let alone glances your way, you take notice. Plus, as I write this it’s his birthday, so every word he utters on this special day is a blessed universal truth that holds even more gravitas than usual, if that’s even possible.

He casually mentioned that he really enjoyed their album. He acknowledged that it is chick’s music but then followed that statement up with the words,

“But I dig it.”

I basked in the glow of his oracular wisdom for a moment before literally diving for a special edition of Florence + the Machine’s debut album, Lungs – called Between Two Lungs – a new two-disc version with extra remixes and some live tracks from the iTunes Festival in ’10. I frantically unwrapped the album and force-fed my laptop with the TBG-approved CD.

Click ‘Continue Reading’ for the rest of this review.

Now, it’s possible that the album has taken on a whole new aura because of this serendipitous, epiphany-inducing moment with the great one, who knows? All I can say is that I listened to the whole album all the way through and was pretty astounded. I had no idea that Florence Welch could sing like this. She’s got such power in her voice that you are forced to listen. She also appears to be a true artist in the mould of Kate Bush, Cindi Lauper and maybe even Debbie Harry. Florence is clearly not the shy, retiring type and I can see how certain guys who are worried about being seen as macho might find her a little over-powering. She’s like an untamed animal, letting it all hang out and unselfconsciously making full use of her incredible voice. To be fair, opinions seem to be split right down the middle on this band. 50% of people think this is the most captivating performer for many years, the other 50 find it all too attention seeking and OTT. You could argue that all artists are attention seeking to some extent, but I don’t buy that. I reckon great artists somehow capture something inside us all, expressing themselves on our behalf because we just don’t know how.

There’s something iconic about this music. The original album has been around for about a year now so many of the songs are strangely familiar. The opener, Dog Days Are Over is one of those songs that is imprinted on our collective sub-conscience. I can’t put my finger on why, but it’s a classic. The next song, Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up) is equally captivating if you’re in the mood for a bit of melodrama. It reminds me of some of those big 80s pop songs by bands like Eurythmics, the previously mentioned Kate Bush and even Bonnie Tyler’s Turn Around, but in a good way.

And it’s not only the lead singer’s voice that has balls. The production on this album is truly powerful, many of the songs starting quiet then exploding into a vast wall of expansive sound. Personally, I dig it when music tests your speakers’ limits.

The other interesting thing is the subject matter. The songs aren’t about nasty boyfriends and broken hearts, they’re about violence and death. When questioned about this by the NME, Florence Welch responded: “Well, what other subject is there? I remember realising that my parents were going to die and weeping. Weeping as if my father had actually died.”

So, you get the idea. A sensitive type, but most great artists are. I think a good parallel to draw is the British rapper, Dizzee Rascal. Many people find him hard to listen to. Many people hail him as an urban poet and a very important artist. No one argues that he is a force to be reckoned with. And that’s what he has in common with Florence + the Machine. Which is why disc two on this album features them playing live together. Brilliant. If you haven’t heard this album I strongly recommend that you do, whether you’re a chick or a guy. But don’t take it from an earthly being like me. Take it from the TBG.