Florence + The Machine "Ceremonials"

Many wonder “If Only For A Night” we can spend time with our crush, and just show them how we feel, or show them we can be their significant other. Others would like to see what it’s like to experience something with them; which sounds like it’s the case with the opener, and there isn’t anything wrong with that. When a band finds what they are best at, they sometimes settle for something inferior to their potential; sometimes they need to take their sound and “Shake It Out.” This song is one of their most vibrant, completely single-worthy, due in part to the percussion; I can see it scoring this epic ballroom scene set during the renaissance. The next song has just the right amount of instrumental accompaniment where it is not like wearing five layers during the summer. “What The Water Gave Me” was a downbeat, goth-tinged, vocally-focused, emotional waterfall making it real difficult to walk this tightrope!! The last minute has a subtle dance rhythm, and fine finish. My ear’s tastebuds started “Breaking Down” when they were graced by those first piano notes; because this song had a different aural flavor. “Lover To Lover” would be worth trying if you’re a fan of funk, soul, and doo-wop; except the piano takes the reins in creating that type of sound over bass or guitar. There is “No Light, No Light” just much harp, and “Would you leave me/If I told you what I've done?/And would you need me,/If I told you what I've become?” Heavy! The next song is a trip through the seven circles of h3ll, as Flo encounters “Seven Devils” trying to steal the heart of her lover as she proclaims: “They can keep me out/'Til I tear the walls/'Til I save your heart/And to take your soul/For what has been done/Cannot be undone/In the evil's heart/In the evil's soul.” The song is eerie, no doubt, but sounds more like heaven than hell. The “Heartlines” on the hand that beats seems to be following a quicker pace and has a love for  tambourines keeping a consistent rhythm throughout. I am in love with this next song I will admit: the galloping drums, those vocals, the harpeggio, disco rhythms underneath the orchestral flourishes, and as you soar across the “Spectrum” you wish you could go just one more time! Great News! You Can! No matter how educated one is they cannot understand it without being commanded. That is basically what the next song is about, you can have everything in the world, but without love you still feel empty. Florence could have great friends, family, riches, tremendous talent, but says she would give “All This and Heaven Too” just to understand the heart; that seems odd because if she gave all that up, then what use would it be to understand her heart? Would she still be able to? “Leave My Body” is more talk than anything else. It’s a good ending for the album, but I prefer it as the precursor the first bonus track, which would like to “Remain Nameless.” OOOPS, sorry, but you will not be sorry for listening to this song; ok, I was not disappointed, but I’m not sure how you will feel. The next song is a little eerie, but also has some “Strangeness and Charm.” For the previous, the vocals soar, and it seems perfect to score a scene documenting a soul slowly ascending to heaven. We’re is not sure if it is time though; indecision takes over as the soul is torn between two worlds. The latter is kept going by that percussive handclap, some synth at one point, and it does keep a steady balance of its namesake. These “Bedroom Hymns” seem to go from vaudeville (piano) to a vocal delivery that could be heard in a hard rock/metal song, and might sound better screamed “I'm not here looking for absolution/ Because I found myself an old solution.” My Favorites: Only If For A Night, Breaking Down, Lover To Lover, No Light, No Light, Heartlines, Spectrum, All This and Heaven Too, and Remain Nameless.