The first time I heard a song by Florence + the Machine was last September, at the world premiere of Jennifer’s Body at the Toronto International Film Festival. The song made such an impression on me that I even used the song for my Song Lyric of the Day the morning after. I added “Kiss With a Fist” to my iTunes library and even though I had the song in heavy rotation, I didn’t think much more about the artist or the song until I heard it used in the bully episode of Community. Suddenly I just had to listen to more by Florence + the Machine. Fortunately, Lala (RIP) was still around and I was able to preview the deluxe edition of the debut album Lungs. Guess what I ended up using one of my iTunes gift cards for immediately after? I haven’t stopped listening to the album since. “Kiss With a Fist” is arguably the biggest “rocker” on the album, with most of the songs much more soulful and introspective. I particularly like “My Boy Builds Coffins,” which plays like a mournful tale that could’ve been written or inspired by Tim Burton. And I love the soulful, cautionary tale “Girl With One Eye.” But what really keeps me listening to this album over and over is lead singer Florence Welch’s phenomenal voice. Seriously — I LOVE this woman’s voice. Just listening to her sing makes me happy.
The song that got me started on Florence + the Machine, “Kiss With a Fist“:
The amazing cover of The Source and Cadi Station’s “You’ve Got the Love”:
And my absolute favorite song on the album, which I listen to almost every morning on my drive in to work, “Dog Days Are Over”*:
Now go buy the CD or download the album. Trust me, it’s money well spent.
*VH1 has been airing an alternate — and I’m guessing newer — version, but I prefer the original.