Top Ten Albums of 2011 - #05
Florence + The Machine's Ceremonials
Editor's Note: This is the 6th in a quasi-weekly series of reviews marking my favorite ten albums of 2011. New reviews go up every weekend through the end of the year.
As usual, it's hard to talk about the top few albums without talking about the reasons that they didn't make it any higher on the list. This year's albums fit themselves into three distinct groups. #8-10 are great, but not necessarily "must buys" for everyone. #5-7 should be picked up at your earliest convenience. #1-4 should be purchased before you buy groceries again.
So Ceremonials finds itself right on the edge of transcendence. Why just the edge? Here's a better question. Why on the earth would such an enormously talented woman saddle her artistic statement with a song like "Never Let Me Go"? This is particularly astonishing when you listen to the b-sides that accompany her deluxe edition (I'm looking at you, "Bedroom Hymns"). Somehow, the same woman who produced the dark gem that was her first album also created this album that's in the same vein, but ultimately marred by one cheerfully bright track and one or two punchless tunes elsewhere in the track list.
Also, what the hell is with the clipping/compression on her vocals in "Shake It Out"? Damn it, Flo.
Album highlights: Tracks 1-3, 5-8, 10, and 12. And make sure you get the deluxe edition. 2, 8, and 12 are the best of the best. See how evenly spaced they are? That's the mark of a good album.
As usual, it's hard to talk about the top few albums without talking about the reasons that they didn't make it any higher on the list. This year's albums fit themselves into three distinct groups. #8-10 are great, but not necessarily "must buys" for everyone. #5-7 should be picked up at your earliest convenience. #1-4 should be purchased before you buy groceries again.
So Ceremonials finds itself right on the edge of transcendence. Why just the edge? Here's a better question. Why on the earth would such an enormously talented woman saddle her artistic statement with a song like "Never Let Me Go"? This is particularly astonishing when you listen to the b-sides that accompany her deluxe edition (I'm looking at you, "Bedroom Hymns"). Somehow, the same woman who produced the dark gem that was her first album also created this album that's in the same vein, but ultimately marred by one cheerfully bright track and one or two punchless tunes elsewhere in the track list.
Also, what the hell is with the clipping/compression on her vocals in "Shake It Out"? Damn it, Flo.
Album highlights: Tracks 1-3, 5-8, 10, and 12. And make sure you get the deluxe edition. 2, 8, and 12 are the best of the best. See how evenly spaced they are? That's the mark of a good album.
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