One of the Best of the Year: Florence & The Machine's, Ceremonials

Florence and the Machine's second effort, Ceremonials, will be praised as one of the best albums of the year. Yes you heard it here, without a doubt, this album will be receiving critical acclaim. While her first album, Lungs, catapulted Florence and the Machine into the spotlight, this sophomore follow up will shoot her into stardom as an incredible force to be reckoned with.

The instrumentals on Ceremonials are simply incredible with impeccable flow and rhythm that unveil a story as each song plays on. The album is full of heartbreaking strings, gorgeously played piano and a perfectly placed gong (how many times am I going to be able to say that?). Florence Welch's incredible voice is what carries this release however. Her melodious notes fill the room with flawless control and poise. As if she was singing from a mountain top her voice fills every crevasse of a room when you play this album. If you thought she could carry a tune on Lungs, well let's just say that was clearly a warm up for what was to come.

Shake it Out will most likely prove to be the best selling single off of this album, however I don't believe it is the best song on Ceremonials, but hey it has a lot of competition. Each song as something to offer its listeners. Only if for a Night is what sold me, this track kicks off Ceremonials on a very high note. It's a song that gets under your skin, the lyrics:

Only if for a night.
And the only solution was to sacrifice,
And my body was loosened,
I almost saved your life,
But you came over me like some holy life,
And I know the whole story,
You're the only light.
Only if for a night.

Well I mean how could they not get under your skin. It's stories like this that keep you moving onto the next incredible track. Lover to Lover,  is another tune that you can't get enough of. The high notes that she can hit on this are incredible. The drums, the rattling of the tambourine, her range. This song is one that will get your feet tapping even if the message is a little less than optimistic, singing: "There's no salvation for me now." Another incredible hit is No Light, No Light. Again she hits every note perfectly and sings to you exactly what you want to hear. I could go on and on and on.

There is no way that this will not be one of the best albums released this year. To check it out yourself you can listen to it in full here: Ceremonials.

Let me know what you think.!?