The album got its name from the song Between Two Lungs, which is where Florence Welch found her voice and her sound. Before that she didn’t have a faith in herself as a musician.
It won year’s Critic’s Choice Brit Award and Florence became one of the most eminent singers of this decade in a blink of an eye.
Welch is dramatically posing on the fornt of the album with the fake lungs hanging on her neck, which doesn’t look too rockn’ roll, rather a bit ridiculous. Inside is not perfect either, but some of the tracks are quite interesting, creative and with enough imagination. Although not a chef d’oeuvre, the album is a must have for any music lover - at least to check out where British Music is heading to.
While writing the songs, Welch has been strongly influenced by Kate Bush, which can be told from the record. There are hints of PJ Harvey, Siouxsie Sioux and Bjork in the album as well.
It’s obvious that everything’s about love in there. When Welch was writing the album, she was heartbroken and that’s what helped her a lot. She said: “Being heartbroken is so incredible. Nothing matters, nothing means anything. You see world with complete clarity: that pain, that longing, that yearning.”
The best title there is Dog Days Are Over. In some three minutes Welch managed to fit everything into it – from ukuleles to intense silent pauses. The song evokes so much emotions that becomes a bit scary as well: “the horses are coming, so you better run, run fast for your mother, fast for your father, run for you children, your sisters and brothers”. Lyrics are captivating and the song is just midblowing, brilliant.
But nothing else is this good on the album. There are more or less interesting songs like Bjorkish Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) and I’m Not Calling You A Liar, where Florence shows off her titanic vocals, taking the highest notes possible.
Overall, this is a brave and bold record from a very talented musicia who’s like a bridge in the music wonderland, taking us to the next level.
