Florence & the Machine - 'Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)'
Last time Florence had a single out, I did a long spiel about the brilliance of ukuleles - Noah & the Whale had just had a hit using one, and the introduction to 'Dog Days Are Over' had a similar noise on it. I then went on to marvel how such a cheap instrument can be used to make a noise that sounds not a million miles away from the noise made by a harp. You can read all about it here, if you like.
Unfortunately, it was then pointed out to me that the noise I was referring to was actually made by a real harp, and not a ukulele. And the person who said it seemed to really know what they were talking about.
At the time, I blustered, and said something about how silly it is to hire someone in to play the harp when it's only going to end up sounding like a ukulele, but that was just an attempt to save face. Everyone knew the jig was up.
I just hope FloMash's latest does not contain similarly confusing musical arrangements, or there will be trouble...
(. Keep your eyes peeled for Piffibo, Ikea's new picnic table/coffin/boat hybrid.)
*some time later*
Phew! This time the harps sound like harps, great big beautiful harps, all angelic and sparkly. They soar over Florence's earthy ravings like huge stained-glass butterfly gliders over a muddy rabble of medieval peasants. The peasants are shouting, bellowing their pain and joy to the wet heavens, and the red-head in the centre is screaming loudest of all. Stuff about knives, stuff about King Midas, and stuff about gold in the sunlight. It's a heady thrill from start to finish.
The best way I can think to describe it is that it is what ye olde rave musick would sound like, if it had been invented in the middle ages. It shares a lot of musical DNA with Candi Staton's 'You've Got The Love' - as covered brilliantly by Florence. There again, Kate Bush would probably see her younger self reflected back, should she chance upon Florence on a wild night, or in the supermarket.
I still don't think it justifies getting a Brit Award before you've actually done anything, but at least we can let the ukulele thing go now. No sense in *cough* harping on about it...
Download: Out now
CD Released: June 22nd
³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Music page
(Fraser McAlpine)
"Her sound is raised from the forest, not the Korg."
"This deserves to be a hit."
"It feels real and human, bursting through then pristine sterility of the heavy handed production."
Comment number 1.
At 21st Jun 2009, fluffyfinches wrote:Its good... I love the video which is like elaine of camelot: the musical. this is a giiiift... it comes with a priiiice... its a really good song. Just one question: who is the machine?
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Comment number 2.
At 21st Jun 2009, spirit wrote:Ha ha... there goes the lovely Fluffy , spotting the phrasing of the lyrics again.
I will have to put my favourite Kanye lyric on the Knock me down blog ,when I get home later, and dedicate it to you.
Anyway there's my digressing over.
I saw Florence live about 6 months ago , (never saw a ukulele , but I saw the very talented Tom Monger playing the harp ! Hi Tom !) I, like many others have been aware of her talent , for a very long time.
There's many things I like about this song, the structure , the feel , the passion , the voice ,and it bodes well for the album Lungs that is released July 6th.
The Machine are Florence Welch's band ,that provide excellent instrumentation to that soaring voice !
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Comment number 3.
At 21st Jun 2009, fluffyfinches wrote:Oh, I see... yeah, the phrasing of the lyrics is very important to me : ) although trying to write it down has it's limits as there's only so many times you can put "doo doo doooo".
Oh, yeah, a lot of my friends are musical and actually carry ukuleles round with them wherever they go... can you imagine?
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Comment number 4.
At 21st Jun 2009, RandomEnigma wrote:This is a very good song but I can't wait for the band to release Cosmic Love, such an amazing song!
Many people should be familliar with the song, it's currently soundtracking the newest O2 ad.
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Comment number 5.
At 22nd Jun 2009, spirit wrote:Come on Catman.... raise it up !!!!!
Hurry up and get your comment on for Jamie T , you know what a chatterbox I am, I don't know how long I can wait ! Out of love and respect , I am hesitating and letting you go first .
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Comment number 6.
At 22nd Jun 2009, spirit wrote:Instead I am gonna to big up Mr Hudson " Supernova " again to take my mind off Jamie T.
As you all know I have been bigging the track up for months, ( yeah we know ! ) and obviously the Calvin Harris remix is now doing the rounds....
Supernova , along with Calvin's new single is gonna be one of the songs of the Summer !
P.S The bbc are using Empire of the Sun's " Walking on a dream " as part of their Wimbledon coverage. Great stuff.
Come on Andy !
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Comment number 7.
At 18th Jan 2010, spirit wrote:Good to see Flo's album LUNGS , finally get to NUMBER 1 after 28 weeks !!
Go girl !
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Comment number 8.
At 19th Jan 2010, BloggingLiam wrote:Spirit you should never want your mind taking off Jamie T.
I think Indian Winter has a lot behind this being number 1. Nice one though. It's still fantastic.
The latest episode of Grey's Anatomy (what a TV show) has an absolutely epic end. The song? 'Cosmic Love', from Lungs. It's one of my favs on the album.
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Comment number 9.
At 19th Jan 2010, spirit wrote:And the resurgence of the top ten single , YOU GOT THE LOVE , has obviously helped...
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