Amateur Music Review and New Artist Link

So, here goes nothing.  I am going to try my hand at the most disgusting of all arts.   Reviewing the art of another.

Ceremonials by Florence and the Machine. 4.5 stars

It's not the sophomoric album that I had feared.  It conveys powerful emotions with sometimes dark, sometimes optimistic music to go with always ethereal lyrics.  This universe has always seemed untethered, yet somehow accessible.  

I'm pleased that the album has included elements of dubstep, evolving with the English music scene from which it emerges.  It has a very "Florence-y" take on the dubstep/blues of artists like James Blake.  Her famous powerful blues-suited voice and lyrics over synth.  However, the acoustic songs at the end of the album also have something to offer.  The simplicity of these arrangements is admirable.

Buy it.

Bad as Me by Tom Waits.  3.5 stars

A horror/comedy set to music. Maybe it's his broken, dirty voice, or the edited warm crackling sound of a worn out record.  Maybe it's the blues lyrics set to the tune of a fool's dance, but I can't help but think of the chaotic atmosphere of carnivale in New Orleans when I hear this album.  It induces images of rowdy drinking, dancing, and all of the other debauchery for which my old city is so famous. 

It's similar in many ways to his 38745947359734 other albums, minus much of the overrated crap.  But a word of warning: don't bother with the ballads.  They're a waste.  

The bottom line is: something about this album, especially it's more upbeat or wild songs, grows on the listener.  

Give it a gander.

As an unsolicited plug and without commentary review: someone I know from New Orleans has released an album.  
You may find it here: http://gabrielgoldstein.bandcamp.com/