Florence and the Machine Serve Up a Delicious High Drama Stew

Crescendo is the best word to describe Florence and the Machine's "Hunger". From her voice to the band's goosebump inducing playing, crescendos are the order of the day. Florence herself emits some emotionally raw lyrics on the subject of love that should give us all cause to reflect on our own relationships. Take for instance the following poetry: "At seventeen, I started to starve myself. I thought love was a kind of emptiness and at least I understood then the hunger I felt and I didn't have to call it loneliness." The chorus is vintage knock it out of the park Florence, teeth armed for bear, summing up a key tenet of the human condition..."We all have a hunger. That hunger being for love, unconditional and pure. Florence goes on to punch out some additional go for the jugular lyrics that put the dirty back in down and dirty. "Tell me what you need, oh you look so free. The way you use your body, baby, come on baby work it for me. Don't let it get you down, you're the best thing I've ever seen. We never knew the answer but we knew one thing. We all have a hunger." Isabella Summers gives it her all on keyboards as if this were the last time we'd ever hear her instrument ever again. Loren Humphrey gives it her all on the drums. Definite spookiness to be found within her skin. As a unit this band puts together emotions that would put Shakespeare to shame. Florence has her pipes in fine fettle. She doesn't waste a single note and it shows. The video bursts with color and vitality and showcases the best part of her, writhing tendencies and all. She gets in your face and lets you know she means business with a capital "B". A good Florence effort always comes rife with high class drama, the kind that comes with smashed plates and slammed doors in most relationships that feel the sting of heat of the moment arguments. She always comes to the table with histrionics at the ready. Any modern couple in relationship troubles should relate to what message Florence is putting out. In summation "Hunger" is good to the last bite. Be sure to pack lots of napkins though. This one's messy.