Florence and the Machine, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats

×

Expand

Photo courtesy of Republic Records

Florence and the Machine

“Ecstacy is all you need, living in the big machine,” sang John Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls (which, as it happens, is coming to Walnut Creek in July). British arena-indie standard-bearer Florence and the Machine has never been the sort of triple-A band to convincingly sell bliss via its expensive, center-lane James Bond theme music, but even the edgiest potshot could never dismiss vocalist Florence Welch’s raw spark. Whether she’s singing about eating disorders or tragic breakups, she belts out every confession with the volatile force of a 737 engine. On last year’s High as Hope, the band swapped out its rotating carousel of triple-A producers for Lana Del Rey producer Emile Haynie and a who’s-who assembly of guest spots, including Sampha, Jamie XX, and Kamasi Washington. As always, the Machine’s reserved baroque-pop stylings may frustrate those who like their rock stars belligerent, but the sheer talent shines. With Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats. —David Ford Smith