Album: Florence & the Machine, MTV Unplugged (Island)

 

Andy Gill
Thursday 05 April 2012 17:01 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The strictures of the Unplugged format don't impact too much upon Florence & the Machine, thanks to their semi-acoustic roots, so when she opens this MTV performance with "Only If for a Night", the piano, harp and drums are more like familiar old hands than brave new departure.

What does give the ghost story new character is the 10-piece gospel choir, which, combined with the strings, adds depth to its mystery. Elsewhere, the harp is prominent on "Cosmic Love", emphasising Florence's tremulous maidenliness, while shivery strings and a resonant guitar drone haunt "Drumming Song". The duet with Josh Homme on "Jackson" doesn't really work, but Florence nails her take on Otis's "Try a Little Tenderness". An impressive show, but not one likely to persuade doubters.

DOWNLOAD THIS Only If for the Night; Try a Little Tenderness; Drumming Song

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in