Ceremonials
{{for|the ritual|Ceremony}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Ceremonials
| type = studio
| artist = Florence and the Machine
| cover = Ceremonials.png
| released = {{Start date|2011|10|28|df=yes}}
| recorded = 2010–2011
| studio = Abbey Road and Wolf Tone, London
| genre = * Baroque pop
| length = {{duration|m=55|s=58}}
| label = Island
| producer = * Paul Epworth
- James Ford
- Charlie Hugall
- Ben Roulston
- Isabella Summers
- Eg White
| prev_title = Live at the Wiltern
| prev_year = 2011
| next_title = MTV Unplugged
| next_year = 2012
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Ceremonials
| type = studio
| single1 = Shake It Out
| single1date = 14 September 2011
| single2 = No Light, No Light
| single2date = 16 January 2012
| single3 = Never Let Me Go
| single3date = 30 March 2012
| single4 = Spectrum (Say My Name)
| single4date = 5 July 2012
| single5 = Lover to Lover
| single5date = 30 November 2012
}}
}}
Ceremonials is the second studio album by English indie rock band Florence and the Machine. It was released on 28 October 2011 by Island Records. The band started working on the album in 2010 and finished it in 2011. The standard edition of the album was entirely produced by Paul Epworth, who also worked prominently on the band's debut album Lungs (2009).
Ceremonials received generally positive reviews from music critics, who drew comparisons to artists such as Kate Bush, while also praising the instrumentation, Florence Welch's vocals and the production of the songs. It appeared on several year-end critics' lists in late 2011. At the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, the album received a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album, while "Shake It Out" was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Ceremonials debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming the band's second consecutive number-one album. It also debuted at number one in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, and peaked at number six on the US Billboard 200, becoming the band's first top-10 album in the United States. It has sold 2 million copies worldwide.
Five singles were released from Ceremonials. "What the Water Gave Me" was released on 23 August 2011 as a teaser for the album. "Shake It Out" was released on 30 September 2011 as the album's official lead single, becoming one of the band's most commercially successful singles to date. "No Light, No Light" was released on 16 January 2012 as the second single from the album, and "Never Let Me Go" was released on 30 March 2012. "Spectrum (Say My Name)" was released on 5 July 2012, and fuelled by a remix by Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, became Florence and the Machine's first number-one single in the UK. The album's fifth and final single, "Lover to Lover", was released on 30 November 2012. Ceremonials was also promoted by the band by a worldwide tour, the Ceremonials Tour (2011–12). The album's sound is described as baroque pop,{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Preston |url=http://www.star-telegram.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article78558917.html |title=Florence + the Machine bring 'Blue' songs to American Airlines Center |publisher=Star-Telegram |date=18 May 2016 |accessdate=18 June 2017}} art pop,{{cite web |last=Pan |first=Arnold |url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/150687-florence-and-the-machine-ceremonials/ |title=Florence and the Machine: Ceremonials |work=PopMatters |date=1 November 2011 |accessdate=4 May 2016}} indie pop,{{cite web |last=Edwards |first=David |url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16620/reviews/4143919 |title=Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials |work=Drowned in Sound |date=1 November 2011 |accessdate=4 May 2016 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070645/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16620/reviews/4143919 |url-status=dead }} neo soul, power pop{{cite web|url=http://cokemachineglow.com/records/florenceandthemachine-ceremonials-2011/ |title=Florence And The Machine Ceremonials |publisher=cokemachineglow.com |accessdate=24 July 2021}} and gothic pop.
Background
NME magazine confirmed that after the release of the song "Heavy in Your Arms" for the soundtrack to The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010), lead singer Florence Welch entered the studio for a two-week session to record with producer Paul Epworth, with whom she worked on the band's debut album, Lungs (2009). She said that the two recordings that came out of that session were inspired by science because "a lot of her family are doctors or trying to become doctors, so much of her conversations are fixated on medical stuff."{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/50308 |title=Florence and the Machine planning 'scientific' new album |work=NME |date=22 March 2010 |accessdate=23 March 2010}} In an interview with the Gibson website on 17 February 2011, guitarist Rob Ackroyd stated, "Work on the second album has begun with Paul Epworth and there is talk of booking out Abbey Road for a month in April/May to record."{{cite web |last=Wawzenek |first=Bryan |url=http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/rob-ackroyd-0217-2011.aspx |title=The Gibson Interview: Rob Ackroyd of Florence + the Machine |publisher=Gibson |date=17 February 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109050520/http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/Features/en-us/rob-ackroyd-0217-2011.aspx |archivedate=9 January 2017}} In June 2011, Epworth told BBC 6 Music that the album would probably be finished "by the end of July" and described the sound as "a lot less indie and lot more soulful".{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/57189 |title=Florence and the Machine set for 'heavier' second album |work=NME |date=9 June 2011 |accessdate=15 June 2011}} He also indicated that there were 16 songs up for inclusion on the album, but that this would be reduced upon the time of release. Pitchfork confirmed on 23 August 2011 that the album was produced solely by Epworth.{{cite web |last=Dombal |first=Ryan |url=http://www.pitchfork.com/news/43609-florence-and-the-machine-announce-new-lp/ |title=Florence and the Machine Announce New LP |work=Pitchfork |date=23 August 2011 |accessdate=13 September 2011}} On 12 September 2011, Canadian radio broadcaster Alan Cross revealed that Florence and the Machine's second album would be titled Ceremonials. He also commented on the album by saying, "I've heard a little more than half the record and it is big, soulful and powerful. Think Adele or Tori Amos but with some serious Kate Bush DNA, especially with the rhythm section."{{cite web |last=Cross |first=Alan |author-link=Alan Cross |url=http://ajournalofmusicalthings.com/florence-and-the-machines-ceremonials-an-exercise-in-big-soul-and-big-drums/ |title=Florence and the Machine's "Ceremonials" an Exercise in Big Soul and Big Drums |publisher=A Journal of Musical Things |date=12 September 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}}
Regarding the album's title, Welch told MTV News, "It was an art installation done in the '70s, this video piece all done on Super 8, this big procession of kind of coquette-style hippies and all these different colored robes and masks, and it was all to do with color, really saturated, brightly colored pastas and balloons. I saw it a couple years ago, and it was called 'Ceremonials' and then, like, Roman numerals after it. And the word sort of stuck with me, and I think the whole idea of performance, and kind of putting on this outfit and going out almost to find some sort of exorcism or absolution, to kind of get outside yourself, there's a sense of ceremony to it."{{cite web |last=Montgomery |first=James |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1672740/florence-and-the-machine-no-light-single/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718101809/http://www.mtv.com/news/1672740/florence-and-the-machine-no-light-single/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 July 2014 |title=Florence and the Machine Reveal Next Single: Exclusive |publisher=MTV News |date=18 October 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} Welch also revealed that she wanted to call the album Violence, stating, "I wanted to make an album that sounded like the soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, the violence mixed with the classical Shakespearean drama mixed with the pop and the pulp, extreme neon stuff."{{cite web |last=della Cava |first=Marco R. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/story/2011-10-28/florence-and-the-machine/51008792/1 |title=Florence Welch: Quirky mind behind Machine |work=USA Today |date=30 October 2011 |accessdate=8 November 2011}} In an interview with The Guardian, she described the album as "much bigger" and categorised its genre as "chamber soul", a mixture of chamber pop and soul.{{cite web |last=Nicholson |first=Rebecca |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/video/2011/oct/26/florence-welch-interview-video |title=Florence Welch: 'My heart was going crazy' – video |work=The Guardian |date=26 October 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} The liner notes of Ceremonials contain an essay by English writer Emma Forrest, dated 21 September 2011.
Promotion
The song "Strangeness and Charm"—which was ultimately included on the deluxe edition of Ceremonials—was debuted on 2 May 2010 at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, during the band's Cosmic Love Tour.{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/50928 |title=Florence and the Machine kick off 'Cosmic Love' tour in Dublin |work=NME |date=4 May 2010 |accessdate=15 June 2011}} The song was later recorded live at the Hammersmith Apollo on another stop of The Cosmic Love Tour and was included on the re-release of Lungs, titled Between Two Lungs, along with other live tracks and previously unreleased B-sides. Welch describes the song as "about seven minutes long and pretty relentless" and also "dancey, but it's also dark as well", featuring "relentless drums and heavy, droning bass." During their North American tour, Florence and the Machine debuted "What the Water Gave Me" at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California, on 12 June 2011.{{cite web |last=Corner |first=Lewis |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a324817/florence-and-the-machine-play-new-track-what-the-water-gave-me/ |title=Florence and the Machine play new track 'What The Water Gave Me' |website=Digital Spy |date=14 June 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} On 23 August 2011, the song was released as a promotional single from the album,{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/what-the-water-gave-me-single/458308406 |title=What the Water Gave Me – Single by Florence + The Machine |website=iTunes Store (UK) |date=January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004181016/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/what-the-water-gave-me-single/id458308406 |archive-date=4 October 2011 |url-status=live |access-date=13 September 2011}} along with an accompanying music video.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/florence-and-the-machine-what-the-water-gave-me-20110823 |title=Florence and the Machine 'What the Water Gave Me' |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=23 August 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016 |archive-date=14 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214013751/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/florence-and-the-machine-what-the-water-gave-me-20110823 |url-status=dead }}
Florence and the Machine embarked on several live performances to promote Ceremonials. The band premiered four tracks from the album—"Only If for a Night", "Never Let Me Go", "Heartlines" and "Spectrum"—at The Creators Project, a partnership between Vice and Intel, in Brooklyn's Dumbo neighbourhood on 15 October 2011.{{cite web |last=Daw |first=Robbie |url=http://www.idolator.com/6046782/florence-the-machine-ceremonials-premiere-live-vice |title=Florence + The Machine 'Ceremonials' Tracks Premiere At 'Vice' Gig |website=Idolator |date=17 October 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}}{{cite magazine |last=Maloney |first=Devon |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/photos/live/465962/creators-project-with-florence-the-machine-karen-o-comes-to-brooklyn |title=Creators Project With Florence + the Machine, Karen O Comes to Brooklyn |magazine=Billboard |date=14 October 2011 |accessdate=8 March 2013}} They launched the album with an exclusive gig at the Hackney Empire in London on 25 October, which was live-streamed on The Guardian website.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/oct/25/florence-and-the-machine-live |title=Florence and the Machine live at Hackney Empire – have your say |work=The Guardian |date=25 October 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} On 1 November, they performed "What the Water Gave Me" and "No Light, No Light" on the British music television show Later... with Jools Holland.{{cite web |last=Pelly |first=Jenn |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/44502-watch-florence-and-the-machine-and-my-morning-jacket-on-jools-holland/ |title=Watch: Florence and the Machine and My Morning Jacket on "Jools Holland" |work=Pitchfork |date=2 November 2011 |accessdate=8 December 2011}} On 6 November, the band made their first appearance on The X Factor, where they performed "Shake It Out" on the double elimination results show.{{cite web |url=http://programmes.stv.tv/the-x-factor/news/277958-florence-and-the-machine-light-up-the-x-factor-results-show/ |title=Florence and the Machine light up the X Factor results show |publisher=STV |date=6 November 2011 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120715061814/http://programmes.stv.tv/the-x-factor/news/277958-florence-and-the-machine-light-up-the-x-factor-results-show/ |archivedate=15 July 2012 |accessdate=8 December 2011}} "Shake It Out" was also performed on the Irish late-night talk show The Late Late Show (28 October),{{cite web |last=Bain |first=Becky |url=http://www.idolator.com/6061661/florence-the-machine-shake-it-out-performance |title=Florence + The Machine Performs "Shake It Out", Talks Hangovers |website=Idolator |date=31 October 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} The X Factor Australia (15 November){{cite web |url=http://ceremonials.florenceandthemachine.net/news/216-222/flo-in-australia-x-factor-triple-j-and-more/20-40 |title=Flo in Australia – X Factor, Triple J And More |website=florenceandthemachine.net |date=11 November 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201063046/http://ceremonials.florenceandthemachine.net/news/216-222/flo-in-australia-x-factor-triple-j-and-more/20-40 |archive-date=1 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://au.tv.yahoo.com/x-factor/galleries/photo/-/11693271/semi-final-results-show/11693274/ |title=Semi-final Results Show! |website=Yahoo!7 |accessdate=8 December 2011}} and Good Morning America (21 November).{{cite web |url=http://ceremonials.florenceandthemachine.net/news/216-222/good-morning-america-performance/20-40 |title=Good Morning America Performance |website=florenceandthemachine.net |date=10 November 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201063310/http://ceremonials.florenceandthemachine.net/news/216-222/good-morning-america-performance/20-40 |archive-date=1 February 2016 |url-status=dead }}
They performed "Shake It Out" and "What the Water Gave Me" on the Canal+ show La Musicale in France on 18 November.{{cite web |url=http://ceremonials.florenceandthemachine.net/news/210-216/flo-to-perform-on-la-musicale-in-france/0-6 |title=Flo To Perform on La Musicale in France |website=florenceandthemachine.net |date=15 November 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201063405/http://ceremonials.florenceandthemachine.net/news/210-216/flo-to-perform-on-la-musicale-in-france/0-6 |archive-date=1 February 2016 |url-status=dead }} The following day, Florence and the Machine appeared on the American sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live for the second time, performing "Shake It Out" and "No Light, No Light".{{cite web |url=http://www.spin.com/2011/11/watch-florence-machine-play-ceremonials-tracks-turkey-themed-rap-fusion-song-snl/ |title=Watch Florence + the Machine Play 'Ceremonials' Tracks, Turkey-Themed Rap-Fusion Song on 'SNL' |work=Spin |date=21 November 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} The group stopped by BBC Radio 1 on 25 November for a special Live Lounge set, which included performances of "Shake It Out", "What the Water Gave Me", "Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)", "Dog Days Are Over" and "No Light, No Light", as well as a cover of "Take Care" by Drake featuring Rihanna.{{cite web |last=Copsey |first=Robert |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a352945/florence-the-machine-cover-drake-rihannas-take-care-video/ |title=Florence + the Machine cover Drake, Rihanna's 'Take Care' – video |website=Digital Spy |date=25 November 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} They performed "Spectrum" on The X Factor USA semi-final results show on 15 December.{{cite web |last=Still |first=Jennifer |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/the-x-factor-us/news/a356278/the-x-factor-usa-semi-final-results-show-live-blog/ |title='The X Factor' USA semi-final results show – Live blog |website=Digital Spy |date=16 December 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} The band performed at the Los Angeles portion of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest,{{cite web |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1675506/nicki-minaj-dick-clarks-new-years-eve/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213031834/http://www.mtv.com/news/1675506/nicki-minaj-dick-clarks-new-years-eve/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 February 2015 |title=Nicki Minaj, LMFAO Join ''Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve' |publisher=MTV News |date=7 December 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} which was broadcast live on 31 December on ABC.{{cite press release |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-band-perry-blink-182-christina-perri-florence--the-machine-gym-class-heroes-lmfao-onerepublic-nicki-minaj-taio-cruz-and-william-to-perform-on-dick-clarks-new-years-rockin-eve-with-ryan-seacrest-2012-135106973.html |title=The Band Perry, blink-182, Christina Perri, Florence + The Machine, Gym Class Heroes, LMFAO, OneRepublic, Nicki Minaj, Taio Cruz And will.i.am to Perform on "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2012" |location=Los Angeles |publisher=Dick Clark Productions |date=6 December 2011 |accessdate=8 December 2011 |agency=PR Newswire}} The band performed "No Light, No Light" at the 2012 Brit Awards at the O2 Arena in on 21 February 2012.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2012/feb/20/brit-awards-2012-bingo-night |title=Brit awards 2012: what to look out for on music's bingo night |work=The Guardian |date=20 February 2012 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} On 2 July 2012, a music video for "Breaking Down" was officially released.{{cite web |last=James |first=Nicole |url=http://www.fuse.tv/2012/07/florence-and-the-machine-s-breaking-down-video |title=Florence + The Machine Salute America in "Breaking Down" Video |publisher=Fuse |date=2 July 2012 |accessdate=30 March 2013}}
=Singles=
"What the Water Gave Me" was released on 23 August 2011 as the first taster of Ceremonials.{{cite web |url=http://ceremonials.florenceandthemachine.net/news/258-264/ceremonials-shake-it-out/20-40 |title='Ceremonials' + 'Shake It Out |website=florenceandthemachine.net |date=14 September 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201065302/http://ceremonials.florenceandthemachine.net/news/258-264/ceremonials-shake-it-out/20-40 |archive-date=1 February 2016 |url-status=dead }} The promotional single debuted at number 24 on the UK Singles Chart.{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/5108/florence-and-the-machine/ |title=Florence & The Machine |publisher=Official Charts Company |accessdate=2 February 2016}} It saw moderate chart success elsewhere, reaching number 13 in Ireland, number 15 in New Zealand and number 35 in Australia.{{cite web| url=http://irish-charts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Florence+%2B+The+Machine |title=Discography Florence + The Machine |publisher=irish-charts.com |accessdate=13 December 2011}}{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/d9501/Florence-and-The-Machine-What-The-Water-Gave-Me |title=Florence + The Machine – What The Water Gave Me |language=Dutch |publisher=Ultratop |accessdate=2 February 2016}}
"Shake It Out" was released as the album's official lead single on 30 September 2011.{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/shake-it-out-ep/465291354 |title=Shake It Out – EP by Florence + The Machine |website=iTunes Store (UK) |date=January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009023648/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/shake-it-out-ep/id465291354 |archive-date=9 October 2011 |url-status=live |access-date=31 October 2011}} It premiered exclusively on XFM London on 14 September 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/2011/thom-yorke-records-guest-mix-for-xfm |title=Thom Yorke Records Guest Mix For Xfm |publisher=XFM |date=13 September 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928110441/http://www.xfm.co.uk/news/2011/thom-yorke-records-guest-mix-for-xfm |archivedate=28 September 2011 |accessdate=13 September 2011}} The song peaked at number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Florence and the Machine's fourth top-20 single. Internationally, it reached number two on the Irish Singles Chart, while charting inside the top 20 in Austria, New Zealand and Norway, the top 30 in Germany and Switzerland, the top 40 in Australia, and the top 50 in Sweden.{{cite web |url=https://www.ultratop.be/nl/song/dbe2c/Florence-and-The-Machine-Shake-It-Out |title=Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out |language=Dutch |publisher=Ultratop |accessdate=2 February 2016}}
"No Light, No Light" was released on 13 January 2012 as the second single from the album.{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/no-light-no-light-single/1444315967 |title=No Light, No Light – EP by Florence + The Machine |website=iTunes Store (UK) |date=January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120195320/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/no-light-no-light-single/id485714697 |archive-date=20 January 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=1 January 2016}} The single reached number 63 on the UK Singles Chart. The accompanying video, released on 18 November 2011,{{cite web |last=Battan |first=Carrie |url=http://pitchfork.com/news/44642-watch-new-florence-and-the-machine-video-no-light-no-light/ |title=Watch: New Florence and the Machine Video: "No Light, No Light" |work=Pitchfork |date=18 November 2011 |accessdate=13 December 2011}} caused controversy after it was accused of racism due to its perceived use of blackface by an actor in the video, and was also criticised for its depiction of voodoo.{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/news/florence-and-the-machine/60554 |title=Florence and the Machine spark controversy with 'racist' 'No Light, No Light' video |work=NME |date=22 November 2011 |accessdate=13 December 2011}}{{cite web |last=Nissim |first=Mayer |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a352254/florence-the-machine-no-light-no-light-video-accused-of-racism/ |title=Florence + the Machine 'No Light, No Light' video accused of racism |website=Digital Spy |date=22 November 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}}{{cite web |last=Frith |first=Holly |url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/68964/Florence-And-The-Machine-Criticised-For-Racist-No-Light-No-Light-Video |title=Florence and the Machine Criticised For 'Racist' 'No Light, No Light' Video |publisher=Gigwise |date=22 November 2011 |accessdate=13 December 2011}}
"Never Let Me Go" was released on 30 March 2012 as the third single from the album.{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/never-let-me-go-single/512833164 |title=Never Let Me Go – Single by Florence + The Machine |website=iTunes Store (UK) |date=January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608024710/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/never-let-me-go-single/id512833164 |archive-date=8 June 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=30 March 2013}} The music video was released on 7 March 2012.{{cite web |last=Corner |first=Lewis |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/music/news/a369827/florence-the-machine-release-never-let-me-go-music-video-watch/ |title=Florence + the Machine release 'Never Let Me Go' music video – watch |website=Digital Spy |date=7 March 2012 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} The track charted at number 82 in the UK, while reaching number three in Australia, the band's highest-peaking single in that country to date.{{cite web |url=https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Florence+%2B+The+Machine&titel=Never+Let+Me+Go&cat=s |title=Florence + The Machine – Never Let Me Go |publisher=australian-charts.com |accessdate=2 February 2016}}
A remix of "Spectrum" by Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris, subtitled "Say My Name", was released on 5 July 2012 as the album's fourth single.{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/spectrum-say-my-name-ep/1445314926 |title=Spectrum (Say My Name) [Remixes] – EP by Florence + The Machine |website=iTunes Store (UK) |date=January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709062628/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/spectrum-say-my-name-remixes/id531158564 |archive-date=9 July 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=1 August 2012}} It became the band's first number-one single in both the UK and Ireland.{{cite web |url=http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/uk-singles-chart-florence-scores-first-ever-no1/049580 |title=UK Singles Chart: Florence scores first ever No.1 |work=Music Week |date=15 July 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029195224/http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/uk-singles-chart-florence-scores-first-ever-no1/049580 |archivedate=29 October 2013 |accessdate=15 July 2012}}
"Lover to Lover" was released as the fifth and final single from the album on 30 November 2012.{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/lover-to-lover-ceremonials/579438934 |title=Lover To Lover (Ceremonials Tour Version) – Single by Florence + The Machine |website=iTunes Store (UK) |date=January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121228042239/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/lover-to-lover-ceremonials/id579438934 |archive-date=28 December 2012 |url-status=live |access-date=30 March 2013}} Directed by Vincent Haycock, the music video debuted on 19 November and features a new single version of the song.{{cite web |url=https://www.nowness.com/story/florence-and-the-machine-lover-to-lover |title=Florence and the Machine: Lover to Lover |publisher=Nowness |date=19 November 2012 |accessdate=2 February 2016}}
=Tour=
{{Main|Ceremonials Tour}}
To promote the album, Florence and the Machine embarked on their second worldwide tour titled the Ceremonials Tour on 13 October 2011. The set list includes songs from the band's two studio albums. The tour included numerous performances at music festivals as that is Welch's favourite way to perform live. During an interview with MTV News, Welch discussed the nature of the tour, saying, "In a way, it's not going to be too big a production; we've done a lot of quite extravagant stuff, and that's been amazing, but for this tour, it's definitely going to be about showcasing the music [...] The songs are going to be the most important thing. It will be heavily based on the music [...] no bells and whistles just yet, we're going to try and keep it quite pure."{{cite web |last=Montgomery |first=James |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1677762/florence-and-the-machine-tour/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215010324/http://www.mtv.com/news/1677762/florence-and-the-machine-tour/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=15 February 2016 |title=Florence and the Machine Will 'Keep It Pure' On Upcoming Tour |publisher=MTV News |date=24 January 2012 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} The tour ended in December 2012, after two years of worldwide touring.{{cite web |last=Ellison |first=Jesse |url=http://www.newsweek.com/florence-welch-her-break-ceremonials-and-virginia-woolf-68173 |title=Florence Welch on Her Break-Up, Ceremonials, and Virginia Woolf |work=Newsweek |date=23 October 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}}
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = AllMusic
| rev2 = The Daily Telegraph
| rev3 = Entertainment Weekly
| rev4 = The Guardian
| rev5 = The Independent
| rev6 = Los Angeles Times
| rev6Score = {{Rating|3.5|4}}
| rev7 = NME
| rev8 = Pitchfork
| rev9 = Rolling Stone
| rev10 = Spin
}}
Ceremonials received generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a weighted mean rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 75, based on 36 reviews.{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/ceremonials/florence-+-the-machine |title=Reviews for Ceremonials by Florence + the Machine |publisher=Metacritic |accessdate=30 October 2011}} Laura Foster of Clash called the album a "confident, cohesive effort" and found that "[t]he steady hand of Paul Epworth on production has helped Florence to take the winning formula of her distinctive vocals and melodies, the twinkling harps and thundering drums, and augment it with string arrangements, subtle electro touches, and gospel choirs."{{cite web |last=Foster |first=Laura |url=http://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/florence-and-the-machine-ceremonials |title=Florence and the Machine – Ceremonials |work=Clash |date=24 October 2011 |accessdate=27 October 2011}} Entertainment Weekly{{'}}s Kyle Anderson praised it as a "confident, unflinching tour de force" and commented, "If her acclaimed 2009 debut, Lungs, was a scrappy shrine to survival and empowerment, its follow-up is a baroque cathedral, bedecked with ornate tapestries made of ghostly choirs, pagan-rhythmic splendor, and a whole lot of harp."{{cite magazine |last=Anderson |first=Kyle |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2011/10/26/ceremonials-review-florence-machine |title=Ceremonials review – Florence + The Machine |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=26 October 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} AllMusic critic James Christopher Monger wrote, "Bigger and bolder than 2009's excellent Lungs, Ceremonials rolls in like fog over the Thames, doling out a heavy-handed mix of Brit-pop-infused neo-soul anthems and lush, movie trailer-ready ballads that fuse the bluesy, electro-despair of Adele with the ornate, gothic melodrama of Kate Bush and Floodland-era Sisters of Mercy."{{cite web |last=Monger |first=James Christopher |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/ceremonials-mw0002228356 |title=Ceremonials – Florence + the Machine |publisher=AllMusic |accessdate=16 November 2019}} Margaret Wappler of the Los Angeles Times found that Welch had "found a way to honor her Bjorkian appetites for lavish orchestral spectacle while finding the depth and subtlety of her voice".{{cite web |last=Wappler |first=Margaret |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2011/10/album-review-florence-the-machines-ceremonials.html |title=Album review: Florence + the Machine's 'Ceremonials' |work=Los Angeles Times |date=31 October 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}}
Barry Nicolson of NME noted that "by taking what worked about Lungs and amplifying those qualities to a natural, satisfying conclusion, Florence has made a near-great pop record that should afford her the creative freedom to do whatever the hell she wants next time around."{{cite web |last=Nicolson |first=Barry |url=http://www.nme.com/reviews/florence-and-the-machine/12419 |title=Album Review: Florence and the Machine – 'Ceremonials' |work=NME |date=28 October 2011 |accessdate=31 October 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102143607/http://www.nme.com/reviews/florence-and-the-machine/12419 |archivedate=2 November 2011}} Rolling Stone writer Jody Rosen commented that the album contains "turbulent ballads, powered by booming drums and vocal chorales rising like distant thunder, full of Welch's banshee wails. The music touches on Celtic melodies, bluesy rock stomps, nods to goth and gospel."{{cite magazine |last=Rosen |first=Jody |author-link=Jody Rosen |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/ceremonials-20111101 |title=Ceremonials |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=1 November 2011 |accessdate=1 November 2011}} The Daily Telegraph{{'}}s Neil McCormick viewed Ceremonials as "a giant, fluid, emotionally resonant album" and stated, "Contrary to the name she has given her band, the Machine feel organic and human, providing an epic, full-blooded soundtrack to Welch's voodoo, in which rhythm, melody and chanting are employed to drive out neuroses and insecurities, characterised as ghosts and devils."{{cite web |last=McCormick |first=Neil |author-link=Neil McCormick |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/cdreviews/8853291/Florence-and-the-Machine-Ceremonials-CD-review.html |title=Florence & the Machine: Ceremonials, CD review |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=27 October 2011 |accessdate=27 October 2011}} Rob Harvilla of Spin described Welch as "a bloodied, bloodying songbird in a gilded cage of immaculately crafted, slow-burn, chest-beating empowerment anthems, gripping steel bars that her elegantly volcanic voice could shred at any moment", adding, "She's so much better than her material that her material is rendered immaterial."{{cite web |last=Harvilla |first=Rob |url=http://www.spin.com/reviews/florence-and-machine-ceremonials-universal-republic |title=Florence and the Machine, 'Ceremonials' (Universal Republic) |work=Spin|date=October 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406195607/http://www.spin.com/reviews/florence-and-machine-ceremonials-universal-republic |archivedate=6 April 2013 |accessdate=28 October 2011}}
Michael Hann of The Guardian concluded that the album "always sounds wonderful—producer Paul Epworth has created a warm, soft, four-poster featherbed of sound for Welch to emote over—but it never really satisfies. One yearns for Welch's wonderful voice to be delivering lines of more import than the nonsense she's often delivering here."{{cite web |last=Hann |first=Michael |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2011/oct/27/florence-and-the-machine-ceremonials-review |title=Florence and the Machine: Ceremonials – review |work=The Guardian |date=27 October 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} In a mixed review, Slant Magazine{{'}}s Matthew Cole wrote that "[t]he first four tracks of Ceremonials are essentially flawless", but felt that the album "can't help but get weaker as it continues, a fact which owes less to the quality of the songwriting than to the album's length [...] and a far less dynamic second act."{{cite web |last=Cole |first=Matthew |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/florence-and-the-machine-ceremonials |title=Florence and the Machine: Ceremonials |work=Slant Magazine |date=30 October 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} Andy Gill of The Independent expressed, "[I]n cementing one style, some of the possibilities offered by Lungs have been choked off. The only time [Welch] and The Machine stray from the formula is the Krautrock-disco motorik of 'Spectrum'; elsewhere, declamatory piano chords and burring organ underpin the banked, soaring vocals that are her trademark".{{cite web |last=Gill |first=Andy |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-florence--the-machine-ceremonials-island-2376712.html |title=Album: Florence + the Machine, Ceremonials (Island) |work=The Independent |date=28 October 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106122026/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-florence--the-machine-ceremonials-island-2376712.html |archivedate=6 November 2011}} Pitchfork{{'}}s Ryan Dombal argued, "Instead of Lungs' largely charming yet discombobulating diversity, Ceremonials suffers from a repetitiveness that's akin to looking at a skyline filled with 100-story behemoths lined-up one after the other, blocking out everything but their own size."{{cite web |last=Dombal |first=Ryan |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/16004-ceremonials/ |title=Florence and the Machine: Ceremonials |work=Pitchfork |date=3 November 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}}
=Accolades=
Ceremonials was named the best album of 2011 by Q magazine.{{cite web |url=http://news.qthemusic.com/2011/11/florence_the_machine_named_qs.html |title=Florence + The Machine named Q's album of 2011 – listen now |work=Q |date=29 November 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111201223444/http://news.qthemusic.com/2011/11/florence_the_machine_named_qs.html |archivedate=1 December 2011 |accessdate=3 November 2011}} Time magazine ranked it as the second best album of 2011, being behind Adele's 21, stating, "Despite her penchant for emotive gloom, Welch's tales of heartache can be oddly uplifting; when she sings about darkness and demons, we know she will ultimately conquer them."{{cite magazine |last=Suddath |first=Claire |url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101344_2101364_2101582,00.html |title=The Top 10 Everything of 2011 |magazine=Time |date=7 December 2011 |access-date=2 February 2016}} Entertainment Weekly, on its list of the 10 Best Albums of 2011, listed the album at number five and wrote, "A big believer in Red Sea-parting melodrama, she's got the orchestral grandeur to pull it off. Of course, it helps that she attacks the harp as if she were wielding an ax."{{cite magazine |last=Maerz |first=Melissa |url=http://www.ew.com/gallery/10-best-albums-2011/517154_5-florence-%C2%ADmachine-ceremonials |title=10 Best Albums of 2011 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=26 December 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} Billboard placed it at number eight on its list of the 10 Best Albums of 2011, noting that "Shake It Out" and "What the Water Gave Me" "possess an anthemic quality, but they're far from the only epic moments on the rock-tinged record, which finds Welch channeling avant-pop luminaries like Annie Lennox and Kate Bush."{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/464746/critics-picks-10-best-albums-of-2011 |title=Critics' Picks: 10 Best Albums of 2011 |magazine=Billboard |date=13 December 2011 |accessdate=8 March 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201084631/http://www.billboard.com/articles/list/464746/critics-picks-10-best-albums-of-2011 |archivedate=1 February 2013}} Slant Magazine included Ceremonials at number 22 on its list of The 25 Best Albums of 2011, commenting that the album is "steeped in melodrama, with pump organs, choirs, and strings expertly deployed as pure pomp on already rousing singles like 'Shake It Out' and 'No Light, No Light.' But Welch is perfectly capable of doing delicate too, as evidenced by the gorgeously textured lead single 'What the Water Gave Me' and 'Never Let Me Go,' while tracks like "Lover to Lover" are reminiscent of the Eurythmics at their most soulful."{{cite web |url=http://www.slantmagazine.com/features/article/the-25-best-albums-of-2011 |title=The 25 Best Albums of 2011 |work=Slant Magazine |date=14 December 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} PopMatters ranked the album at number 25 on its list of The 75 Best Albums of 2011, calling it "an expansive album, haunted by tragedy but boldly offering a comforting embrace in reply."{{cite web |url=http://www.popmatters.com/feature/152303-the-75-best-albums-of-2011/P5/ |title=The 75 Best Albums of 2011 |work=PopMatters |date=27 December 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}}
The A.V. Club named it the 26th best album of 2011 and claimed, "A perfect blend of majestic and morose, Ceremonials establishes Welch as one of the most boundary-pushing divas in the business."{{cite web |url=http://www.avclub.com/article/the-best-music-of-2011-66004 |title=The best music of 2011 |work=The A.V. Club |date=6 December 2011 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} Rolling Stone ranked the album at number 27 on its list of the 50 Best Albums of 2011, adding, "From 'Shake It Out' to the arena-scale Motown of 'Lover to Lover', Big Red brings it again and again, choirs and string players backing a voice that soars so high, it makes them seem like ants on the ground below."{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2011-20111207/florence-and-the-machine-ceremonials-19691231 |title=50 Best Albums of 2011 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=7 December 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107172148/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/50-best-albums-of-2011-20111207/florence-and-the-machine-ceremonials-19691231 |archivedate=7 January 2012 |accessdate=13 January 2012}} Clash, on its list of The Top 40 Albums of 2011, included Ceremonials at number 28 and opined that the album "heralded the triumphant return of one of Britain's most exciting pop stars. Bettering the sound she first developed on Lungs, the only problem she faces now is deciding which of its massive songs to release as singles."{{cite web |url=http://www.clashmusic.com/feature/the-top-40-albums-of-2011-30-21 |title=The Top 40 Albums of 2011: 30 – 21 |work=Clash |date=5 December 2011 |accessdate=16 January 2012}} The NME placed the album at number 31 on its list of the 50 Best Albums of 2011, writing that the album "amounted to pop in its purest sense, as something grand and strange and with ambitions higher than mere humanity, as the triple-headed priestess-muse Florence depicted on its sleeve suggested."{{cite web |url=http://www.nme.com/list/50-best-albums-of-2011/255135/page/3 |title=50 Best Albums Of 2011 |work=NME |accessdate=13 January 2012}}
The album earned the band nominations for British Female Solo Artist and MasterCard British Album of the Year at the 2012 Brit Awards.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-16533246 |title=Brit awards 2012: nominations in full |work=BBC News |date=21 January 2012 |accessdate=2 February 2016}} The following year at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, Ceremonials received a nomination for Best Pop Vocal Album, and "Shake It Out" was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-grammys-2013-complete-list-of-nominees-and-winners-story.html |title=Grammys 2013: Complete list of nominees and winners |work=Los Angeles Times |date=10 February 2013 |accessdate=2 February 2016}}
Artwork
The cover artwork for Ceremonials was photographed by Florence and the Machine's longtime collaborator Tom Beard. In November 2019, it was announced that Beard's portrait of Welch for the album cover would be on permanent display at the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) of London in their New Acquisitions exhibition.{{cite web |url=https://lbbonline.com/news/tom-beards-portrait-of-florence-welch-joins-collection-at-national-portrait-gallery/ |title=Tom Beard's Portrait of Florence Welch Joins Collection at National Portrait Gallery |website=LBBOnline |access-date=5 March 2020}}{{cite web |last=Westall |first=Mark |url=https://fadmagazine.com/2019/11/08/tom-beard-portrait-of-florence-welch-goes-on-permanent-display-at-national-portrait-gallery/ |title=Tom Beard Portrait of Florence Welch Goes on Permanent Display at National Portrait Gallery |website=FAD Magazine |date=8 November 2019 |access-date=5 March 2020}}{{cite web |url=https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/portrait/mw293389/Florence-Welch |title=Florence Welch – Portrait |publisher=National Portrait Gallery |location=London |access-date=10 March 2020}} According to the NPG, the portrait "signalled a new, sleeker aesthetic for Welch, inspired by Art Deco and early-twentieth-century fashion illustration."
Commercial performance
Ceremonials debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, selling approximately 38,000 copies in its first two days of release and 94,050 copies altogether in its first week.{{cite magazine |last=Smirke |first=Richard |url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1162285/florence-the-machine-set-to-overtake-coldplay-atop-uk-album-charts |title=Florence & The Machine Set To Overtake Coldplay Atop U.K. Album Charts |magazine=Billboard |date=1 November 2011 |accessdate=8 March 2013 |archive-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203032234/https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1162285/florence-the-machine-set-to-overtake-coldplay-atop-uk-album-charts |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Alan |url=http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/uk-album-chart-analysis-florences-ceremonials-sells-94k/047235 |title=UK Album Chart analysis: Florence's Ceremonials sells 94k |work=Music Week |date=7 November 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623062348/http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/uk-album-chart-analysis-florences-ceremonials-sells-94k/047235 |archivedate=23 June 2013 |accessdate=8 March 2013}} It fell to number three the following week, selling 58,278 copies.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Alan |url=http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/uk-album-chart-analysis-susan-boyle-lp-sells-73k-units/047313 |title=UK Album Chart Analysis: Susan Boyle LP sells 73k units |work=Music Week |date=14 November 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030180204/http://www.musicweek.com/news/read/uk-album-chart-analysis-susan-boyle-lp-sells-73k-units/047313 |archivedate=30 October 2013 |accessdate=8 March 2013}} On 18 January 2013, Ceremonials was certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), and by June 2015, it had sold 715,275 copies in the United Kingdom.{{cite web |last=Jones |first=Alan |url=http://www.musicweek.com/labels/read/official-charts-analysis-florence-the-machine-leads-all-new-top-4-with-sales-of-68-788/062002 |title=Official Charts Analysis: Florence & The Machine leads all new Top 4 with sales of 68,788 |work=Music Week |date=8 June 2015 |accessdate=15 October 2015 |url-access=subscription}}
The album also debuted at number one in Australia, Ireland and New Zealand,{{cite web |url=http://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240002&arch=t&lyr=2011&year=2011&week=44 |title=Top 75 Artist Album, Week Ending 3 November 2011 |publisher=Chart-Track |accessdate=4 November 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616134023/https://www.chart-track.co.uk/index.jsp?c=p%2Fmusicvideo%2Fmusic%2Farchive%2Findex_test.jsp&ct=240002&arch=t&lyr=2011&year=2011&week=44 |archivedate=16 June 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display_album.asp?chart=1G50 |title=ARIA Top 50 Albums Chart |publisher=ARIA Charts |date=7 November 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107030808/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/pages/charts_display_album.asp?chart=1G50 |archivedate=7 November 2011 |accessdate=6 November 2011}} and was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) in its first week of sales. It was ultimately certified quadruple platinum by the ARIA in 2023, signalling sales of 280,000 equivalent units. Selling 105,000 units in its opening week in the United States, Ceremonials entered the Billboard 200 at number six,{{cite magazine |last=Caulfield |first=Keith |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/465232/justin-biebers-mistletoe-brightens-billboard-200-with-no-1-debut |title=Justin Bieber's 'Mistletoe' Brightens Billboard 200 with No. 1 Debut |magazine=Billboard |date=9 November 2011 |accessdate=8 March 2013}} while debuting atop the Alternative Albums, Rock Albums and Digital Albums charts.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/alternative-albums/2011-11-19 |title=Alternative Albums: The Week of November 19, 2011 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=2 February 2016}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/rock-albums/2011-11-19 |title=Top Rock Albums: The Week of November 19, 2011 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=2 February 2016}}{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/digital-albums/2011-11-19 |title=Digital Albums: The Week of November 19, 2011 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=2 February 2016 |archive-date=27 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127144815/http://www.billboard.com/charts/digital-albums/2011-11-19 |url-status=dead }} The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on 8 January 2015, and had sold 1,002,000 copies in the US by March 2015.{{cite web |url=http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |title=Upcoming Releases |work=Hits Daily Double |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325165044/http://hitsdailydouble.com/new_album_releases |archivedate=25 March 2015 |accessdate=22 December 2015}} As of May 2012, Ceremonials had sold 2 million copies worldwide.{{cite web |url=http://www.thevine.com.au/music/interviews/florence-and-the-machine-it-becomes-the-normal-things-that-you-crave-20120525-240205 |title=Florence and the Machine: "It becomes the normal things that you crave." |website=TheVine |date=25 May 2012 |accessdate=3 July 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405031611/http://www.thevine.com.au/music/interviews/florence-and-the-machine-it-becomes-the-normal-things-that-you-crave-20120525-240205 |archivedate=5 April 2015}}
Track listing
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer
| headline = Ceremonials track listing
| title1 = Only If for a Night
| writer1 = {{flatlist|
}}
| extra1 = Epworth
| length1 = 4:58
| title2 = Shake It Out
| writer2 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Epworth
}}
| extra2 = Epworth
| length2 = 4:37
| title3 = What the Water Gave Me
| writer3 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Francis White
}}
| extra3 = Epworth
| length3 = 5:33
| title4 = Never Let Me Go
| writer4 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Epworth
}}
| extra4 = Epworth
| length4 = 4:31
| title5 = Breaking Down
| writer5 = Welch
| extra5 = Epworth
| length5 = 3:49
| title6 = Lover to Lover
| writer6 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- White
}}
| extra6 = Epworth
| length6 = 4:02
| title7 = No Light, No Light
| writer7 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Isabella Summers
}}
| extra7 = Epworth
| length7 = 4:34
| title8 = Seven Devils
| writer8 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Epworth
}}
| extra8 = Epworth
| length8 = 5:03
| title9 = Heartlines
| writer9 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Epworth
}}
| extra9 = Epworth
| length9 = 5:01
| title10 = Spectrum
| writer10 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Epworth
}}
| extra10 = Epworth
| length10 = 5:11
| title11 = All This and Heaven Too
| writer11 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Summers
}}
| extra11 = Epworth
| length11 = 4:05
| title12 = Leave My Body
| writer12 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Epworth
}}
| extra12 = Epworth
| length12 = 4:34
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = 2012 digital deluxe edition bonus tracks
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title13 = Spectrum (Say My Name)
| note13 = Calvin Harris Remix
| writer13 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Epworth
}}
| extra13 = {{flatlist|
- Epworth
- Harris{{ref|b|[b]}}
}}
| length13 = 3:38
| title14 = Breath of Life
| writer14 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Summers
}}
| extra14 = Summers
| length14 = 4:08
| title15 = Take Care
| note15 = BBC Live at Maida Vale
| writer15 = {{flatlist|
- Herb Wiener
- Seymour Gottlieb
- John Gluck
- Wally Gold
- Aubrey Graham
- Noah Shebib
- Anthony Palman
- James Smith
- Brook Benton
}}
| length15 = 4:38
| title16 = Remain Nameless
| writer16 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Summers
}}
| extra16 = {{flatlist|
- Summers
- Roulston{{ref|a|[a]}}
}}
| length16 = 4:01
| title17 = Strangeness and Charm
| writer17 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Epworth
}}
| extra17 = Epworth
| length17 = 5:16
| title18 = Bedroom Hymns
| writer18 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Ghost
}}
| extra18 = Epworth
| length18 = 3:02
| title19 = What the Water Gave Me
| note19 = demo
| writer19 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- White
}}
| extra19 = White
| length19 = 3:53
| title20 = Landscape
| note20 = demo
| writer20 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- James Ford
}}
| extra20 = Ford
| length20 = 4:02
| title21 = Heartlines
| note21 = acoustic
| writer21 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Epworth
}}
| extra21 = Charlie Hugall
| length21 = 5:32
| title22 = Shake It Out
| note22 = acoustic
| writer22 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
- Epworth
}}
| extra22 = Hugall
| length22 = 4:12
| title23 = Breaking Down
| note23 = acoustic
| writer23 = {{flatlist|
- Welch
}}
| extra23 = Hugall
| length23 = 3:31
| title24 = What the Water Gave Me
| note24 = video
| length24 = 5:33
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = US deluxe edition and Japanese edition bonus tracks
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title13 = Remain Nameless
| length13 = 4:01
| title14 = Strangeness and Charm
| length14 = 5:16
| title15 = Bedroom Hymns
| length15 = 3:02
| title16 = What the Water Gave Me
| note16 = demo
| length16 = 3:53
}}
{{Track listing
| headline = Non-US deluxe edition bonus disc{{cite web |url=https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/ceremonials-deluxe-version/id464877410 |title=Ceremonials (Deluxe Version) by Florence + The Machine |website=iTunes Store (UK) |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103013353/http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/ceremonials-deluxe-version/id464877410 |archivedate=3 November 2011 |accessdate=13 September 2011}}
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| title1 = Remain Nameless
| length1 = 4:01
| title2 = Strangeness and Charm
| length2 = 5:16
| title3 = Bedroom Hymns
| length3 = 3:02
| title4 = What the Water Gave Me
| note4 = demo
| length4 = 3:53
| title5 = Landscape
| note5 = demo
| length5 = 4:02
| title6 = Heartlines
| note6 = acoustic
| length6 = 5:32
| title7 = Shake It Out
| note7 = acoustic
| length7 = 4:12
| title8 = Breaking Down
| note8 = acoustic
| length8 = 3:31
| title9 = What the Water Gave Me
| note9 = iTunes Store bonus video
| length9 = 5:33
}}
Notes
- {{sup|{{note|a|a}}}} signifies an additional producer
- {{sup|{{note|b|b}}}} signifies a remixer
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes of the deluxe edition of Ceremonials.{{cite AV media notes |title=Ceremonials |type=deluxe edition liner notes |others=Florence and the Machine |publisher=Island Records |year=2011 |id=2783315}}
Florence and the Machine
- Florence Welch – vocals
- Robert Ackroyd – guitar {{small|(track 3)}}
- Christopher Lloyd Hayden – drums {{small|(tracks 1–12)}}; backing vocals {{small|(tracks 1–4, 7–10)}}; percussion {{small|(tracks 2, 3)}}
- Tom Monger – harp {{small|(all tracks)}}; bass {{small|(track 8)}}
- Mark Saunders – backing vocals {{small|(tracks 1–4, 7–9)}}; percussion {{small|(tracks 1–3, 7, 9)}}; bass {{small|(tracks 3, 4, 7, 9, 11, 12)}}; additional guitar {{small|(track 11)}}
- Isabella Summers – piano {{small|(tracks 6, 7, 11)}}; drum programming {{small|(tracks 7, 11)}}; strings, choir parts {{small|(track 7)}}; synth {{small|(track 8)}}; celeste, programming {{small|(track 11)}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Additional musicians
- Jack Peñate – backing vocals {{small|(tracks 1–4, 7–9)}}
- Sian Alice – backing vocals {{small|(tracks 1–4, 7–9)}}
- Lisa Moorish – backing vocals {{small|(tracks 1–4, 7–9)}}
- Jessie Ware – backing vocals {{small|(tracks 1–4, 7–9)}}
- Rusty Bradshaw – keyboards {{small|(tracks 1–5, 7–10, 12)}}; Hammond organ {{small|(track 6)}}
- Sally Herbert – violin, string arrangements {{small|(tracks 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11)}}
- Rick Koster – violin {{small|(tracks 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11)}}
- Oli Langford – violin {{small|(tracks 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11)}}
- Gillon Cameron – violin {{small|(tracks 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11)}}
- Warren Zielinski – violin {{small|(tracks 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11)}}
- Richard George – violin {{small|(tracks 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11)}}
- Ian Burdge – cello {{small|(tracks 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11)}}
- Max Baillie – viola {{small|(tracks 1, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11)}}
- Lucy Shaw – double bass {{small|(track 1)}}
- Bullion – drum programming, additional esoteric sonics {{small|(tracks 1, 2, 4, 5, 9)}}
- Paul Epworth – pump organ {{small|(track 2)}}
- Nikolaj Torp Larsen – piano {{small|(tracks 6, 10)}}
{{col-2}}
Technical
- Paul Epworth – production
- Mark Rankin – engineering {{small|(all tracks)}}; mixing {{small|(track 11)}}
- Ted Jensen – mastering
- Tom Elmhirst – mixing {{small|(tracks 1, 4–6, 9, 10)}}
- Ben Baptie – mixing assistance {{small|(tracks 1, 4–6, 9, 10)}}
- Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing {{small|(tracks 2, 7)}}
- Matty Green – mixing assistance {{small|(tracks 2, 7)}}
- Craig Silvey – mixing {{small|(tracks 3, 8, 12)}}
- Bryan Wilson – mixing assistance {{small|(tracks 3, 8, 12)}}
- Isabella Summers – additional backing vocals recording {{small|(tracks 7, 11)}}
- Ben Roulston – additional backing vocals recording {{small|(track 7)}}
- Peter Hutchings – engineering assistance
- Joseph Hartwell Jones – engineering assistance
- Henrik Michelsen – additional engineering assistance
{{col-end}}
Artwork
- Tabitha Denholm – art direction
- Tom Beard – photography
- Bravo Charlie Mike Hotel – layouts
- Emma Forrest – liner notes
=Deluxe edition bonus disc=
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
Florence and the Machine
- Florence Welch – vocals {{small|(all tracks)}}; bass {{small|(track 1)}}
- Isabella Summers – synth {{small|(tracks 1, 2)}}; bass, programmed drums, bells {{small|(track 1)}}
- Robert Ackroyd – guitar {{small|(tracks 1–3, 6–8)}}
- Tom Monger – harp {{small|(tracks 1–3, 6–8)}}
- Christopher Lloyd Hayden – drums {{small|(tracks 2, 3)}}; percussion {{small|(tracks 2, 6–8)}}; backing vocals {{small|(track 7)}}
- Mark Saunders – percussion {{small|(track 2)}}; bass {{small|(tracks 2, 3)}}
{{col-2}}
Additional musicians
- Sam Paul Evans – drums {{small|(track 1)}}
- Rusty Bradshaw – keyboards {{small|(tracks 1, 3)}}; backing vocals {{small|(track 7)}}; piano {{small|(track 8)}}
- Bullion – drum programming, additional esoteric sonics {{small|(track 2)}}
- Eg White – all instruments {{small|(track 4)}}
{{col-end}}
Technical
- Isabella Summers – production {{small|(track 1)}}
- Ben Roulston – additional production, engineering {{small|(track 1)}}
- Austen Jux Chandler – engineering {{small|(track 1)}}
- Paul Epworth – production {{small|(tracks 2, 3)}}
- Mark Rankin – engineering {{small|(track 2)}}; production assistance {{small|(track 3)}}
- Craig Silvey – mixing {{small|(tracks 2, 3)}}
- Bryan Wilson – mixing assistance {{small|(tracks 2, 3)}}
- Ted Jensen – mastering {{small|(tracks 2, 3)}}
- Eg White – production {{small|(track 4)}}
- James Ford – production, mixing {{small|(track 5)}}
- Charlie Hugall – production, mixing {{small|(tracks 6–8)}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2011–2012)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|Australia|1|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Austria|12|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=9 November 2011}} |
| {{album chart|Flanders|4|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=4 November 2011}} |
| {{album chart|Wallonia|11|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=4 November 2011}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|4|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|rowheader=true|accessdate=8 March 2013}} |
| scope="row"| Croatian Albums (HDU){{cite web |url=http://www.hdu-toplista.com/index.php?what=arhiva&w=details&id=925 |title=Top Kombiniranih – Tjedan 43. 2011. |trans-title=Top Combined – Week 43, 2011 |language=Croatian |website=Top of the Shops |accessdate=5 November 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304202305/http://www.hdu-toplista.com/index.php?what=arhiva&w=details&id=925 |archivedate=4 March 2016}}
| 19 |
| {{album chart|Denmark|19|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Netherlands|14|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Finland|26|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|M|url=http://finnishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Florence+%2B+The+Machine&titel=Ceremonials&cat=a|title=Finnishcharts.com – Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials|publisher=Hung Medien|rowheader=true|accessdate=12 November 2011}} |
| {{album chart|France|31|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Germany4|7|id=178197|artist=Florence + the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016}} |
| scope="row"| Greek Albums (IFPI){{cite web |url=http://www.ifpi.gr/chart01.htm |title=Top-75 Albums Sales Chart – Εβδομάδα 45/2011 |language=Greek |publisher=IFPI Greece |accessdate=15 November 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024235804/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart01.htm |archivedate=24 October 2011}}
| 12 |
| {{album chart|Ireland2|1|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|rowheader=true|accessdate=1 October 2019}} |
| {{album chart|Italy|19|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016}} |
| scope="row"| Mexican Albums (Top 100 Mexico){{cite web |url=http://mexicancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Florence+%2B+The+Machine&titel=Ceremonials&cat=a |title=Florence + The Machine – Ceremonials |publisher=mexicancharts.com |accessdate=23 November 2011 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417185927/http://mexicancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Florence+++The+Machine&titel=Ceremonials&cat=a |archivedate=17 April 2012}}
| 77 |
| {{album chart|New Zealand|1|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016|refname="NZ"}} |
| {{album chart|Norway|6|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Poland|2|id=702|rowheader=true|accessdate=18 November 2011}} |
| {{album chart|Portugal|5|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Scotland|1|date=20111106|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Spain|25|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Sweden|21|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Switzerland|10|artist=Florence %2B the Machine|album=Ceremonials|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016}} |
| {{album chart|UK2|1|date=20111106|rowheader=true|accessdate=2 February 2016}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|6|artist=Florence the Machine|rowheader=true|accessdate=30 September 2019}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardAlternative|1|artist=Florence the Machine|rowheader=true|accessdate=30 September 2019}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardRock|1|artist=Florence the Machine|rowheader=true|accessdate=30 September 2019}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardTastemaker|1|artist=Florence the Machine|rowheader=true|access-date=24 May 2022}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2013)
! scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/top-alternative-albums |title=Alternative Albums – Year-End 2013 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=2 February 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630101041/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/top-alternative-albums |archivedate=30 June 2018 |url-status=live}}
| 44 |
| scope="row"| US Top Rock Albums (Billboard){{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2013/top-rock-albums |title=Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2013 |magazine=Billboard |accessdate=2 February 2016}}
| 60 |
=Decade-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" |
| scope="col"| Chart (2010–2019)
! scope="col"| Position |
|---|
| scope="row"| Australian Albums (ARIA){{cite web|url=https://www.ariacharts.com.au/annual-charts/2019/end-of-decade-albums-chart|title= 2019 ARIA End of Decade Albums Chart|date=January 2020|accessdate=17 January 2020}}
| 28 |
| scope="row"| UK Albums (OCC){{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-uks-official-top-100-biggest-albums-of-the-decade-2010-2019__27937/|title=The UK's Official Top 100 biggest albums of the decade|publisher=Official Charts Company|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=11 December 2019|accessdate=12 December 2019}}
| 67 |
= All-time charts =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! Chart ! Position |
| scope="row"| Irish Female Albums (IRMA){{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-top-50-biggest-female-artist-albums-of-all-time-in-ireland__25728/|title= Ireland's Top 50 biggest female artist albums|publisher=The Official Charts Company |access-date=March 6, 2019|archive-date=March 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306235254/https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/the-top-50-biggest-female-artist-albums-of-all-time-in-ireland__25728/}}
| 37 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|artist=Florence + The Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Platinum|number=4|type=album|certyear=2023|accessdate=3 April 2023|refname="ARIA"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|artist=Florence & the Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2011|date=3 December 2012|accessdate=3 December 2012}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Belgium|type=album|artist=Florence + The Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Gold|relyear=2011|certyear=2012|date=5 October 2012}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=album|artist=Florence + The Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Platinum|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|access-date=28 August 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=album|artist=Florence + The Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Platinum|note=(Original Deluxe Version)|relyear=2011|certyear=2024|access-date=28 August 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Florence & The Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2011|date=16 November 2011}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=album|artist=Florence + The Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Gold|relyear=2011|certyear=2018|date=22 May 2018}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Germany|artist=Florence & The Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2011|accessdate=20 June 2012}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Ireland|artist=Florence + The Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Platinum|number=3|type=album|certyear=2011|accessdate=20 April 2012}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Florence And The Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Gold|type=album|relyear=2011|certyear=2020|accessdate=21 December 2020}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Florence and the Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Platinum|type=album|id=2012-01-13|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|date=16 January 2012}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Florence & The Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2011|certyear=2012|date=7 March 2012|accessdate=2 February 2016}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|artist=Florence & The Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Platinum|number=3|type=album|relyear=2011|certyear=2020|id=8791-891-2|date=2 October 2020|accessdate=6 October 2020|refname="BPI"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|artist=Florence & the Machine|title=Ceremonials|award=Platinum|type=album|relyear=2011|date=8 January 2015|salesamount=1,002,000|salesref=|refname="RIAA"}}
{{Certification Table Bottom | streaming=true}}
Release history
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Florence and the Machine}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Albums produced by Paul Epworth
Category:Florence and the Machine albums
Category:Island Records albums