https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TwqE2X55Wg The 00s weren't all about slick production values. The continued existence of DIY gods and goddesses showed there was still plenty of room for endearingly eccentric mavericks who wanted to do things their own way. The leader of the pack was (and continues to be) Florence and her rather wonderful Machine. Her first record Kiss with a fist may have been the song that introduced her to the pop world, but Dog days are over gave a guided tour of her house and her psyche. It was a perfect hello for what was to come, merging out-there etherealness, huge percussion, strings, irresistible energy with beautiful words. And with a voice that soared to the heavens. With the emphasis on intelligent kookiness, Dog days are over picked up the baton from Kate Bush and ran ahead of the competition with it. Amidst the nihilism, here was a life affirming song from a timeless talent who showed that it was the girls who were leading the pack. True, her record company would get her to remake a far inferior version of the video that would be nominated for a Grammy. But this was a woman who knew how to play the boys at their own game and who would rightly become a superstar. Florence would go on to collaborate with the likes of Dizzie Rascal and Calvin Harris. But her true vision, which would be refined on the subsequent records Lungs and Ceremonials was to be found here. A star was born.
What makes music fantastic? Star quality, amazing music, breathtaking lyrics and the ability to bring something new to the table, even if that means a new take on the classics. That's what I love to listen to and write about.
As well as writing for What Culture, I occasionally write a blog http://tedney.blogspot.co.uk and sometimes use Twitter, but sparingly @TedneyNash