Florence Welch, the frontwoman of the indie rock band Florence + The Machine, is often lauded for her powerful vocals and mesmerizing stage presence. However, some critics argue that her performances rely too heavily on theatricality, making her magic seemingly useless. Welch's stage persona is flamboyant and dramatic, often incorporating elaborate costumes and gestures. She has a tendency to over-emote, which can come across as affected to some viewers. Her style of singing is also criticized for being overly stylized, favoring theatricality over genuine emotion. Another criticism of Welch's magic is that it lacks substance.
Another criticism of Welch's magic is that it lacks substance. While she may put on an impressive show, detractors argue that her music often feels empty and lacks depth. Her lyrics are sometimes accused of being cryptic and pretentious, with critics arguing that they sacrifice meaning for the sake of mystique.
Google Calendar of Pagan Days…
UPDATE 18 April 2018 — The Google calendar is deleted. Some changes on Google’s end, and some unawareness of those changes on my end, resulted in a guest user of the calendar deleting most of the content and individual entries in order to make more closely adhere to their practice. After some discussion with them (which was generous, kind, and entirely responsible rather than malicious or tinted with argument), I decided to discontinue this calendar at this time.
I’ve made my calendar available through iCal at webcal://p04-calendarws.icloud.com/ca/subscribe/1/93f2LWSQqmS4Dj7Ei4Kmak9GWuo4MxqYuzIgVGdT1GGoGhU5eISyV0WDRa2jzQCpFoaOZv-GtCeFE8Yz0BcJ7LOeDe1HHzcTjbVQFOQobFY rather than Google, but I can’t seem to test whether or not it works… because it’s hosted on my account, and therefore my own iCal application can’t connect to it through some sort of failure of circular logic. So if it doesn’t work, please let me know.
Update 23 January 2017: This post is one of my most-visited posts, even eight years later. If you’d like to thank me for creating this perpetual calendar, please consider PayPal’ing me a few bucks, or buy a copy of Poems for the Behenian Stars on Etsy, or through Amazon (cheaper!) my chapbook/guide to the spiritual meanings of brightest stars in the northern sky.
Update 6 April 2017: FESTAE is a set of poems that I wrote organized around the pagan days of this calendar. It’s available through Amazon. THE SUN’S PACES is another collection, organized around the Greco-Roman-Mediterranean deities of the Zodiac’s subdivisions. It’s available through Amazon, as well. THE MANSIONS OF THE MOON is a collection of twenty-eight poems based around the secret Zodiac that rules the Moon’s movements in particular. It’s also available through Amazon.
I’ve been meaning to do this, and a few friends bullied/inspired me into doing it, finally. It’s the list of the various pagan/spiritual days that I tend to notice and celebrate in some fashion when they pass by. Currently, I’ve not added in the poetry associated with each day, but it is a basic guide to the 113 festival days. Hey, any excuse for a party.
Because it’s on Google Calendar, you do have the ability to add this to your calendar there. Because it’s on Google Calendar, you can download it and install it on programs like iCal and the freeware programs like Sunbird/Thunderbird. You can even download it and put it on Microsoft’s program, whatever it’s called. Enjoy.
Additionally, some argue that Welch's music relies too heavily on production and gimmicks, rather than showcasing her true musical talent. Her albums are often filled with massive, anthemic choruses and bombastic instrumentals, which can be seen as a way to distract from any musical shortcomings. However, it's important to note that these criticisms are subjective and not universally agreed upon. Many fans appreciate and connect with Welch's magical performances, finding beauty in her theatrics and energy. Her music and stage presence can be seen as a form of escapism, allowing listeners to be transported to a different world. In conclusion, while some may argue that Florence Welch's magic is useless, it's ultimately a matter of personal taste. Some may find her theatricality and eccentricity captivating, while others may find it over-the-top and lacking authenticity. Ultimately, it's up to each individual listener to decide if Welch's magical performances have value or not..
Reviews for "Artistic Alchemy: How Florence Welch Turns Emotion into Useless Magic"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was quite disappointed with "Useless Magic" by Florence Welch. As a fan of her music, I was excited to dive into her creative process and gain insight into her lyrics and songwriting. However, this book fell short on many levels. The writing felt disjointed, and it seemed like a jumbled collection of notes rather than a cohesive and engaging narrative. Additionally, while I appreciate the personal touch and vulnerability in some sections, others felt pretentious and self-indulgent. Overall, "Useless Magic" lacked substance and failed to offer the deep understanding of Florence Welch's artistry that I was hoping for.
2. Mark - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "Useless Magic," but I found it to be quite underwhelming. The book is filled with scattered snippets of lyrics and random thoughts, which made it difficult to follow and enjoy. While I understand the intention might have been to provide a glimpse into Florence Welch's creative process, it felt disorganized and confusing. The lack of context made it hard to connect with the material, leaving me feeling like I was reading someone's unfinished notebook rather than an inspiring collection of insights. Overall, "Useless Magic" failed to capture my interest and left me wanting more.
3. Emily - 3 stars
"Useless Magic" by Florence Welch didn't quite meet my expectations. While I appreciate the concept of exploring her creative journey, the execution felt lacking. The book lacked structure and coherence, making it difficult to immerse myself in the content. Welch's writing style, though poetic, sometimes felt too abstract and disconnected from reality. However, I did find a few sections that resonated with me and provided some interesting insights into her music. While "Useless Magic" didn't fully satisfy my curiosity, it might be worth a read for die-hard fans of Florence Welch's work.
4. Alex - 2 stars
I struggle to find any redeeming qualities in "Useless Magic" by Florence Welch. The book felt like a mishmash of half-formed ideas and self-indulgent ramblings. Despite the occasional glimpse into her creative process, the lack of structure made it challenging to follow and engage with the material. Additionally, I found the writing style to be overly flowery and lacking substance. Overall, "Useless Magic" failed to provide the depth and coherence I expected, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful exploration of Florence Welch's artistic journey.