Congratulations Florence!

Great news, an incredible album and very well deserved.

Fantastic news!

Safe to say that F+TM have cracked the U.S?

Florence cracked the states two albums ago. It's just an achievement she is keeping it up.

I'm aware of that.

Is Florence a group or solo artist?

I would personally say a solo artist

The "Machine" are like her backing group she works with in the studio and on tour.

I would personally say a band.

They aren't just random people with a line up change each album or tour, they have all been with Florence since the beginning, especially Isa.

I feel most solo artists, throughout tours and albums change their band with the direction of tour/album.

All the members of The Machine have been with Florence since the very beginning of 'Florence and the Machine'.

Before that it was Florence Robot Isa Machine and Ashok.

Suppose people could class them as both a solo artist and machine if that makes sense.

Anyway, so happy for FATM on this achievement. They were known in the states before but officially they have now smashed it.

Wasn't much of a Florence fan but I picked up this album on the strength of Ship To Wreck and am enjoying it a lot. Makes me excited to see if I like the previous stuff as much.

Fantastic achievement for Florence.

What were the album sales like?

Also where did the previous albums peak in the US? I've never followed the American album charts.

Not the most reliable source I know, but according to Wiki,

Lungs - US Sales 1.1m
Ceremonials - Went Platinum in the States, but not sure if they're referring to 'sold copies' or 'shipped copies'.

HBHBHB, First week sales of 128k.

Tour tickets went on sale this morning. Almost £50 with transaction fee.

Anyone going? I'm considering it.

Welch is the frontwoman, but they're a band.

More proof that singles don't matter. There aren't any hit singles on this album, but the album still does well. Also I'd say they are a band. Officially the Machine part is the Keyboardist. It's better for them to be regarded as a band anyway. Solo artists are generally egotistical no talents who are anything but solo but want all the attention. Cheryl Cole is a solo artist yet she can't play an instrument, sing or write music...fantastic!

in today's market that's damn good first week album sales!

Good for F+TM. Big fan of them.

I would say a solo artist. It's a bit like Marlyn Manson who was a solo artist but mostly used the same band (I know the line up changed quite a lot). But in interviews or when accepting awards it is always just Florence by herself, so I would say she is a solo artist.

I heard them for the first time on the Graham Norton Show. I just don't get it.

Neither do I. Still, the Yanks love her. The future of popular music in this country isn't exactly encouraging if this caterwauling is what is currently considered to be 'fantastic' .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06y1voOa18o

So on the strength if one sing your lamenting British music maybe you should actually listen to her body if work and If you still feel the same great .

Translation please?

This is the best song on her new album. Omg bby.