Get it right, it’s McVeigh and not Potter we are talking about here. Ritual as a sophomore album proves that White Lies are more than just a Joy Division tribute band. Ironically enough, McVeigh cited the Talking Heads as an influence, rather than Joy Division. He said, “we weren’t alive during that period of music…” Or so he says. Honestly, one doesn’t need to be alive during any particular period to be influenced by that period’s music, right?
In Ritual, the band has ventured into a slightly more electronic sound, on top of their usual brand of rock. And when i first heard it, these bands came into mind: Depeche Mode and the Smashing Pumpkins (during the Machina era), so what’s the lowest common multiple here? Alan Moulder and Electronic sounds/beats/textures on top of their usual modus operandi.
Coincidently enough, he (Alan Moulder also co-produced Ritual) worked with Yeah Yeah Yeahs on their It’s Blitz! LP as well, when they decided to swap their distortion amps for electronic sounds.
Ritual, took me more than a few listens to fully appreciate the album. Not all the songs are as catchy as To Lose My Life’s – a sign that they don’t have to impress anyone anymore, perhaps? Some tracks do get a little draggy, but the few gems we here at Poptart love, make this album still somewhat worth the time. We recommend listening to Holy Ghost, Strangers and Bigger Than Us (the first single from the album). A decent try, but White Lies should stay loud, euphoric and uplifting.
Good for: Wearing black to.
*None of the files linked here were uploaded or hosted by the author of this site. The links are not tested and are found simply by searching the net. Any music file you acquire following provided links, use only for your own evaluation purpose, and delete it within 24 hours. If you like anything of the music presented here, please buy it.
POPTART
SAT 11 APR 2009
FASH, THE BUTTER FACTORY
with DJs JAH, WEE.LIKE.ME & E-JIN
Poptart’s got a brand new home in Fash at The Butter Factory’s new One Fullerton venue!
Here’s a hugeass room, fierce soundsystem, coupled with some familiar faces, poptarty choons & a good dose of booze, there is nowhere we’d rather be!
You’re all invited to join us- Jah, wee, and a brand new popslut guest selekta, and also web contributor, E-Jin, to scream your lungs out with the singalongs, anthems, and future hits…but you should already know by now what a Poptart party feels like!
Also we’ll be giving away copies of the spanking new White Lies – To Lose My Life CD so come in your finest and be in your worst behaviour on the dancefloor to be spotted!
We have a limited guestlist invites for you, so please be fast and fill in the form below to be included in the guestlist.
(Please note that slots are VERY limited and all successful applicants will be informed via email.)
*the guestlist is closed. All successful applicants have been informed via email.
Let’s ROCK N ROLL!!
The Butter Factory is now located at:
One Fullerton
1 Fullerton Road,
#02-02/03/04
Singapore 049213
ENTRY TO FASH ON SAT 11 APR 09:
girls – $21 , guys – $26 (includes 2 standard drinks)
NME calls them the “Grandoiose archbishops of cathedral pop”. Q says “The sound fit for stadiums already” and Mojo exclaims “Epic British Indie Reborn!”.
Still unsure? Judge White Lies for yourself. We have 3 copies of ‘To Lose My Life’ to give away*. Just answer this question in the comment box below- ‘Name the three members of White Lies.’ Nothing google can’t help yes? and don’t forget to fill in the rest of the form so we can contact you. Good luck!
Read the CD review here
*Contest only applies to Singapore residents
contest has ended! congrats to ze winners!
Are White Lies just another flash in the post-punk pan? Let’s hope not.
Already the new darlings of many indie circles even before their debut LP, ‘To Lose my Life’ was released, the band were first on the bill for the Shockwaves NME Awards Big Gig 2009 that featured Crystal Castles, Franz Ferdinand and long time goth heroes, The Cure.
Previously called ‘Fear of Flying’, the band shifted its style from one that was “danceable-indie” to one that was more moody, melancholic and dark. It also didn’t help that McVeigh’s (Harry) voice have been likened to the late Ian Curtis’ (Joy Division) or Tom Smith’s (Editors). That being said, I put all three bands’ songs on my iTunes playlist and aptly named it “Post-Punk: the real and the like”. What sets White Lies apart from the other post-punk tributes is that they have managed to interpret the dark gothic mood of the 80′s post-punk for modern consumption and make it their own. A style that I’m sure that even the old faithful will approve.
My favourite song, ‘Unfinished Business’ on first listen, sounded like a typical Editors’ song intro, however at 2:00, when the song goes into its full glory, it has that Killers’ type bassline found on ‘This is your Life’. This is what I meant by White Lies being able to interpret this genre for modern consumption – ”Big Anthem-ish” choruses that follow dark and moody verses/lyrics. This song alone talks of a suicide pact that was not fulfilled by a girlfriend, as she begs for forgiveness from murdering her lover. However, he is willing to wait for her at the end:
“You got blood your hands,
And I know it’s mine
I just need more time
So get of your low, let’s dance like we used to
But there’s a light in the distance, waiting for me
I will wait for you
So get of your low, let’s kiss like we used to”
This is definitely White Lies’ year.
White Lies – Unfinished Business
Death (Crystal Castles Remix) – White lies (Right Click, “save as”)
Death – White lies (Right Click “save as”)
White Lies – To Lose My Life now is available at all good music stores
