Review Summary: Unchanged, White Lies walk down a very similar path with Ritual, one that sooner or later, they will have to take a turn in to achieve progress.
Bringing us one-liners such as
‘let’s grow old together and die at the same time’, White Lies’ debut
To Lose My Life came with the typical hype of young-and-upcoming British bands. The group’s influences were as clear as they got; so much, in fact, that the London trio had trouble establishing their own sound within the post-punk revival scene. Comparisons to pioneering acts from the early 80’s such as Joy Division and The Cure, as well as contemporaries (the most obvious one being Editors) are quickly drawn. McVeigh’s baritone, a requirement for the genre, however emits something more hopeful than the downbeat murmuring of Ian Curtis and Tom Smith, and some of the gloomy melodies are original enough not to immediately write off White Lies as a clone.
Essentially, second full-length
Ritual is more of the same. Attempts of growth are limited to some experiments with synthesizers, particularly
The Power & the Glory, and the more sprawling arrangements like
Peace & Quiet and
Come Down. The subtle symphonic touches to
Strangers result in a definite highlight, among the best songs the band has made thus far, but at the end of the day, they still feel best at home building towards climaxes:
Is Love and lead single
Bigger Than Us apply the same formula as
Death and other highlights off
To Lose My Life, making
Ritual risk-free. Obviously, it’s not going to change anyone’s opinion about the White Lies. Their previous record was a promise of growth, and they haven't delivered on it yet. Hopefully that is up for their next album.
