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On their second album, "Ritual", White Lies explored the darker, more ethereal side of the post-punk revival. Murky and brooding, the album finds the bandmembers developing as songwriters and being rewarded with a deeper sound for their troubles. Stepping out of the shadow of the likes of Interpol and Editors, "Ritual" captures a sound that’s both ethereal and tense, setting the listener adrift in an ominous sea of synthesisers and brooding vocals.
A welcome surprise in all of this comes by way of White Lies' ability to break up the gloom with the occasional soaring moment. Songs like “Strangers” and “Holy Ghost” have almost rhapsodic moments, creating little points of light that guide the listener through the melancholic darkness. This blending of tension and triumph comes together splendidly on “Bad Love,” a song that slowly builds, adding layer after layer until finally exploding into a huge chorus that ties the whole song together beautifully with a mix of triumphant vocals and guttural guitars. These moments add a beautifully dynamic element to Ritual and show that in order to really explore the darkness, you need to have light.
Deluxe editions contain rare live tracks recorded at Hoxton Bar & Kitchen, London as well as Anglo-French Avante-Pop legend Stereolab’s remix of the track ‘Is Love’.
Tracklist
LP
A1. Is Love
A2. Strangers
A3. Bigger Than Us
A4. Peace & Quiet
A5. Streetlights
B1. Holy Ghost
B2. Turn The Bells
B3. The Power & The Glory
B4. Bad Love
B5. Come Down
Deluxe 2LP
A1. Is Love
A2. Strangers
A3. Bigger Than Us
A4. Peace & Quiet
A5. Streetlights
B1. Holy Ghost
B2. Turn The Bells
B3. The Power & The Glory
B4. Bad Love
B5. Come Down
C1. Come Down (Demo)
C2. Strangers (Demo)
C3. The Power & The Glory (Live)
C4. Bigger Than Us (Live)
D1. Streetlights (Live)
D2. Strangers (Live)
D3. Peace & Quiet (Live)
D4. Is Love (Stereolab Remix)
Deluxe 2CD
CD1
1. Is Love
2. Strangers
3. Bigger Than Us
4. Peace & Quiet
5. Streetlights
6. Holy Ghost
7. Turn The Bells
8. The Power & The Glory
9. Bad Love
10. Come Down
CD2
1. Come Down (Demo)
2. Strangers (Demo)
3. The Power & The Glory (Live)
4. Bigger Than Us (Live)
5. Streetlights (Live)
6. Strangers (Live)
7. Peace & Quiet (Live)
8. Is Love (Stereolab Remix)