White Lies- Ritual, release date: 17th January 2011
As with any band that achieves critical acclaim with their debut release White Lies were destined to come up shorthanded with their follow up, ‘Ritual’.
At first sight this viewpoint appears to have materialized, but as with the groups first album, ‘To Lose My Life’, it takes a number of plays to be enchanted by their colossal sound. Like bringing a scraggy looking girlfriend to meet your parents, the first feeling will be that of disappointment, although drawing to the visits end, they will inevitably reach the realization of her charming personality and inner beauty.
Production was handled by Alan Moulder, infamous for his credentials as a indie rock producer, with previous accolades that include working with Depeche Mode and The Smashing Pumpkins. Delivering a more experimental sound than the previous album, one that willingly takes a number of risks, some with success others with defect.
Despite a small number of drawbacks Ritual present a powerful and addictive production, centered around leading tracks, ‘Stranger’, ‘Bigger Than Us’, and ‘Holy Ghost’. With no desire to settle for the small stage, Ritual enhances the groups status within the cornerstone of the UK’s headlining stadium rockers.
