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Whoever said White Lies can be good must've meant these talented Brits
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Photo courtesy of Jango.com
Sometimes a band comes along that reminds listeners of artists from the past, yet somehow create a sound all their own at the same time. This would be the mystery and enigma of talented newcomers: White Lies. Dark and hauntingly seductive could be a fitting way to describe the sound of this young trio from the U.K. The band who has been called the 2009 band to watch all over the U.K. really is one of those bands that could live up to all the praise worldwide. But much like many other new artists White Lies repeatedly has to fight comparisons to other bands in their case mainly Echo and The Bunnymen, Joy Division, Interpol and the Editors. But the band who are only in their early twenties constantly reiterate they weren’t influenced by those bands, since most of the bands they are compared to were before their time. Their sound seems more like it fits in more with the anthemic, unclassifiable Indie movement that includes predecessors like a Franz Ferdinand, the Killers or The Bravery.
But no matter how much people try to compare them to other bands they have managed to create a sound all their own that is sort of label defying. While other bands have tried to create a similar eerie and shadowy sound but failed, White Lies doesn’t. This could be thanks in part to their songs which don’t ever feel forced or contrived. They seem genuine and come from a soulful place well beyond the band's youth. When White Lies formed in 2007 they came from another band called Fear of Flying where they weren't comfortable with the musical direction of the band. Wanting to branch out and experiment with more of a darker direction they decided that out with the old and in with the new was the best approach. This proved a wise decision because in 2 years the bands has already played huge festivals like Oxegen and Reading in the U.K. and it seems much like many other British imports to the U.S. it shouldn't be long before White Lies is a hit on the U.S. charts too. Plus the rich White Lies sound seems better suited for Mcveigh's deep and stirring voice.
With their brilliant debut CD: To Lose My Life, the band is impressing critics and fans alike with their non-apologetic melancholic sound that mixes post-punk, new wave, indie and electronic music to perfection. The CD actually hit #1 on the British charts and this band seems destined to break out in the U.S. too. Their debut CD is jam packed of tracks that do touch on sorrowful topics like death and war but the songs never borderline Emo and are never depressing, in fact they are the exact opposite. All tunes are delivered with an uplifting sound that is infectious and larger then life. The biggest standout tracks on the CD are "Death" which delivers the theme of love and death with eerie lyrics set to a surprisingly cheerful and hard rocking beat. There is the future classic “E.S.T.” that is a poignant tale of love that is has a haunting beauty to it and really sticks with long after the song stops. The album’s title track "To Lose My Life" is also an amazing creation since it features the chorus “Let’s grow old together and die at the same time” but the music is so lighthearted that it makes you want to get up and dance. It is these type of contradictions that make this band so refreshing. With thrashing guitars and punching drums on most of the songs you get to hear the potential this band has to become future megastars. But from start to finish this CD is a work of musical artwork. “Farewell to The Fairground" is “Nothing To Give” showcases Harry McVeigh’s impressive vocal range that is striking because it is way more mature then his 21 years.
Each tune is a multilayered tapestry that weaves orchestral sounds with the bands astonishing signature sound that is anchored by the deep and haunting voice of McVeigh who also plays guitar. But just as impressive is the sound produced by the extremely talented drummer Jack Brown and Bassist Charles Cave. The fact that this music is the product of a trio is what is most impressive due to the incredible sound produced. The band is also joined by Tommy Bowen on keyboards for live shows. White Lies are developing a reputation as being amazing live performers too. This could catapult them beyond an underground sensation to superstars who one day may have other bands compared to them instead of vice versa. The band who are currently in Europe on tour with a few dates opening for Coldplay are fresh off a recent successful co-headlining tour with Friendly Fires that took them all over the U.S. This Fall they are bound to be even more exposed to American crowds with a few dates opening for Kings of Leon and also a few solo dates such as the stop at Webster Hall in NY on September 25 and also a slot at the Austin City Limits Festival on October 4. The band seems well on their way to superstardom and keep an eye on the White Lies Myspace page for upcoming new tour dates because something says this band is only beginning the band's conquering of the U.S. and will be household names soon.
To purchase the band's CD on Amazon go HERE
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