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 LoveA2. StrangersA3. Bigger Than UsA4. Peace & QuietA5. StreetlightsB1. Holy GhostB2. Turn The BellsB3. The Power & The GloryB4. Bad LoveB5. Come Down Deluxe 2LP A1. Is LoveA2. StrangersA3. Bigger Than UsA4. Peace & QuietA5. StreetlightsB1. Holy GhostB2. Turn The BellsB3. The Power & The GloryB4. Bad LoveB5. Come DownC1. 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 Love2. Strangers3. Bigger Than Us4. Peace & Quiet5. Streetlights6. Holy Ghost7. Turn The Bells8. The Power & The Glory9. Bad Love10. Come DownCD2 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)
