RITUAL

patience is definitely not one of my traits, maybe that explains why i caved in an downloaded white lies' new record ritual. i'm still going to buy it, though. i just couldn't handle people talking about it without having listen to it myself. that being said, it's time to review it (how serious do i sound?)

if there's anything white lies are good at is making records. a lot has being said about their touring abilities, harry's voice does struggle during live performances, but no one can deny that when they deliver a record, they deliver. and ritual is no exception. there are some pleasant surprises, for starters it is evident how much they've grown on their instruments, the sound is sharper and neater than on previous recordings, and i do believe they were trying to take some chances on this one, hence the prevalence of the synth. still, i do prefer the guitar-driven tracks to the synth-driven ones, and maybe that's the one complain i have regarding this record...i do care for some synth every now and then, but the whole record at times seems to be synth-centered which distracts from the lyrics and over-all beat.

speaking of lyrics, i do believe i've said in the past that white lies are not a band one should listen alone with the lights turned out (believe me, i made that mistake...dark thoughts that shall not be mentioned crushed my mind), harry's approach to song-writing and story-telling is dark and tenebrous, yet his lyrics manage to convey a sense of honesty that saves them from being gimmicky. ritual is a clear exponent of that ability, throughout the record we find harry nearly shouting with a clear sense of urgency, second track strangers even delivers the lyric

i've got a sense of urgency

i've gotta make this happen

no stone unturned

i've got a sense of urgency

i've gotta make something happen

no stone unturned 

that sense of urgency carries throughout the record, alongside with the usual darkness white lies has us accustomed to.

for some reason, white lies' approach to love and everything that the feeling itself embodies has always called my attention, i think there's some rawness to the way it is conveyed by them. bad love is not only one of the highlights of the record, but it also has some of the best lyrics, words that show why white lies will never be a love, romantic, sappy band

i've been going to church

but i don't believe

i'll ever clear this pain

walk like a ghost through the streets

soaked from the pouring rain

and i won't ask your god for mercy

my spirits are low, my soul is dirty

low spirit and dirty soul, that we can relate to more than rainbows and butterflies.

this journey comes to an end with come down, the beautifully heart-breaking final track that evidently serves as the closure to this ritual

i know i'd be welcome but tell me how far

ceremonial knocks sound the gaps in my heart-beat

and i'll never be good enough for you or for me

i've buried my pride, i've buried my key  

in conclusion, white lies' ritual is not a record that shines with the promise of leaving you a new approach to life, it does not promise to light up your day or make you feel good when you're feeling down, quite the opposite. but it will more likely force you to encounter the darkest and most hidden places of your heart, mind and soul and that's a promise that cannot be discarded.