White Lies - To Lose My Life

'To Lose my life' is the debut album by London based White Lies. In 2009, White Lies were arguably one of the hardest working bands in Britain. With sources counting up to 31 festival appearances, a support slot with Coldplay and headline tours of their own. I saw them twice in 2009 and both times I wasn't there to see them. T in the Park I was waiting to see someone else and supporting Coldplay where I always like to check out the support acts. I thought they were ok but would have helped if I had heard their album beforehand. Well now I've got it and our survey says...

This album is magnificent! Comprises of 10 tracks and there is not one bad song on it. Each track is a crowd pleasing anthem. Easy comparisons can be made to Editors and Interpol's more accessible stuff. But the reality is each of these songs has got the White Lies stamp on it.

Obviously though like any album there are going to be some tracks you like better than others. Its just in this case the others still rank pretty highly. If I had to choose my favourites it would be 'Death', 'A place to hide', 'Unfinished business' and 'Farewell to the fairground'. Yes I know that's 40% of the album but I just love those tracks in particular. They represent just why they have been invited to so many festivals and even though this is their first album they are coming on stage later and later as they move up the bills. I think the biggest variable with any band is the singer. Although you can get many degrees of talent with people playing different instruments. The singer's voice can be the big differentiator which is definitely the case with Harry McVeigh. The good thing about him as well is that the singing is not forced like some and just seems like his natural voice which of course means he sings well live. He does sound a bit like Tom Smith from Editors but with the difference in the tunes it makes WL stand out..

Now the other tracks; I have tried to look for flaws in these tracks even the more downbeat 'Nothing to Give', but I can't because it adds a new dimension to the album therefore giving the album a nice balance between upbeat and downbeat tunes. I think its of those albums you'll either you'll love it all or hate it. If you don't like one song I would not go any further in investigating the album. However if you like just one tune a bit, that song and the rest of the album will just grow and grow on you.

Overall this is by far the best debut album I have heard in 2009 in my opinion and is definitely in my top 10 albums of 2009. Each lyric I sang with such purpose and conviction and each note strum and till its note perfect. The only thing is where do they go from here, for their second album? No idea, but looking forward to it already!