White Lies - To Lose my Life

"To Lose my Life" is the debut album by London based band, 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 on Coldplay's stadium tour and a headline tour 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 the other time I was seeing Coldplay. I thought they were ok but would've helped if I had heard the album beforehand. Well now I've got it and the survey says...

This album is absolutely magnificent. 10 tracks and 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 have the White Lies stamp on it.  Obviously though like any album, there are going to be some tracks you like better than others. It's just in this case the other tracks still rank pretty high.

If I had to choose my favourites it would probably be "Death", "A place to hide", "Unfinished Business" and "Fair well to the fairground". Yes I know that's 40% of the album but I just love these tracks. They represent just why they have been invited to so many festivals. These are catchy tunes which are easy to sing along to; exactly what you want at a festival! I think the biggest variable with bands is the singer. Although you can get many degrees of talent with different instruments. The singer's voice can be the big differentiators which is definitely the case with Harry McVeigh. He does sound a bit like Tom Smith from the Editors but with the different feel of the songs making White Lies 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 and works so well! I think its one of those albums you'll either love all of it or hate all of it.

Overall this is by far the best debut I have heard in 2009 and is definitely in my top 10 albums of 2009. Each lyric is sang with such purpose and meaning and everything else combines to make this absolute belter of an album.  The only thing is, where do they go from here for their second album? No idea but looking forward to it already!