White Lies, anyone?

[oceanus83]

Ready for another throwback to the 80s? I did a board search, but couldn't find anything, so decided to post. I discovered this new band on MTV couple of weeks ago (I believe it was mid March, haha) and I am already swooning over them. While I do love Interpol, The Killers, The Editors and such, there's just something else about White Lies that did something to me when I first watched/listened. The lead singer's voice...he just sounds like he was singing in a different time, before I was born or something. *lol* Some nostalgic quality about it, although he's so young. Some say he sounds like Ian Curtis of Joy Division, but I don't really think so...to be honest, I can't tell who he sounds like. The music, the lyrics, the voice, the music videos. Just haunting. This music is probably acquired like everything is, since people have varied musical tastes anyway. Maybe when they get bigger or gain few more years of experience in the industry, someone'll bring them to Singapore for a concert. I'm just glad they're doing so well now. They've already conquered the U.S. Best album of 2009 for me. For now. We'll see as the year progresses if there'll be anymore.

http://www.myspace.com/whitelies

To Lose My Life:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6jRdEy1dGI

Farewell To The Fairground:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dohJLd3IQmk

Love Lockdown (Kanye West cover live):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7v5f54u2lw&feature=related

Not a fan of Kanye or his music, but I love this version. It's raw and it's great.

Death:

http://www.nixonnoxin.com/videos/WhiteLies_Death.mov

 

[oceanus83]

I can't believe I still have to bump my own thread. This isn't even a buy/sell thread...people are obviously viewing it, but maybe this'll work?

*bump*

 

[Danelectrico]

yes, pretty decent band for sure, worth watching to see how they'll progress. Strong first half of album, tapers off in the middle and peaks again from Farewell To The Fairground till the end - great closing tracks. On the whole, definitely a step up from other bands who've been trying to cop that post punk vibe eg Hearts Of Black Science, White Rose Monument, The Dark Romantics etc. Still, they can't beat Editors for all round awesomeness!

Some other really good bands in this vein are The Airbone Toxic Event and The Cinematics, if you haven't already heard those. And of course, early Echo & The Bunnymen, Mission Of Burma, Gang Of Four, Wire, The Alarm, New Model Army and U2 are definitely worth checking out if you're into tracing the roots back a couple generations.

 

[growlingsoulpup]

Holy shit he really does sound like Ian Curtis.

 

[oceanus83]

yes, pretty decent band for sure, worth watching to see how they'll progress. Strong first half of album, tapers off in the middle and peaks again from Farewell To The Fairground till the end - great closing tracks. On the whole, definitely a step up from other bands who've been trying to cop that post punk vibe eg Hearts Of Black Science, White Rose Monument, The Dark Romantics etc. Still, they can't beat Editors for all round awesomeness!

Some other really good bands in this vein are The Airbone Toxic Event and The Cinematics, if you haven't already heard those. And of course, early Echo & The Bunnymen, Mission Of Burma, Gang Of Four, Wire, The Alarm, New Model Army and U2 are definitely worth checking out if you're into tracing the roots back a couple generations.

Actually, I haven't listened to the album yet. Bought it 2 weeks ago and got caught up with Coldplay's concert. *lol* But I'm taking my time and watching their videos and listening to their B-sides first, which are excellent. I wish they'd included them on the album.

I love Echo & The Bunnymen, Editors and U2. But I am still liking White Lies better than The Editors so far (though people are saying they sound similar).

Thanks so much for the other recommends!

 

[oceanus83]

Holy shit he really does sound like Ian Curtis.

He sounds like a lot of different people. He even sounds a bit like Marian Gold from Alphaville. *lol* I'm getting confused with hearing all the comparisons. I think it's just the baritone in his voice.

 

[EngelFaeuste]

 

[oceanus83]

Woah, that's massive!

Gotta love House, though.

 

[Danelectrico]

If you've bought the album, you definitely should give it a listen. It's actually a really strong album with no filler tracks...while the middle bit plods along a tad they're all still pretty good songs and you can actually get through the album without hitting the skip button.

I still prefer the Editors, but I have to admit White Lies are catching up real fast. I think they'll be massive in a year if they ride the wave like they do....there's already so many indications...how many bands do you know play their first gig in Feb 2008 and then festivals like Reading and Fuji Rock just a couple months later.

You're right it's a baritone voice, not entirely an Ian Curtis copy, but i reckon if you blended the Curtis voice with Julian Cope (Teardrop Explodes) it's quite a dead ringer.

Another band in this vein you really should check out that I didn't mention is Dragons.

I'm gonna go hunt for the b-sides if you reckon they're good.

Cheers!

 

[soulalt]

powerofpop review, what else?

http://www.powerofpop.com/?p=1445

 

[Danelectrico]

Pretty well put Kevin...I also agree that what gives White Lies the edge over their other peers ie post-punk / new wave revivalists is their superb sense of melody - their tunes are just better. I'd also argue that White Lies have a great sense of arrangements - their buildups are cathartic and anthemic (cue in Death) and proof of their ability to execute, competently, simple but effective dramatic tension and release.

They're bordering a little close to one trick ponies for now, but they do that trick pretty darn well to me. Very impressive given their age. I'm really looking forward to how they'll run with this and where this will take them on their sophomore outing.