Ausgegraben

White Lies über Blonde Redhead

White Lies-Schlagzeuger Jack Lawrence-Brown war Platten Einkaufen in San Francisco - und kam zurück mit dem Album 23 von Blonde Redhead. Auf musikexpress.de erklärt er, warum er sich in die Platte verliebt hat.

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In the summer of 2008 I discovered Blonde Redhead. White Lies were in the middle of a short tour of America, and I was spending a morning off in San Francisco's legendry record store, Amoeba. This is where I first noticed 23 by Blonde Redhead. Originally I was drawn to it because of the beautifully crafted multi-layered cover art, but I also had a sense that I knew I already loved this band. I'm not sure why, at that point I wasn't convinced I'd even heard a song by them before.

The album was an impulse buy, as are most of the purchases I make in Amoeba.

I remember uploading the album to my iPod and thinking I should not play it until my next long flight, which was to Germany for Haldern festival a few days later, so I would have time to listen to it properly.

I listened to the album 3 times in a row on the flight to Germany.

From the very first distant piano chord of album's first track - title track "23" - I was hooked. It's one of those rare albums that manages to combine stunning production with immaculate playing and beautiful song-craft. Vocals and lyrics are lost in a sea of reverb drenched guitars and driving but subtle drumming and percussion on first listen, but listen closer and the songs emotion and meaning start to glow through. Some of the songs are paranoid and scared, whereas others are filled with hope and love. The emotions are extremes, but always delivered with an unnerving air of calm.

Sonically this record is a true landmark in the band's career. It shows a real commitment to the overall sound of the record where their previous attempts have fallen short (in my opinion of course), and for a self produced album it's a staggering achievement. It veers towards My Bloody Valentine in places with its massive guitars, but rhythmically feels like Radiohead - dynamic, driving and purposeful.

The brilliant Alan Moulder (who worked with White Lies on our debut) jumped at the chance to mix the record and he adds the finishing touches to what truly is a masterpiece.


Das Londoner Wavepop-Trio White Lies hat dieses Jahr das Album TO LOSE MY LIFE veröffentlicht.

Jack Lawrence-Brown - 15.06.2009

White Lies gibt es bei