White Lies but not as you know it

What happens you mix the influences of Neil Young, Leonard Cohen, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits and Ryan Adams with a childhood based with in Cork? Usually a poorly written blog, but in this case a treat for all singer/songwriter lovers in the form of Mick Flannery's second album "White Lies". An album which has garnered much local and national air-play through the pop driven beat of "Tomorrow's Papers" and as a result generated much interest in the shy Blarney stonemason.

The album belies the age Flannery with blues tinged songs covering a varied series of topics from a one night stand ("Goodbye") to world slowly consuming itself with violence ("Wait Here"). The album improves with every listen and this is really due to the quality of songwriting. The album opens with the stunning "Safety Rope" ("I want my innocence back, I want my confidence back, I don't want to feel like this no more") and just continues on an upwards spiral. This is the kind of album the alights the music scene and is destined to be an international seller


Currently touring Ireland, Mick plays De Barra's in Clonakilty 29-Jan. Even better live its a gig that shouldn't be missed. Here is an acoustic performance of "Wish You Well".

First Post and it starts with White Lies

Its a new year and according to every music journal in the world there appears to be a contender for album of the year. After much hype and airplay (thank you NME) White Lies release their debut album "To Lose My Life". The album harks back to the sound of Joy Division and can find comparisons with more modern artists such as Editors and Stellastar*. Doom laden lyrics and base driven tracks are the modus operandi of this group and a hype warranting appearance with Jools Holland Later On... have set the band up to be a fixture on the summer festival scene with main stage credits surely beckoning.

The album lacks a certain sense of immediacy but after a few plays it does grow on you while never hitting the heights of the Editors debut. The sound and content are relatively dark but nothing that hasn't been seen before. The opening track and first single is the stand out of the album however the majority of the album fails to replicate the simplicity and impact of "Death". "I picture my own, cause fear has got a hold on me" will never be considered for fell good lyric of the century but it does give a sense of where the band is coming from.

That being said the album isn't a complete mess and can be considered a qualified success. It's a solid start but it doesn't deserve the band being hailed as musical saviours. However no doubt airplay, fame and money await for White Lies, but don't believe the hype...

Check out the video that's been played non-stop on pretty much every alternative music channel on earth, White Lies "Death"