Ritual
by White Lies
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Jan 18, 2011
User Score
7.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 35 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 35
  3. Negative: 3 out of 35
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  1. Ricko
    Aug 11, 2019
    7
    People know what to expect with White Lies. "Ritual" fits in nicely with the rest of their discography. Another solid and satisfying listen. Not as many standout tracks as on other albums by them but overall this is a well put together and very well produced set of songs.
  2. Chris_A
    Aug 19, 2013
    7
    A reasonable album, but not as good as the first album, The album seems to be missing a really decent tune that To Lose My Life had with Death. Overall though it's not as bad as the critics say.
  3. safcgac
    Oct 26, 2011
    10
    Do not listen to the critics. There is a reason this band play sell out shows and this is it. Totally immense. The album starts strong and it ends strong, it just never lets up. A must have.
  4. alexwrands
    May 31, 2011
    9
    "Ritual" is a great second album for the trio from Shepherd's Bush known as White Lies. It continues to bring the anthemic, stadium sounding noise, combined with soul lifting rock, which makes for fantastic listening. This band are certainly on their way to greatness
  5. kimmend
    Mar 3, 2011
    9
    Strong, mature album. Most of the songs are single material, but there are also a couple of misses, unfortunately. Overall a great follow up to the debut.
  6. coldplaz
    Jan 22, 2011
    8
    Not as good as TLML but definitely not that bad!
    so track by track:
    Is love? - boring from the start but then it shows as one of the album's highlights
    strangers - catchy but unoriginal and repetitive
    bigger than us - great choice for first single one of better songs
  7. Triatsila
    Jan 22, 2011
    9
    I'm a huge WL fan and this album didn't disappoint. They've changed they're style a bit and some of the songs seem almost positive on this record. I do miss their melancholic tones from their first album though. If you're a fan you will already have the album. Some songs flop which is disappointing and I'd say that the album is better received when listened as a whole and not just the oddI'm a huge WL fan and this album didn't disappoint. They've changed they're style a bit and some of the songs seem almost positive on this record. I do miss their melancholic tones from their first album though. If you're a fan you will already have the album. Some songs flop which is disappointing and I'd say that the album is better received when listened as a whole and not just the odd track here and there.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 24
  3. Negative: 2 out of 24
  1. Mojo
    Apr 4, 2011
    80
    The album delivers on the promise. {Feb 2011, p.104]
  2. Beats Per Minute
    Feb 18, 2011
    74
    Ritual is an enthralling album, highlighting a band flexing their musical muscles, trying to grow and add new sounds to their existing palette.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    Feb 1, 2011
    80
    The Ealing doom merchants come of age. [Feb. 2011, p. 110]
See all critic reviews »