In the past, if you’d heard one Lifehouse album, then you’ve pretty much heard them all. But that’s not necessarily the case this time around as Smoke & Mirrors reveals a greater pop/rock influence coming through the band’s familiar alternative rock sound.
In the past, if you’d heard one Lifehouse album, then you’ve pretty much heard them all. But that’s not necessarily the case this time around as Smoke & Mirrors reveals a greater pop/rock influence coming through the band’s familiar alternative rock sound.
Despite sounding typical of Lifehouse’s firmly established song-writing formula, All In is an energetic opener that balances the band’s trademark mix of rock and melodic hooks. The production is a little too sleek and polished, which takes some of the edge off the band’s old sound, but overall the song is definitely one of the album’s stronger moments. Meanwhile, the band offer up a slightly darker and heavier vibe within Nerve Damage, which proves to be another of the album’s shining moments.
Unfortunately, the bulk of the album (Had Enough, the up-tempo Halfway Gone, the title track, Falling In, By Your Side and In Your Skin) is pretty much standard Lifehouse fare, but without that essential spark that made the band’s former material so captivating and successful. Again, much of the problem lies solely with the all-too-perfect and flat sounding production, and the absence of any rawness or warmth to the band’s sound.
That’s not to say that the album is a complete disappointment. The acoustic From Where You Are is beautiful in its simplicity, while It Is What It Is is an absolute gem from vocalist/guitarist Jason Wade and producer/co-writer Jude Cole.
Although it’s far from a Lifehouse classic, fans will no doubt find Wrecking Ball an interesting effort with bassist Bryce Soderberg taking on the lead vocal role, while the drum machine driven and very dance floor influenced Here Tomorrow Gone Today is sure to raise a few eyebrows from fans.
Smoke & Mirrors is a bit of a departure for Lifehouse, yet still quite familiar sounding at the same time. Not everything on here works, but there’s definitely enough here to enjoy for the most part – certainly enough to keep the band afloat until they finally decide whether to push things further the next time around, or stick to their tried and true sound.
Smoke & Mirrors is out NOW on Universal.
